William E. Smythe

Owning the Story: Ethical Considerations in Narrative Research

This article argues that traditional, regulative principles of research ethics offer insufficient guidance for research in the narrative study of lives. These principles presuppose an implicit epistemology that conceives of research participants as data sources, a conception that is argued not tenable for narrative research. The case is made by drawing on recent discussions of research ethics in the qualitative and narrative research literature. This article shows that narrative ethics is inextricably entwined with epistemological issues--namely, issues of narrative ownership and the multiplicity of narrative meaning. Finally, practical recommendations are made for the ethical treatment of research participants in narrative research. The article concludes by situating our approach with respect to the broad range of contemporary perspectives on research ethics.

Elements of Risk in Qualitative Research

Qualitative research occupies a useful and important role in social science inquiry. Nonetheless, when ethical issues surrounding this research are discussed, elements of risk may be neglected. Qualitative research often raises concerns about the protection of the confidentiality of not only the participants but also of 3rd parties mentioned in transcribed narratives. Moreover, we argue that, in some instances, qualitative research has considerable potential of inducing negative psychological states. We conclude by presenting a series of recommendations that can be used to address such ethical concerns.

A study of thematic content in hospital mission statements: a question of values.

Abstract: We examined the content of Canadian hospital mission statements using thematic content analysis. The mission statements that we studied varied in terms of both content and length. Although there was some content related to goals designed to ensure organizational visibility, survival, and competitiveness, the domain of values predominated over our entire coding structure. The primary value-related theme that emerged concerned the importance of patient care.

Between Numbers and Notions A Critique of Psychological Measurement

When psychologists apply mathematical machinery to psychological ideas, that machinery imposes certain requirements in the linkage of numbers and notions. These impose choices driven by the mathematics and not the psychology. These decisions, forced by the mathematics, induce theoretical issues in the psychology. Attempting a theory-neutral approach to research in psychology, where commitments in response to the options are made unknowingly, thus becomes instead a theory-by-default psychology. This paper begins to catalogue some of these mathematical choices to make them explicit, in order to allow psychologists the opportunity to make explicit theoretical commitments.

An analysis of the ethical and linguistic content of hospital mission statements.

Abstract: An analysis of the ethical and functional linguistic content of Canadian hospital mission statements was conducted. The ethical content analysis identified deontology as the dominant ethical orientation. The functional linguistic analysis revealed a trend toward the depersonalization and objectification of action. Implications for formulating effective mission statements were discussed.

On the Psychology of ‘As If’

This paper explores the role that fiction in the broad sense might play in psychology, as a tool both for theoretical understanding and for individual self-understanding. Using Hans Vaihinger’s Philosophy of ‘As If’ as a point of departure, I attempt to show that theoretical understanding and personal meaning making in psychology are based in fundamental ways on fictions, that is, on imaginative or counter-factual constructions that we operate on using a hypothetical or as if mode of thinking. I identify and give examples of four broad types of fictions that seem especially to inform psychological theorizing and personal meaning making. Each of these exemplifies the characteristics of counter-factual thinking and imaginative engagement that are taken to be criterial for fictional thinking in general. Some implications for hermeneutic and narrative inquiry in psychology are suggested.

The hermeneutic background of C. G. Jung

Hermeneutics has been central to the practice of Jungs psychology from the beginning, although he never fully and consistently developed a hermeneutic method of inquiry and the literature addressing this aspect of his psychology is not extensive. In this paper(1) we undertake a critical re-examination of Jungs relationship to hermeneutic thought, based on his explicit references to hermeneutics in the Collected Works and his theoretical development of the notion of archetypes. Although Jung did not consistently formulate a hermeneutic approach to inquiry, his theoretical development of archetypes is rich in hermeneutic implications. In particular, his notion of the archetype as such can be understood hermeneutically as a form of non-conceptual background understanding. Some implications of this construal of archetypes for Jungian hermeneutics as a form of inquiry are considered.

A respectful reply to Gottlieb and Lasser

In this brief note, we respond to Gottlieb and Lassers (2001/this issue) critical commentary on our work on narrative research ethics. We argue that their concern for privileging voices needs to be balanced against the risk of exploiting some research participants, that conflicts of interest are best resolved through appropriately prioritizing ethical principles and in consultation with others, and that the researchers ability to protect participants from harm can be enhanced through appropriate clinical training and access to clinical expertise. We welcome Gottlieb and Lassers specific recommendations for ethical practice in narrative research and encourage further ethical reflection by other researchers in this area.

The Formal and Mental Structures of Semiotic Processes

The formal and psychological requirements of semiosis or sign action is discussed. It is shown that, at the formal level, systems of signs are best accounted for in terms of Peirces semiotic triad of sign, object and interpretant, as well as his view that systems of signs are generative and recursive. The importance of the distinction between sign and representamen, as well as that between the dynamic and immediate objects in the semiotic triad, is also noted. A case is then made that, in addition to the formal semiotic triad, it is necessary to make explicit the role of the maker of the sign, the intended receiver of the sign, and the context in which the sign is used at the psychological level. The interrelationships among the sextuple (viz. sign, object, sign maker, sign receiver, context and interpretant) are illustrated by treating speech acts as a kind of sign action or semiosis with a heuristic model.

Hermeneutics of continuity: Theorizing psychological understandings of ancient literature

This paper theorizes how ancient literature can be used to inspire contemporary psychological understanding. We articulate a critical presentism that reads ancient literature symbolically without losing sight of important differences of meaning over time. Although ancient literature may inspire understanding of our present-day concerns, historical text cannot be used to explain contemporary understandings without charges of naïve presentism. A hermeneutics of archetypes is used to theorize a way of using ancient literature that remains critical of presentist claims to knowledge. Without losing sight of important socio-historical differences, the story of The Bacchae is used to illustrate how literature from the past can engender psychological understanding.