The coordination problem may hinder progress in psychological science
In short: Researchers argue that psychology's slow theoretical progress may stem from a failure to address the 'problem of coordination.' This issue arises when scientists attempt to measure unobservable quantities by inferring them from observable variables, making it difficult to establish a reliable link between theory and observation.
The authors suggest that empirical data alone cannot determine the functional relationship between theoretical concepts and observations. This lack of coordination severely constrains the ability to make meaningful theoretical claims.
The paper provides a theoretical analysis of measurement challenges, using the historical development of thermometry to illustrate the complexity of defining these relationships.
Why it matters: Connecting abstract psychological concepts to real-world observations requires more than just collecting empirical data.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Research: Kellen et al. (2021). The Problem of Coordination and the Pursuit of Structural Constraints in Psychology. Perspectives on Psychological Science.
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