hypothetical constructs

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Hi There, Scientists try to explain interactions in terms of causally related events by using hypothetical constructs. To what extent to hypothetical constructs help us to explain behaviour?

-- Aine Connolly (aine_connolly@yahoo.com), May 06, 2001

Answers

This is a very complex question that is perhaps answered best with a debate rather than a simple response. First, I'm not sure that scientists actually do what you claim (although similar claims are frequently seen in psychological methodology texts). Assuming they do, it is surely only one of many things they do. I'm also not sure that scientists outside of psychology use the language of "hypothetical constructs" (and the related vocabulary of "intervening variables") very much. The locus classicus is, of course, MacCorquodale, Kenneth & Meehl, Paul E. (1948). On a distinction between hypothetical constructs and intervening variables. Psychological Review, 55, 95-107 (available on-line at http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/MacMeehl/hypcon-intvar.htm). There has been much criticism of this approach however, and neither term is explcitly used very much anymore in workaday psychological reserach.

-- Christopher Green (christo@yorku.ca), May 07, 2001.

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