Lessons from behaviorism: the problem of construct-led science

Thomas E. Dickins; Qazi Rahman

doi:10.1017/S0140525X2100008X

Lessons from behaviorism: the problem of construct-led science

Thomas E. Dickins, Qazi Rahman

Middlesex University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

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Abstract

Yarkoni makes a number of valid points in his critical analysis of psychology, but he misses an opportunity to expose the root of its problems. That root is the poor practice around the derivation of explanatory constructs. We make comment on this with an example from behaviorist history and relate this to the recent discussion of scientific understanding in the philosophy of science.

Original language	English
Article number	e12
Journal	Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Volume	45
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X2100008X
Publication status	Published - 10 Feb 2022

Keywords

Science
Behaviorism
Behavior
philosophy of science

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10.1017/S0140525X2100008X

Lessons from behaviorism_DICKINS_Publishedonline10February2022_GREEN AAM (CC BY-NC-ND)Accepted author manuscript, 143 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

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AB - Yarkoni makes a number of valid points in his critical analysis of psychology, but he misses an opportunity to expose the root of its problems. That root is the poor practice around the derivation of explanatory constructs. We make comment on this with an example from behaviorist history and relate this to the recent discussion of scientific understanding in the philosophy of science.

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KW - Behaviorism

KW - Behavior

KW - philosophy of science

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DO - 10.1017/S0140525X2100008X

M3 - Review article

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VL - 45

JO - Behavioral and Brain Sciences

JF - Behavioral and Brain Sciences

M1 - e12

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Lessons from behaviorism: the problem of construct-led science

Abstract

Keywords

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