Basic Versus Applied Research in Cognitive Science: A View From Industry

• Published in: Ecological psychology 1994-06, Vol.6 (2), p.131-136
• Main Author: Cochran, Edward L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1040-7413; 1532-6969
• DOI: 10.1207/s15326969eco0602_4

Hoffman and Deffenbacher (1993) and Vicente (1994) have engaged in an inter- esting discussion concerning the appropriate criteria for distinguishing between basic and applied behavioral research. The origins of the discussion are unclear: Hoffman and Deffenbacher were apparently "pondering the question, What is modern applied cognitive psychology?' (p. 315), and they decided to author a specification document. The discussion is, however, worth pursuing, if only to provide some of us who are typically labeled Applied Cognitive Psychologists a rare chance to participate in the molding of our own image. I argue in this commentary that the positions of Hoffman and Deffenbacher (1993) and Vicente (1994) are descriptions of their perceptions as individuals interacting within their own environments, and both positions should therefore be considered precisely correct in that context. I briefly describe a third, equally correct, description of the continuum of difference between basic and applied behavioral research. My primary point, however, is that the authors of both articles have intermingled value judgments with objective descriptions; this seems likely to impede the implied desire of the authors to promote interaction between, and mutual under- standing of, the values of those pursuing these contrasting approaches to the understanding of human behavior. I argue that it is in fact unclear at this time what each approach is contributing to our ultimate knowledge of human behavior, but it is certain that our understanding will be enhanced to the extent that researchers in both traditions work to establish a shared perspective.