Does the History of Psychology Have a Future?

Abstract

The history of psychology tends to be accorded a purely pedagogical role within the discipline rather than being seen as a possible source of substantive contributions. This reflects a type of mobilization of tradition that is characteristic of the natural rather than the human sciences. The shallow history of the scientific review helps to organize consensus while critical history represents a threat to the moral community of researchers. However, there are developments which provide a more favourable context for critical historical scholarship. These include: the emergence of a somewhat disenchanted view of science; the rise of feminist scholarship; and the international diversification of psychology. The potential effects of critical historical studies on conceptions of the subject-matter of psychology, on the understanding of its practices and on the nature of its social contribution are briefly discussed.