ABSTRACT
This essay uses Imre Lakatos’s methodology of scientific research programs to assess and revise the constructivist approach to communication. Constructivism is evaluated as a series of changing theories that share common assumptions. A review of constructivist theory and research scrutinizes the program’s main methodological innovations and its insights into cognitive development, social perception, and person-centered communication. Revisions are then suggested: Constructivism needs a more advanced explication of knowledge structures, cognitive processing, cognitive development, and self-perception. Constructivist research should also employ more precise hypotheses, maintain methodological diversity, and vigorously examine anomalous findings. The conclusion briefly estimates the program’s longevity and highlights ethical imperatives that could fuel future constructivist research.
