theory construction and hypothesis testing

Cards (3)

  • A theory must explain observable behaviours and events using an integrated set of general principles and predict outcomes.
  • For example the behaviourist approach clearly meets the scientific requirements as it constructs theries which are empirically tested.
  • However the psychodynamic approach is not a scientific approach as it is not falsifiable. We cannot test hypothetical ideas such as 'superego' and therefore cannot prove or disprove them.