Dialectics

Hegel's dialectic, which became the model of Marxism, proposed that oppositions were at the root of all motivation. This model suggests that tensions between a thesis and an antithesis result in synthesis or an integration into a composite which represents a higher evolved view, which then becomes the new thesis in an ongoing (incessant) process:

Although this is an elegant idea which has been around from the earliest philosophers (Heraclites & Aristotle) to present, very little work has been done on specifying exactly how this process takes place. Fundamentally, Stress Dynamics Theory (Horlacher, 2006a, 2006b) specifies the dynamics, interactions, and processes involved in Hegel’s dialectic. 

The term dialectics also refers to a general theoretical framework (Benson, 1977; Israel, 1979; Rawlins, 1989) which developed out of research in this field. This general theoretical framework involves four major assumptions and is at the heart of my own research on stress dynamics theory and the process of internal diversification: contradictions, totality, praxis, and incessant achievement.

Contradictions: the dynamic interplay between unified opposites drives the change and vitality of the system. 

Totality: level of analysis must include the entire system. Most social science research focuses on one side or another of an issue. Some people study conversion to religion, others study apostasy or switching out of religions. Some people study caregiver burden, while not simultaneously focusing on those who reject a caregiving responsibility. Because stress dynamics theory is a systems based theory, it is important to look at the entire system at the same time which includes both forces which move one towards the status quo and unifity (integration) and forces which move one towards individuality and diffusion (differentiation) 

Praxis: actor chooses and is limited by his/her choices. 

Incessant Achievement: change is a continuous state of becoming.