Heider, Harré and Herzlich on health and illness: Some observations on the structure of ‘représentations collectives’

Heider's notions of attribution are presented as a theoretical underpinning for the empirical findings of Herzlich concerning health and illness. Her methodology is treated as a good example of the ‘new’ methods advocated by Harré and Secord: ‐ the collection of naive unnegotiated accounts. It is suggested that the potential for attributional artifacts is present when an investigator invites laymen to discuss issues which have favourable as well as issues which have unfavourable outcomes and then accepts their ‘accounts’ at face value. Favourable outcomes tend to be attributed to the self and unfavourable to the environment. The self is seen as the source of health and the environment as the source of illness. Evidence, from other areas of research, supporting this interpretation is presented. In conclusion it is argued that Herzlich's data more neatly exemplify the structure of Lewin's Psychological life‐space than they do that of Durkheim's ‘représentations collectives’.