The Strength of Weak Points
On the Contribution of Substantial Heuristics to Theory Development, Illustrated by Freud's Case
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 20401445 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Geert Panhuysen (Utrecht University, the Netherlands), Geert E M Panhuysen (Utrecht University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1995 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 171-194 |
| Publication date | 1995-05-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Theory & Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0959-3543 • E-ISSN: 1461-7447 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/0959354395052001 |
| OpenAlex | W2163534264 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 13 |
It is argued that the substantial heuristics used by scientists offer the most adequate explanations of theoretical developments in science. In contrast to formal or procedural heuristics (such as generate and test), substantial heuristics are the implications for problem-solving which can be derived from the theoretical principles on the basis of which scientists work (such as conservation notions). They provide directives indicating where to find problems (such as violations of conservation principles) and where to search for solutions. Reconstruction of the substantial heuristics in a particular domain not only leads to a deeper historical understanding, but also enables theoretical psychologists themselves to make a contribution towards theory development. This general thesis is illustrated by references to the work of Freud. To a considerable extent, the birth and growth of psychoanalysis can be understood from Freud's psychological transformation of biomedical heuristics. The focus is on contributions of the traditional aetiological search scheme. This scheme requires the specification of external noxious influences and constitutional weak points. Freud did so, again and again
Epistemology · Heuristics · Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology · Computer Science · Mathematics · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science
Scientific Discovery
II—Criticism and the Methodology of Scientific Research Programmes
Falsification and the Methodology of Scientific Research Programmes
The Methodology of Scientific Research Programmes
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Scientific Discovery by Computer as Empirical Refutation of the Strong Programme
Proofs and Refutations (I)
Logic of Discovery or Psychology of Invention
From tools to theories
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,08 |
| Citation span | 2013 - 2013 (1) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |