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Hayes, 2004

APA Citation

Hayes, S. C. (2004). Falsification and the protective belt surrounding entity postulating theories. Journal of Applied and Preventive Psychology, 11, 35-37.

Publication Topic
Contextualism
Publication Type
Article
Language
English
Keyword(s)
falsification, verification, entity-postulating theories
Abstract

Meehl's article is a contradiction. In every area, he recognizes some of what is wrong and then advocates a course that will produce more of the same. He sees the problem with falsification and in essence advocates for its alternative, verification, but falsely claims this strategy is still falsification and is useful when there is a loose link between theories and their auxiliaries and conditions. He acknowledges the proven value of tightening the link between theories and their auxiliaries and conditions, but rejects that course because it does not apply to his preferred theories. Twenty-five years later there is even more "sloww progress" to ponder. It is time to dismantle the protective belt surrounding entity-postulating theories that Meehl's reasoning has helped to create.