Recently, an online dialogue initiated by Ekaterina Damer has led many psychologists on Twitter to offer their recommended literature regarding theory development and explanation within psychology. Below is an extensive compilation of these suggested readings along with their proponents, organized for convenient access and exploration by those keen on the discipline. Readers are encouraged to add their own recommendations in the comments section.
1. How Does it Operate vs. What Are the Principles? Two Views of Psychological Explanation
Suggested by: Iris van Rooij
Read the article by Robert Cummins
2. Theory Development in Social Personality Psychology: Personal Insights and Lessons Learned
Suggested by: Ed Orehek
Check out the special edition in Personality and Social Psychology Review
3. Personal Insights on Theory and Psychology
Suggested by: Djouria Ghilani
Unearth insights from Gerd Gigerenzer
4. Selected Writings of Barry N. Markovsky
5. Contributions of Paul Meehl
The work of Meehl is strongly endorsed for gaining insights into the methodological difficulties and conceptual frameworks in psychology.
- Theory-testing in Psychology and Physics: A Methodological Dilemma
- Evaluating and Revising Theories: The Lakatosian Defense Strategy and Two Principles Supporting it
- Reasons Why Summaries of Research on Psychological Theories Can Be Often Misinterpreted
6. What Theory is Not
Suggested by: Burak Tunca
Examine the paper by Robert I. Sutton & Barry M. Staw
7. How to Establish a Theory in Cognitive Science
Suggested by: Joshua Skewes
8. Theory and Explanation in Social Psychology
Suggested by: Randy McCarthy
Chapter 1 from the book by Gawronski, B., & Bodenhausen, G. V. (2015). Guilford Publications.
9. Innovative Hypothesis Generation in Psychology: Some Beneficial Heuristics
Suggested by: Kimberly Quinn
Review the detailed exploration by W. J. McGuire
10. Theory Development and Model-building Proficiencies: A Practical Guide for Social Scientists
Suggested by: Daniël Lakens
Jaccard, J., & Jacoby, J. (2010). Guilford Press.
11. Instruments, Playthings, Maxims, and Theories: Reflections on the Creative Process of Theory Creation
Fiedler, K. (2004). Personality and Social Psychology Review, 8(2), 123–131.
12. How Convincing is a Good Fit? A Commentary on Theory Testing
Suggested by: Tom Stafford