Title: Understanding the Theory Crisis in Psychology: Essential Readings and Expert Insights
In recent times, psychology has encountered what has been referred to as a “theory crisis” – an increasing recognition that the field frequently lacks robust, coherent, and predictive theories to inform research and interpretation. Initiated partly by a Twitter discussion led by Ekaterina Damer, this ongoing dialogue has inspired psychologists, methodologists, and theorists worldwide to contemplate the present state of theoretical development in psychology. What ensued was an extensive collection of significant papers, essays, and resources from prominent figures in psychology and related fields.
This article serves as a comprehensive guide to numerous recommended resources, presenting a framework for those keen on investigating the essence of theory in psychology, the obstacles it faces, and potential directions for the future.
What is the Theory Crisis?
The phrase “theory crisis” is closely linked to worries about the replication crisis and the shortcomings of relying solely on statistical or empirical methods without conceptually grounded hypotheses. Despite advancements in methodology, psychology often grapples with disjointed theories, insufficient predictive power, and a tendency to focus on data collection rather than clarity of explanation.
To tackle these challenges, several leading psychologists have pointed out essential and progressive resources designed to enhance theory development, assessment, and application.
Essential Readings on Psychological Theory
1. Robert Cummins – “How Does it Work?” vs. “What are the Laws?”
Recommended by Iris van Rooij, this pivotal paper differentiates between mechanistic explanations (“how it works”) and nomological explanations (“what the laws are”), asserting that much of psychology requires improved mechanistic theorizing instead of relying exclusively on abstract laws. [Read paper]
2. Paul Meehl – Various Works on Theory Testing
Tal Yarkoni and others emphasized the lasting significance of Meehl’s sharp criticisms. Key papers include:
– “Theory-testing in psychology and physics: A methodological paradox”
– “Appraising and amending theories”
– “Why summaries of research on psychological theories are often uninterpretable”
These articles highlight the inadequacy of many current psychological theories and advocate for rigorous theoretical frameworks similar to those in the physical sciences. [Access papers here]
3. Sutton & Staw – “What Theory is Not”
Proposed by Burak Tunca, this paper critiques the incorrect application of “theory” in organizational studies (echoing issues in psychology), clarifying what does not constitute a theory—such as lists of variables, hypotheses, and references to previous research—while advocating for coherent and falsifiable theoretical constructs. [Read paper]
4. Valerie Gray Hardcastle – “How to Build a Theory in Cognitive Science”
Suggested by Joshua Skewes, this paper offers practical advice on the interdisciplinary nature of theory building, especially in cognitive science where psychology overlaps with philosophy, neuroscience, and AI.
5. Gawronski & Bodenhausen – “Theory and Explanation in Social Psychology”
Cited by Randy McCarthy, Chapter 1 outlines how theories function as explanatory instruments within social psychological research. It also examines the significance of precision and falsifiability in the development of theories.
6. Jaccard & Jacoby – “Theory Construction and Model-Building Skills”
Recommended by Daniël Lakens, this practical guide delivers step-by-step instructions for crafting meaningful theories, encompassing conceptual clarity, hypothesis logic sequences, and model validity.
7. William J. McGuire – “Creative Hypothesis Generating in Psychology”
Highlighted by Kimberly Quinn, McGuire’s heuristics are a crucial resource for designing innovative and theoretically sound research. [Read paper]
8. Fiedler, K. – Works on Theorizing and Diagnosticity
Fiedler’s papers from 2004 and 2017 delve into the cycles of theory development, accentuating creativity and the necessity for theories that make diagnostic predictions. His 2017 article particularly focuses on the often-ignored importance of theorizing before data collection. [Read 2017 paper]
Additional Notables:
– Denny Borsboom’s blog post “Theoretical Amnesia” critiques the field’s oversight of theory and advocates for a renewed focus on theoretical literacy. [Read post]
– The Facebook group “Psychological Theory Discussion Group,” initiated by Brett Buttliere and colleagues, acts as a venue for ongoing dialogue and collaboration surrounding theory-related challenges. [Join Group]
– Wilson (2001) and Simmering et al. (2010) address theoretical constructs and the contribution of computational modeling to developmental science, respectively, offering insights into contemporary theory development.
Theory Testing and Goodness of Fit
Tom Stafford recommended Roberts & Pashler’s (2000) “How persuasive is a good fit?”, which critiques the excessive reliance on statistical goodness-of-fit when assessing psychological theories. The paper warns against confusing mathematical fit with conceptual correctness and encourages researchers to consider wider theoretical implications. [Read paper]
Sociological and Cognitive Science Perspectives
– Barry N. Markovsky’s selected works provide a sociological viewpoint on theory