Theory construction in psychology: The interpretation and integration of psychological data

摘要: IThe interpretation of data requires a model the gathering process. The integration classification system that extends across different sets. This article discusses some difficulties involved in and psychological data, presents survey recent developments theory construction evaluation from related areas methodology science, information processing computer theories. basic behavioral psychology consist descriptions when who emitted what under which conditions. There are so many whens, whos, whats, whichs it is impossible to store them all their detail (though psychologists trying do just that). lack storage facilities forces everyone record only those special aspects he considers important at moment. Different observers often use categories, same observer changes his one experiment next. absence any over-all or serves perpetuate even justify this diversity. For matter, after exactly job an reduce bewildering variety manageable proportions: provide 'key' code unlocks significant patterns noisy confusion. And especially theories integrate sets, since results powerful generalizations more independent particular way observations measurements set up. historical situation by mid-sixties was such relatively little progress had been made resolve these problems (Murphy, 1963; Sells, Toda Shuford, 1964). anti-theory attitude prevailed (Boring, Chapanis, 1963;Marx, 1963)had