Blowing Up a Growing Trend or Building a New Theory?

Abstract

Initially I tried to suppress the above question when reading Jaan Valsiner’s chapter on the co-constructionist perspective as it emerged in developmental psychology. I wished to do this for at least three reasons: for the lack of time, for my presumably modest knowledge in the philosophy of science and last but not least, for my positively biased attitude toward the author who is a well-known and renowned exponent of developmental psychology. I hold his contribution to the analysis of cardinal issues of developmental psychology and history of psychology, especially his papers on Vygotsky and Baldwin and also his book, Culture and the development of children’s action, in high esteem. However, in spite of my positive attitude toward the author, all the avoiding maneuvers of my mind (e. g. my best intention to be satisfied with shedding light on some aspects or representatives neglected by the author in his analysis) have failed; and the question, expressed in the title, has remained challenging for me.