Psychology Commons^™

A Unification Fable, Donelson R. Forsyth

Jepson School of Leadership Studies articles, book chapters and other publications

Not-so-long-ago in a not-so-far-away land lived three little pigs. These three little pigs grew up in the same neighborhood, attended the same schools, and shared the same passion: houses. The three were fascinated by the various types of structures inhabited by pigs the world over, and they while away many a happy hour puzzling over the nature and design of such dwellings. They could think of nothing more meaningful than dedicating their lives to the scientific study of houses and the ways they can be improved and repaired.

As they grew older, however, the pigs gradually grew apart in values, …

Social Psychology's Three Little Pigs, Donelson R. Forsyth

Jepson School of Leadership Studies articles, book chapters and other publications

Three perspectives on the nature of scientific research are discussed allegorically: (1) basic science, or the study of theoretically meaningful hypotheses through rigorous research; (2) applied science, which focuses on practically significant problems; and (3) "action research," which integrates elements of both basic and applied science. The allegory concludes by advocating the unification of basic and applied science.