ABSTRACT
A unique contribution to the field of cultural psychology is the symbolic action theory of Ernst E. Boesch. Its development is deeply interwoven with his own biography and his experiences in Thailand. Dissatisfied with the inflexibility of classical action theory, he extended the action theory by Pierre Janet in several ways. First, he observed that action cannot be understood without spatial, temporal, and social borders of the action field; the goals and variants of action are standardized by cultures. Second, actions are not driven by goals alone but also by motivation (valences). Because an action is always part of an action chain or action system, this action is considered polyvalent and therefore it is subject to ambivalent interpretations. This means that actions are objective and subjective at the same time: objects get their meaning out of the actions done with them and each individual develops his/her own meaning of the object on the grounds of his or her own experiences. Third, Boesch extended the action theory by introducing symbols. Thus, actions deal not just with objects but also with the symbols that represent them. Analogous to object use, individuals have their own history with the symbol; in this way, they become over-determined (representation), which is the counterpart of polyvalence (motivation). Finally, he extended action theory by pure actions (zweckfrei) without instrumental goals, as in art and magic as well as imaginative action (Vorstellungs-Handlung). In this way he was able to psychologically explain why play and luxury, art and literature have a pioneering role in society. They can anticipate novelty and become the engine of further developments.
