Notes on theoretical psychology

Facts, models, and theories

Abstract

Contemporary psychology hasn't been considered to have the "theory", but guided by the principle of naïve "positivism" or "empiricism." The aim of the present article is to describe the importance of the theoretical studies in modern psychology. One of the reasons that theoretical psychology has never been regarded as a major field of psychology seems psychologists's misunderstanding what the "theory of psychology" is. This article describes first what the "theory of psychology" should include, according to the famous thought experiment "Chinese Room" (Searle, 1980). Second, how theories and facts are related each other in science is discussed following the long history of the research development in physics. It is argued that the "theory" is not directly related to empirical data (fact), but is mediated by "models" that translate the "theory" to be applied to the fact. This is against the intuitive view that theories of science must be directly tested by empirical data. Moreover, this framework delineates how theoretical approach and experimental approach should be related in scientific approach of psychology. The idea of the necessity of theoretical psychology should contribute to education in psychology. Especially, it can provide "formal language" for education of theoretical research of psychology.