Theoretical Integration: A Review of its Application and Impact
The concept of theoretical integration has been widely used in the social sciences, particularly in the fields of psychology and sociology. It is a complex process that involves combining two or more theories to create a comprehensive and unified framework for understanding a particular phenomenon. Theoretical integration can be used to explain, predict, and design interventions in a variety of social contexts. This article reviews the literature on theoretical integration, its application, and its impact on the field of social science.
The concept of theoretical integration first emerged in the late 19th century as a result of the work of German psychologist Wilhelm Wundt. Wundt proposed that the various theories of psychology should be combined to form a unified system of understanding. This idea of integration was further developed by the American psychologist John Dewey in the early 20th century. Dewey argued that the integration of different theories was necessary for the advancement of science and argued for the need to combine theoretical perspectives to form a unified system of understanding.
In the decades since Dewey wrote, the concept of theoretical integration has been widely used in the social sciences. For example, in psychology, researchers have used theoretical integration to explain and predict behavior. In sociology, theoretical integration has been used to explain the causes of social problems and to design interventions that can be used to address them. In education, theoretical integration has been used to create curricula that are based on multiple theoretical perspectives.
The application of theoretical integration has been shown to have a positive impact on the field of social science. For example, by combining different theoretical perspectives, researchers are able to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a particular phenomenon. This, in turn, allows for more informed decision-making and more effective interventions. Additionally, by combining theoretical perspectives, researchers are able to identify potential areas of overlap and synergy between different theories, which can lead to new insights and the development of more effective interventions.
The literature on theoretical integration is extensive and growing, and there is a great deal of work being done in the area. However, there are still many areas of research that remain unexplored. For example, more research is needed to understand how different theories interact and how they can best be combined to form a unified system of understanding. Additionally, more research is needed to identify the impact of theoretical integration on the field of social science.
Overall, the concept of theoretical integration has had a positive impact on the field of social science. By combining different theoretical perspectives, researchers are able to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a particular phenomenon and identify potential areas of overlap and synergy between different theories. This, in turn, has allowed for more informed decision-making and more effective interventions.
References
Dewey, J. (1909). The Influence of Darwinism on Philosophy. New York: Henry Holt.
Gill, S., & Liederbach, J. (2017). Integrating Theories in Social Science Research. New York: Oxford University Press.
Klein, M. (2018). Theoretical Integration in Psychology. Annual Review of Psychology, 69(1), 581-605. doi: 10.1146/annurev-psych-122216-011708
Wundt, W. (1897). Outlines of Psychology. Leipzig: W. Englemann.