Abstract
A theory from the behavioral and social sciences is presented from the structuralist point of view. A more comprehensive theory-net is outlined, some basic terms and core assumptions are formulated, and an expansion of the theory towards two intended applications is given. Finally, some results of a first empirical test of the theory are reported. The aim of the paper is to show that the structuralist account of scientific theories is not confined to mathematical theories from the natural sciences, but can also be applied to relatively informal constructions of the behavioral and social sciences.
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This article is written by the first author; F. Eller and K. Winkelmann planned and realized the empirical investigations in case of the intended application ‘Parent-child interaction’, and V. Nell in case of the intended application ‘Getting into contact in adults’. Marianne Manns and Jona Schultze are further leading members of our research group having an active share in the developments reported here.
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Westmeyer, H., Eller, F., Winkelmann, K. et al. A theory of behavior interaction in dyads: A structuralist account. Metamedicine 3, 209–231 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00882205
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00882205