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Category: Communication

Description: Most psychological theories are "verbal models": narrative explanations of a psychological phenomenon. Because of the vagaries of language, these theories are often vulnerable to hidden assumptions and other shortcomings. Moreover, they create fertile ground for questionable research practices. In this workshop, we provide an introduction to theory development through computational modeling. First, we review the nature of theory, presenting ideas about what good theories are and what they are good for. We then provide an introduction to formal theory using the example of difference equation models and show how formal theories foster rigorous, transparent, and collaborative science. Finally, we propose ideas for how to promote an iterative exchange between formal theories and empirical research with the aim of promoting the ongoing development of psychological theories. We provide examples throughout, focusing especially on a computational model of the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that give rise to Panic Disorder. Our hope is that participants leave with an appreciation of the value of formalized psychological theories and ideas for how to develop and evaluate formalized theories in their own work.