A Heritage of Activity: Development of Theory

This paper examines the nature of theory development and its implications for theory and practice in occupational therapy. The heritage of activity is traced from the early thinking of occupational therapy’s progenitors, and principles are identified from that era that are viable for today’s theory and practice. It is argued that the field (occupational therapy) should build its theory around the concept of occupation. Finally, sociopolitical issues affecting the development of theory are examined.