Research Traditions, Analysis, and Synthesis in Social Psychological Theories

Abstract

The decreased attenttion to dissonance theory in present-day social psychology is used to illustrate extratheoretical considerations that influence acceptance of a formulation in the scientific community. The authors suggest that dissonance theory currently receives less attention because its motivational emphasis is outside the core assumptions in the research tradition of the now dominant cognitive orientation They also believe social psychology currently favors an analytic over a synthetic approach to research and theorizing, leading to a decreased interest in "big picture" formulations covering many apparently different domains. The condition-seeking research strategy favored by many investigators is discussed. Although this strategy does not necessarily preclude a synthetic approach, it does encourage condition seeking because of its concern with conditions limiting the operation of a particular phenomenon. Finally, attention is given to other considerations (e.g., desire to be innovative) lessening the field's interest in existing theories.