“说明”或是“理解”——试论心理学中两种方法论路线之争

The Methodological Debate between Explanation and Understanding in Psychology

"说明"与"理解"代表着心理学中两条对立的方法论路线。文章分析了两者的含义及其对立的具体表现,认为两者的对立在心理学中经历了构造心理学的实证主义经验描述与格式塔学派的现象学直观描述相对立、行为主义心理学的演绎型说明与精神分析的符号性理解相对立、认知心理学的模型论说明与人本主义的移情、目的论理解相对立等三个发展阶段。指出说明与理解对立的根源在于科学与人文两种文化传统及心理独特的矛盾性质,将来的心理学研究不能只择其一,而是要针对研究对象的具体特点,找寻合适的平衡点。

The paper analyzes the two opposite methodological approaches of explanation and understanding in psychology. It accounts for the oppositions in the three phases of psychological development; positivist experiential description of structural psychology and intuitive description of Gestalt＇ s phenomenology, deductive explanation of behavioristic psychology and symbolic understanding of psychoanalysis, and model-based explanation of cognitive psychology and empathic and teleological comprehension of humanism. The author claims that the conflicts are rooted in the nature of mind and cultural traditions of science and humanity, therefore proposing that the alternative to the study of psychology be finding a balance in methodology.