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Theory & Psychology
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Interpreting Human Kinds

Beginnings of a Hermeneutic Psychology

Jack Martin

Simon Fraser University, Jack_Martin{at}sfu.ca

Jeff Sugarman

Simon Fraser University, sugarman{at}sfu.ca

During the past decade, a number of theoretical psychologists have argued that the subject matter of psychology is distinct from that of the physical sciences in ways that require interpretation as a method of inquiry. Rejecting what they regard as a mistaken scientism in the conduct of traditional psychological research, these hermeneutically inspired theorists also have been critical of what they regard as overly strong anti-realist, anti-subjectivist and relativistic aspects of postmodern social constructionism as it has been developed by some psychologists. In this article, we elaborate a distinction between natural and human kinds, summarize concerns that have been expressed with respect to Gergen's social constructionism, review recent attempts to develop a hermeneutically informed interpretative psychology, and highlight central features of this developing approach to psychological inquiry.

Key Words: hermeneutics • human kinds • interpretative inquiry • scientism • social constructionism

Theory & Psychology, Vol. 11, No. 2, 193-207 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/0959354301112003
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