The Research Programme Subjective Theories

Abstract

Subjective theories are very complex cognitive structures: they are highly individual, relatively stable, and relatively enduring. Examples are learners' and teachers' general beliefs about language, and about learning and teaching. In psychology and educational science it has been demonstrated that subjective theories are an important tool for the explanation and prediction of human action and thinking, and a special methodology for their analysis has been developed. It is characteristic of this methodology that it is based on both hermeneutics and empiricism, which are integrated into a coherent framework. In the present article, it is argued that the concept of subjective theory and the corresponding methodology have a considerable potential for second language research. The methodology is discussed at some length, and its application to second language research is shown.