Abstract
This comment on “Scientific Realism and the Issue of Variability in Behavior” (Arocha, 2021) succinctly summarizes the features of the positivist background that are found in the standard model of research implemented in psychology; moreover, this comment emphasizes that this model is unable to move the psychological sciences toward discoveries. Arocha (2021) put the realist paradigm forward as an alternative for psychology researchers. This paradigm changes the ontological, epistemological, and methodological assumptions of psychological sciences. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of the sociocultural and mental mechanisms of psychological functioning. The comment concludes with an outline of some objectives of realist psychological research.
Highlights
This comment on “Scientific Realism and the Issue of Variability in Behavior” (Arocha, 2021) succinctly summarizes the features of the positivist background that are found in the standard model of research implemented in psychology; this comment emphasizes that this model is unable to move the psychological sciences toward discoveries. Arocha (2021) put the realist paradigm forward as an alternative for psychology researchers
Arocha (2021) has put another nail in the coffin of the statistical and behaviouristic positivism that underlies most of mainstream psychological research
In their desire to implement “real” science and to be seen as “hard” scientists, many mainstream psychologists continue to adhere to this paradigm of positivism, which was abandoned by natural scientists many decades ago
Summary
Causal mechanisms function within corresponding entities: there are natural kinds (atoms, molecules, cells, genomes, organisms), sociocultural kinds (cultural communities, societies, social groups), and psychological kinds (individuals and their minds). Researchers should look for subsequent mechanisms within the entities that are governed by them: cells, communities, or individuals. Realist researchers apply conceptual analysis and retroductive inference to discovered empirical regularities and generate hypotheses about underlying causal forces and powers. They test these hypotheses through realist experimentation. Arocha’s (2021) work did not touch upon the application of realism to sociocultural and mental realities; I want to elaborate on them here
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