paradigm shift

[ par-uh-dahym shift ]

noun

1. a dramatic change in the paradigm of a scientific community, or a change from one scientific paradigm to another.
2. a significant change in the paradigm of any discipline or group:

   Putting skilled, tenured teachers in failing schools would cause a paradigm shift in teaching and education.

paradigm shift

noun

1. a radical change in underlying beliefs or theory

Word History and Origins

Origin of paradigm shift¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Word History and Origins

Origin of paradigm shift¹

C20: coined by T.S. Kuhn (1922–96), US philosopher of science

Example Sentences

In a perspective piece published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Peterson lays out the rationale behind this paradigm shift.

From Science Daily

CARE’s compassionate approach is presented as a paradigm shift.

From Salon

After the Beatles caused a “paradigm shift in my consciousness” with “Rubber Soul” and “Revolver,” Bratton joined the Grass Roots and became a rock star with songs like “Let’s Live for Today’ and “Midnight Confessions.”

From Los Angeles Times

He says he didn’t expect the current huge attention on UPFs but he claims “it’s contributing to a paradigm shift in nutrition science”.

From BBC

He said the agency needed a "paradigm shift".

From BBC

More About Paradigm Shift

What is a paradigm shift?

A paradigm shift is change, or shift, in the way a commonly shared framework or set of understandings (paradigm) is changed or exchanged for another, typically in response to new observations or understandings of reality.

More specifically, a paradigm shift is a change in a methodology or framework in a scientific community.

This concept is credited to Thomas Kuhn, a science philosopher, who detailed the idea and its implications in his book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions in 1962. In the text, he gives as an example of a paradigm shift as the change from the idea that the Earth is at the center of the solar system to the idea that the sun is at the center. When a paradigm shift occurs, we have to arrange or adopt a new model of understanding.

Example: The rapid growth of the internet prompted a paradigm shift in how political campaigns did outreach and messaged to voters.

Where does paradigm shift come from?

The first records of the term paradigm shift come from around the 1960s. Coined by US philosopher Thomas Kuhn in his book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962), a paradigm shift is “a dramatic change (shift) in the framework (paradigm) of a scientific community.”

Did you know … ?

What are some words that share a root or word element with paradigm shift?

• paradigm
• paradigmatic
• shift
• shiftless

What are some words that often get used in discussing paradigm shift?

• framework
• science
• assumption
• perspective
• methodology
• understanding

How is paradigm shift used in real life?

Paradigm shift is used to describe drastic changes in a new methodology, approach, or framework, especially in the sciences.

Rewilding initiatives emerging across Europe are leading to a paradigm shift. #Rewilding is more than bringing back species. It’s a more holistic approach, where people are finding ways to live with wildlife and are building economies around it #mustreadhttps://t.co/YplP8YSQYx

— Rewilding Europe (@RewildingEurope) October 22, 2020

We are on the verge of a total revolution. The New World is not just the birth of a new civilization. Or a paradigm shift. Which in itself is already remarkable. It’s about being done with the matrix. Once and for all. And freeing your soul from captivity. Do not settle for less.

— Amjad Abedi (@AmjadAbedi) October 20, 2022

A rare opportunity for a paradigm shift on how you think about research. Today, it is more important than ever to learn about health services and/or implementation science. Thankful for @CoHSTAR_PT and the vision of @ResnikLinda
for giving me the opportunity. Consider applying https://t.co/19UQp7qNsZ

— Bara Alsalaheen (@BaraAlsalaheen) October 30, 2020

 

Try using paradigm shift!

True or False?

A paradigm shift is a permanent framework, never to be changed.