Anyone who has taken an introductory course in psychology knows our propensity to write a theory about anything and everything. Quite frequently, this simply confuses people. Even data-driven minds find that there are just too many theories to test. It is no surprise that those who succeed in psychology tend to focus on only a handful of theoretical views.
Though, the error of being too narrow in your theoretical orientation is just as malignant as being too broad. Ours is a science of helping people. To choose only one theory would be like a surgeon choosing only one instrument. The truth of the matter is that we, like everyone else, have to adapt to our situations and use a variety of tools and skills in the most effective ways that we can.
Learning one or two theories in great detail will help you maintain clarity. Though, remember that they are just two explanations of many. Unfortunately, some scholars will tell you being eclectic, or choosing the best of what you read, is lazy. This is not the case. We know that our theories and models are most effective only in certain situations. Knowing what to apply, when to apply it, and how to apply it is the mark of an educated person, not a lazy one.
