Reflective practice: a critique of the work of Argyris and Schön

Abstract

The seminal work of Argyris and Schön on action theories, technical rationality and reflective practice is reviewed; it is argued that their work reflects important inconsistencies between their theorizing and the pedagogical interventions they implemented/recommended. The implications of the results of these inconsistencies, which appear mirrored in nurse-education programmes in the United Kingdom and Australia, are discussed. Tentative suggestions for the provision of a more adequate practical pedagogy are included.