Taking stock of schema theory

In recent years, many political scientists (e.g., Richard Lau, David Sears, Ruth Hamill, Milton Lodge, and Doris Graber) have begun to adopt the language and concepts of schema theory in their researches into public opinion and political behavior. Despite the great claims which have been made for the schema approach, the authors argue that to date little new knowledge has been produced by this particular research program. Although the authors acknowledge the possible contribution schema theory may make in future studies, they point to the need to guard against theoretical displacement within the discipline.