A Rumor of Paradigm Shift in the Field of Children's Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

Abstract

This article is a response to David Elkind's “Behavioral Disorders: A Postmodern Perspective” (this issue). We suggest that Elkind's claim that a paradigmatic shift has occurred in the field of emotional and behavioral disorders is unwarranted, since multiple paradigms influence this area rather than a single monolithic view. Furthermore, we point out that Elkind's argument lies outside of the framework for understanding scientific paradigms proposed by Thomas Kuhn. Finally, we argue that postmodernism lacks the intellectual coherence and heuristic integrity necessary to qualify as a paradigm. We therefore find postmodernism without merit in advancing our understanding of emotional and behavioral disorders, clarifying issues facing the field, or improving practices.