Cultural complexities and scientific development.
Methodological issues in psychology consist of a key aspect for the scientific development of the discipline. In this paper I elaborate on the reasons why I partially agree with Toomela's ideas, and why I also disagree with some of his arguments. The convergence refers to the need for a radical change concerning the widespread use of methodologies that has been typical of mainstream psychology, which still flavors too positivist and pseudo-quantitative, overlooking the central relevance of theory for scientific development. The divergence resides in Toomela's insistence to oppose what he designates as "the North American" to "the German-Austrian" scientific thinking: from my perspective, the misuse of cultural categories can only lead to misguided and unconstructive dichotomies that entails a naive concept of culture, and do not contribute to scientific development. From a contemporary systemic approach, complex issues deserve more sophisticated analysis.
Branco
Angela Uchoa
AU
Instiruto de Psicologia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70900, Brazil. ambranco@terra.com.br
D001317:Austria; D035841:Behavioral Research / Q000266:history*; D001525:Behavioral Sciences / Q000266:history*; D003469:Culture; D005858:Germany; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008606:Mental Processes; D009656:North America; D011589:Psychology, Experimental / Q000266:history*; D011593:Psychology, Social / Q000266:history*