Analysis, Synthesis, and the Treasuring of the Old
The author favors a laissez-faire, "circus tent" approach to theory building and testing. Accordingly; he believes that analysis and synthesis are each of great importance in the development of theory -and would not suggest that scholars focus on one or the other. Unfortunately; there are serious problems in the research process in social psychology that hinder synthesis. These include a slavish fascination with "fashion, " which results in a tendency to neglect solid research and interesting theories simply because they are more than 10 years old. Unless this tendency is corrected, advances will continue to be disjointed. Reasons for this state of affairs are discussed.