an approach to the problem of the fragmentation of psychology that seeks to unify the field by emphasizing scientific work that integrates disparate findings and thus draws theories and models together. It derives its inspiration from one of the basic assumptions of logical positivism: that all science could be united, on the model of physics, through a strict empiricist approach. See also unity of science. [introduced by U.S. psychologist Arthur Staats (1924– )]