The individual and society in psychological theory

Journal/Book: Theor Psychol. 2000; 10: 2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA. Sage Publications Inc. 107-116.

Abstract: The first part of this article examines the ontological and epistemological presuppositions of various theories concerned with the interdependence between the individual and society. It shows that the majority of theories, namely those of the 'constructivist turn', tend to reverse to ontologies which separate the individual and society into two independent units. They cannot, therefore, adequately examine the dynamic relationships between the individual and society in terms of their mutual change. The second part of the article draws attention to theories which adopt the ontologies of interdependent oppositions coming from dialectics. It is suggested that dynamic semiotics based on the study of signs and representations provides a plausible theoretical alternative to all areas of psychology concerned with the study of social change.

Note: Article Markova I, Univ Stirling, Dept Psychol, Stirling FK9 4LA, SCOTLAND

Keyword(s): atomism; dynamic semiotics; the individual and society; interdependent oppositions; oppositions in tension; postmodernism; social representation

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