Beyond Cartesian and Newtonian Paradigms in Psychology: Human Experience in Transactional Approach

Cartesian dualism and the Newtonian worldview present significant dilemmas for psychological science as it strives to comprehend human experience. These perspectives tend to conceptualize human experience in static and simplistic terms, fragmenting it into isolated components and seeking universal principles through objectivity. However, this reductionist approach neglects the inherent complexity, holistic nature, dynamism, and subjectivity of human experience, ultimately yielding a fragmented and inadequate model of humanity. In response to this restrictive paradigm, the transactional approach emerges as a more comprehensive framework, advocating for the examination of human experience as a dynamic whole, situated within its unique context and characterized by its subjectivity and complexity. This review critically analyzes the fundamental dilemmas posed by Cartesian dualism and the Newtonian worldview within the realm of psychology and elucidates the transactional approach through its theoretical underpinnings and practical applications. Furthermore, a semi-structured guide is provided to facilitate the integration of this approach into psychological research.