This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Berkowitz, L. Articles by Devine, P. G. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Berkowitz, L. Articles by Devine, P. G. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Research Traditions, Analysis, and Synthesis in Social Psychological Theories

The Case of Dissonance Theory

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Patricia G. Devine

University of Wisconsin, Madison

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.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Stone Self-Consistency for Low Self-Esteem in Dissonance Processes: The Role of Self-Standards Pers Soc Psychol Bull, July 1, 2003; 29(7): 846 - 858. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. Simon and K. J. Holyoak Structural Dynamics of Cognition: From Consistency Theories to Constraint Satisfaction Personality and Social Psychology Review, November 1, 2002; 6(4): 283 - 294. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. Harmon-Jones Cognitive Dissonance and Experienced Negative Affect: Evidence that Dissonance Increases Experienced Negative Affect Even in the Absence of Aversive Consequences Pers Soc Psychol Bull, December 1, 2000; 26(12): 1490 - 1501. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. M. Burger The Foot-in-the-Door Compliance Procedure: A Multiple-Process Analysis and Review Personality and Social Psychology Review, November 1, 1999; 3(4): 303 - 325. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. C. Sherman, A. M. Buddie, K. L. Dragan, C. M. End, and L. J. Finney Twenty Years of PSPB: Trends in Content, Design, and Analysis Pers Soc Psychol Bull, February 1, 1999; 25(2): 177 - 187. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. D. Munro and P. H. Ditto Biased Assimilation, Attitude Polarization, and Affect in Reactions to Stereotype-Relevant Scientific Information Pers Soc Psychol Bull, June 1, 1997; 23(6): 636 - 653. [Abstract]

				H. T. Reis and J. Stiller Publication Trends in JPSP: A Three-Decade Review Pers Soc Psychol Bull, August 1, 1992; 18(4): 465 - 472. [Abstract]