The application of Discursive Methodology in Health Psychology Research

Psychological research in Iran had a unidimensional development and the research programs was influenced by naïve realism and blind positivism. More Recent epistemological tradition like social constructionism and discursive methodologies were ignored in psychological theories and research. The aims of this study were (1) Describing methodological issues in discursive research methods; (2) applying discursive research methods in health psychology. Discourse as a concept is derived from an ontological criticism toward the definition of science based on the objective reality and empiricism. Relying only on the objectivism and empiricism for studying human phenomena is inconsistent with some of the human mind features like intentionality and desire for cognitive consistency. Discursive approaches in health psychology is appropriate for investigating phenomena like noncompliance, representation of illness in patients’ mind and factors affecting in holding responsibility in health-related behaviors. Furthermore, discursive methods could reveal how social discourse and social power could determine the definition of health and responsivity for health related issues. Some of the main analytic methods in discursive methodologies are conversation analysis, identification the discursive performance, finding discursive strategies, and discovering interpretative repertoires. Discursive methodologies could investigate health from the ways of applying language in social context and produce knowledge related to ways people position themselves toward health discourses. So, applying discursive methodologies in health psychology could help health psychologists to find better ways to promote health care and produce novel insights about how clients construct health and illness.