Fostering Dialogue in Psychology: The Costs of Dogma and Theoretical Preciousness

Methodological discourse has the potential to divide or unite research psychologists depending on our approach and understanding of each other’s work. We note the various ways in which genuine dialogue between qualitative and quantitative researchers has been hampered by dogmatic adherence to certain theoretical and epistemological stances. We point to a corresponding phenomenon in the theoretical orientations of clinical psychologists in which cognitive-behavioral therapy is often polarized with humanistic perspectives regarding the approach to psychotherapy. The nature of such polemics within the field of psychology will be discussed along with an example taken from the authors’ personal experience of dialoguing across methodological difference. Finally, we will discuss practical suggestions for how we can increase openness and genuine dialogue between qualitative and quantitative perspectives in psychology.