The Status of Theory

Abstract

All knowledge in sport and exercise psychology arguably consists of more or less corroborated theory. This chapter argues that dominant theories in the field are typically held dogmatically by researchers and, further, that this damages progress in research. This argument is illustrated with a study of recent research using Self-Determination Theory and also through a critical appraisal of the dominant methodological approach to theory generation: Grounded Theory. The chapter concludes by drawing on Popperian and Lakatosian principles to suggest ways out of this dogmatic dead-end.