Theory Before the Test: How to Build High-Verisimilitude Explanatory Theories in Psychological Science

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Psychology
• Cognitive Science
• Theoretical Psychology

Background:

• Psychological science often focuses on observable effects, potentially overlooking underlying psychological capacities.
• Marr's levels-of-analysis framework has proven valuable for cognitive psychology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a framework for understanding psychological capacities beyond observable effects.
• To extend Marr's levels-of-analysis framework to broader areas of psychology.
• To introduce the concept of the 'theoretical cycle' for theory development.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical analysis of psychological explanation.
• Revisiting and extending Marr's levels-of-analysis framework.
• Conceptualizing the 'theoretical cycle' in scientific theorizing.

Main Results:

• Psychological capacities, not just effects, are primary targets for explanation.
• Marr's framework can be extended to social, developmental, and evolutionary psychology.
• Theoretical analysis can establish minimal plausibility for theories prior to empirical validation.

Conclusions:

• A focus on capacities and the theoretical cycle can advance psychological science.
• Integrating Marr's framework across psychological subfields offers new benefits.
• Leveraging observable effects to understand deeper capacities is crucial for scientific progress.