On the importance of theory and contagion

As Theory & Psychology has reached its 30th anniversary I reflect on the state of the discipline and the state of theory. I argue that we need good theory (in its broadest sense) more than ever, not only because of its role in psychology’s critical wing but also because of the requirement to continually regenerate theory if it is to be useful and responsive to lives as lived. Theory in a broad sense continues to grapple with questions of ways of being that are grounded in historical and material realities. This is especially true for new indigenous and postcolonial psychologies and their attempt to reconfigure the science of psychology.