A Study of the Logic of Empirical Arguments in Psychological Research: "The Automaticity of Social Behavior" as a Case Study

This article describes the logical structure of one type of empirical argument commonly used in psychological research. A characteristic flaw in its application is identified and illustrated with an analysis of a number of experiments. Intraindividual as well as social factors that contribute to the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Review of general psychology 2006-09, Vol.10 (3), p.210-228
Main Author: Katzko, Michael W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Social interactions. Communication. Group processes
Social psychology
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Summary:This article describes the logical structure of one type of empirical argument commonly used in psychological research. A characteristic flaw in its application is identified and illustrated with an analysis of a number of experiments. Intraindividual as well as social factors that contribute to the flaw's occurrence are discussed. The operation of the social factor is explored with an analysis of citation patterns in the literature. The citation analysis reveals the degree to which the flaw goes unnoticed, in deference to building a consensus of support for broad theoretical claims. The article closes with an outline of the decisions involved in choosing a research strategy and indicates the epistemic consequences of these choices.
ISSN:1089-2680
1939-1552
DOI:10.1037/1089-2680.10.3.210