Developing Reversal Theory: Some Suggestions for Future Research

Abstract

Reversal theory has generated research in many different areas of psychology, but in much of this research, the theory has been a tool rather than the topic of the research. The central theme of this paper is the need for greater attention to fundamental research to test the theory itself. In particular, it is argued that there is need for research on the reversal process (and especially on the causes of reversal including frustration and satiation), on motivational states (including behavioral indeterminacy), personality dynamics (including reversibility), and psychodiversity (including microclimate). All these areas, and others, are crying out for research, as is the need to study all four pairs of states and not just the telic-paratelic pair. Reversal theory can also be seen as a representative of the paradigm of "structural phenomenology." As an exemplar of this paradigm, reversal theory has much to offer psychology beyond its status as a theory of motivation, emotion and personality. One of the great attractions of reversal theory is that it provides a unitary way of approaching motivation, emotion and personality, showing how the same basic processes work themselves out in seemingly endless variations. This width is a great strength in comparison with other more ad hoc theories in each area, and provides an unusually integrative approach to psychology. Consider some of the many different specific topics that have been addressed by, and integrated into, the theory. These include (in no special order):-tal relations, and military combat. Some of these topics, of course, have attracted considerably more reversal theory attention than others, especially sport in its various aspects, stress and health, and addiction. Also some of the research has been more scholarly and conceptual than empirical. But however one looks at it, and taken overall, this is an impressive list.