Paradigms in Theory Construction

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiv

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2. Introductory Background

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. The Role of Paradigms in Science and Theory Construction

      • William A. Hillix, Luciano L’Abate

      Pages 3-17

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   3. The Role of Paradigms in Science: A Historical Perspective

      • Corinna Guerra, Mario Capitelli, Savino Longo

      Pages 19-30

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   4. Evolving Scientific Paradigms: Retrospective and Prospective

      • Willis F. Overton

      Pages 31-66

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3. Paradigms in the Arts and Social Sciences

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 67-67

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   2. Anthropology

      • Luciano L’Abate

      Pages 69-89

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   3. Parallel Paradigms of Artists and Authors

      • Laura G. Sweeney

      Pages 91-104

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   4. Economics

      • Luciano L’Abate

      Pages 105-123

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   5. Education

      • Laura G. Sweeney

      Pages 125-145

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   6. Sociology

      • Alberto L’Abate

      Pages 147-165

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4. General-Integrative Paradigms in Psychology

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 167-167

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   2. Biopsychosocial

      • Beatrice L. Wood

      Pages 169-186

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   3. Interbehaviorism

      • Mitch J. Fryling, Linda J. Hayes

      Pages 187-205

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   4. Reflections on Personality Systematics and a Unified Clinical Science

      • Jeffrey J. Magnavita

      Pages 207-216

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   5. The Systemic Paradigm: The Intersubjective–Narrative Approach Versus the Relational–Generational One

      • Vittorio Cigoli, Eugenia Scabini

      Pages 217-234

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   6. Constructivism

      • Alexander Riegler

      Pages 235-255

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   7. Materialism

      • Luciano L’Abate

      Pages 257-269

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5. Particular-Specific Paradigms in Psychology

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 271-271

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6. Particular-Specific Paradigms in Psychology

   1. Explicating and Exemplifying Empiricist and Cognitivist Paradigms in the Study of Human Learning

      • Sandra M. Loughlin, Patricia A. Alexander

      Pages 273-296

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Within the field of psychology there is a proliferation of paradigms, theories, models, and dimensions without an underlying conceptual framework or theory. This conclusion has been reached by representatives of many different psychological specialties. In response to this inconsistency this book presents a hierarchical framework about important theoretical issues that are present in psychological thinking. These issues concern definitions of three major theoretical concepts in theory and practice: (a) paradigms, (b) theories, and (c) models. It focuses on defining, comparing, and contrasting these three conceptual terms. This framework clarifies differences among paradigms, theories, and models, terms which have become increasingly confused in the psychological literature. Paradigms are usually confused with theories or with models while theories are confused with models. Examples of misuses of these terms suggest the need for a hierarchical structure that views paradigms as conceptual constructions overseeing a variety of psychological theories and verifiable models.

• Models of psychology
• Paradigms in psychology
• Personality psychology
• Psychological theory
• Systems theory

• , Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA

  Luciano L'Abate

Since his retirement in 1990, Luciano L’Abate, Ph.D. has been Professor Emeritus at Georgia State University where he was previously a Professor of Psychology beginning in 1965. L’Abate has been an editorial board member of many national and foreign professional and scientific journals, as well as a consultant to various publishing houses. He is the author and co-author of over 300 papers, chapters, and book reviews in professional journals in addition to authoring/editing 34 books. His work has been translated into Chinese, Japanese, Finnish, Spanish, French, Polish, and German languages. Dr. L’Abate is the recipient of many awards including "Family Psychologist of the Year for 1994" by Division 43 of the American Psychological Association, "Outstanding Contribution" by the Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and "Outstanding Citizen" by the House of Representatives in the State of Georgia. He has also held workshops and lectured extensively in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, Spain, and Italy. Dr. L’Abate has spent the last several years involved full-time in writing and research since his retirement from Georgia State University.

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