SYNTHESIS AS A PSYCHOLOGICAL METHOD: EVIDENCE OF USING THE SEMANTIC DIFFERENTIAL METHOD

Abstract

The purpose of the research is a psychological comprehension оf the conceptual and formal aspects of methodology. This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the integral paradigm and synthesis as used in psychology. It dwells upon a formal methodology for integrating differentiated factors by the semantic differential method. The findings enable higher-level generalization and abstraction for describing systems as holistic phenomena to define their specificity, structure, and functional patterns. The semantic volume of the notion ‘meaning’ was identified as the one that reveals a common structure and order in the diversity of science-specific, unique and non-permanent meanings, each of which pertains to a specific stage of history and evolution. In this context, meaning can be efficiently represented as a holistic structure, a chard, a phenomenon that outlines systemic connections and hierarchy, allocates a specific volume to each semantic space, and defines the centers of gravity as the generalizing motive forces of the phenomena under consideration.

Keywords

• conceptual methodology
• formal methodology
• integral paradigm
• synthesis
• symbol
• meaning
• semantic differential