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Inference Patterns in Theoretical Social Psychology: Looking Back as We Move Forward
Author(s) -
Uchino Bert N.,
Thoman Dustin,
Byerly Sari
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
social and personality psychology compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.699
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 1751-9004
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2010.00272.x
Subject(s) - inference , psychology , field (mathematics) , contrast (vision) , epistemology , causal inference , social psychology , cognitive science , cognitive psychology , data science , artificial intelligence , computer science , econometrics , philosophy , mathematics , pure mathematics , economics
An important hallmark of modern social psychology is the central importance of theory and hypothesis testing. The inference structure, however, underlying such tests are rarely acknowledged and may have important implications for the field. In this study, we examine the inference patterns utilized over 20 years of published work in a leading journal of social psychology. We found that verification, in contrast to falsification and crucial tests of alternative hypotheses, was the dominant inference structure utilized. Crucial tests were conducted least of all. These trends were discussed in light of larger issues from the philosophy of science, as well as its potential implications for the field.