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Disciplinary psychology has failed to achieve a coherent conception of human agency. Instead, it oscillates between two differing conceptions of agency that are equally untenable: a scientistic, reductive approach to choice and action, and an instrumental approach that celebrates a romantic notion of free will. This book examines theoretical, philosophical psychology and argues for a historically and socioculturally situated human capacity for choosing and acting in ways not entirely determined by culture and/or biology. The authors present a detailed developmental theory of how agentic capability emerges from the pre-reflective activity of humans in a real physical and social world. Implications of the theory are considered for psychological research and practice, and for the broader socio-political impact of disciplinary psychology in Western liberal democracies.
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PSYCHOLOGY and the question of AGENCY SUNY series, ALTERNATIVES IN PSYCHOLOGY Michael A. Wallach, editor Q PSYCHOLOGY and the question of AGENCY Jack Martin, Jeff Sugarman, Janice Thompson STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK PRESS Merleau-Ponty, and Levinas Published by STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK PRESS, ALBANY © 2003 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. For information, address State University of New York Press 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207 Production, Laurie Searl Marketing, Fran Keneston Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Martin, Jack, 1950– Psychology and the question of agency / Jack Martin, Jeff Sugarman, and Janice Thompson. p. cm. — (SUNY series, alternatives in psychology) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7914-5725-7 (alk. paper) — ISBN 0-7914-5726-5 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Autonomy (Psychology) I. Sugarman, Jeff, 1955– II. Thompson, Janice, 1964– III. Title. IV. Series. BF575.A88 M37 2003 155.2—dc21 2002075854 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Contents Preface ONE ` TWO ix PSYCHOLOGY AND THE QUESTION OF AGENCY Some Relevant Background for What Follows Psychology’s Disavowal of Agency The Basic Error Method over Substance Aspirations REDUCTIONISM IN PSYCHOLOGY A Historical Sketch Identity versus Requirement Omissions Summary and Implications Research Practices and the Construction of Pseudo-Psychological Kinds Causal Woes Variability and Its Statistical Treatment Manufacturing and Generalizing Psychological Entities The Role of Professional Psychology The Example of Self-Concept Another Kind of Reductionism in Psychology An Antidote in Brief 1 3 8 10 12 14 17 18 20 21 24 25 28 29 31 33 35 39 44 vi THREE FOUR FIVE Psychology and the Question of Agency BETWEEN HARD DETERMINISM AND RADICAL FREEDOM Definitions and Distinctions A Critical Consideration of Some Notable Attempts at Soft Determinism Philosophical Considerations Psychological Considerations Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory Theory of Mind and Intentional Self-Development Theoretical Psychology of Agency Hermeneutics and Agency 49 50 58 59 THE UNDERDETERMINATION AND IRREDUCIBILITY OF AGENCY 81 45 46 63 67 73 An Argument for the Underdetermination of Agency Structure of the Argument Against Full Physical–Biological Determinism Against Full Sociocultural Determinism Against Randomness and Unconscious Processes Alone Agency as