Commentary 1

functions and trends in the history of psychology

Annette Mülberger

pp. 229-233

in: Sven Hroar Klempe, Roger Smith (eds), Centrality of history for theory construction in psychology, Berlin, Springer, 2016

Abstract

In this chapter, I comment on the ten aspects listed by Roger Smith to show the usefulness of historical research in psychology. Thereby, I characterize and evaluate different historiographic trends. History should be seen as a way of acquiring perspective, and it should offer a conceptual tool for comparison between different epistemological approaches. It is also instrumental in analysis of the social dynamics involved in knowledge construction. In general, therefore, a connection between the history of psychology and the broader field of the history of science seems fruitful.

Cited authors

Smith Roger