| A satisfactory psychological theory
must allow us to predict behavior. For instance, a satisfactory theory of hunger
will allow us to predict when people will eat and not eat. A broadly satisfying,
{{U}} (51) {{/U}}theory should have a wide range of applicability.
A broad theory of hunger might apply {{U}} (52) {{/U}}human beings
and lower animals, to normal weight and overweight people, and to people who
have{{U}} (53) {{/U}}of food for differing lengths of time. If our{{U}}
(54) {{/U}}cannot be adequately explained by or predicted from a given
theory, we should consider revising or replacing that theory. In psychology many theories have been found to be{{U}} (55) {{/U}}of explaining or predicting new observations. As a result they have been revised{{U}} (56) {{/U}}.For example, the theory that hunger results from stomach contractions may be{{U}} (57) {{/U}}correct for normal weight individuals, but it is inadequate as an{{U}} (58) {{/U}}for feelings of hunger among the overweight.{{U}} (59) {{/U}}theories also focus on biological variables, such as fat cells and brain {{U}} (60) {{/U}}, and psychological variables such as the presence of other people who are eating and the time of day. The{{U}} (61) {{/U}}of controlling behavior in psychology is highly{{U}} (62) {{/U}}. Some people erroneously think that psychologists seek ways to make people do their bidding—like puppets dangling on strings. This is not so. Instead, psychologists help{{U}} (63) {{/U}}change their behavior for their own benefit. Psychologists are{{U}} (64) {{/U}}to belief in the dignity of human beings, and human dignity demands that people be free to make their own decisions and choose their own behavior. Psychologists are learning more all the time about the{{U}} (65) {{/U}}influences on human behavior, but they apply this knowledge only upon request and in ways they believe will be helpful to an individual or an institution. |