Why do psychologists, etc. just keep making things up?
You should outline a system of thought (and observation/action and/or a VIEWPOINT which will lead to observations, actions) that clearly (unambiguously, verifiably) directs observers and researchers TO distinctly be moving toward reputable empirical goals and thus toward FINDING observable, direct, proximate causes of behavioral phenomenon (involving external aspects of the environment, of course) ** and/OR ** a research program to test clear hypotheses of such causes (if yet possible -- but, best not to "move too soon", here).
Much that is written nowadays (guessing maybe 99.9%+) is something else AND, to me, no matter how seemingly inclusive or clever or seemingly integrative (and so forth) it seems to be **** , IT ALL HAS THE STATUS OF FAIRY TALES, if it is not making EMPIRICAL PROGRESS -- which can only be done by being engaged in one of the 2 activities noted in paragraph 1, above. Paragraph one indicates basically the requirements of being engaged in an empirical activity (and of being an empiricist)
**** FOOTNOTE: Only the subject matter: the clear overt behavior(s) (or, likely, overt behavior patterns) AND the aspects of the environment they involve (and they ALWAYS involve some) can define the "skeleton" or core of what is/becomes an inclusive, integrative, etc. theory. Eventually clear overt behavior patterns will necessarily and clearly indicate the kinds of memory, concepts, and thought there really are and then they will properly be part of the theory (and direction for further observations and research -- again on: observable, direct, proximate causes).
[ Overt behaviors may be subtle, especially later in ontogeny, and may involve things as subtle as systematic eye-movements (indicating perception/attention). ]
No ideas (concepts, conceptualizations) that are founded just by-analogy should persist -- if you are not "moving off" these, you are clearly failing to accomplish the prime objective. All "embodied" theories are obviously just "made up" fairy tales with no chance of finding reliable, valid distinct external environment aspects (direct, observable, proximate causes). SAME FOR: Relational Developmental Systems Theories (including the 'Bioecological Approach' and sociocultural theory).
"Attached" is part of a "new start":, which can be a very good thing (and result in "throwing out" nothing good):
Article A Human Ethogram: Its Scientific Acceptability and Importanc...
- Badges
- Science method
- Similar topics
- Methodology