🧱 SECTION D — Theoretical Frameworks of Psychology (Green / Yellow / Red Audit)

Psychology’s theoretical frameworks range from hard‑science models to interpretive narratives to mythic cosmologies. This audit exposes exactly which is which.

✅ GREEN — Substrate‑anchored, empirically constrained theoretical frameworks#

These frameworks behave like real science. They make falsifiable predictions, use measurable constructs, and connect to biological or behavioral substrates.

Cognitive Frameworks#

• Information processing
• Working memory models
• Attention models
  Substrate: measurable behavior + neural correlates

Behaviorist Frameworks (strict)#

• Operant conditioning
• Classical conditioning
• Reinforcement learning
  Substrate: observable behavior

Computational / Mathematical Psychology#

• Drift‑diffusion models
• Bayesian models
• Neural network models
  Substrate: mathematical structure + empirical fit

Cognitive Neuroscience Frameworks#

• Neural correlates of cognition
• Network models
  Substrate: brain circuits, physiology

Psychometric Theory#

• Latent variable models
• Factor analysis
• Item Response Theory
  Substrate: statistical structure

Why green:
These frameworks are falsifiable, quantitative, and substrate‑anchored.

⚠️ YELLOW — Mixed validity, partially empirical, partially interpretive frameworks#

These frameworks use empirical findings but rely heavily on conceptual interpretation, cultural assumptions, or non‑substrate constructs.

Trait Personality Frameworks#

• Big Five
• HEXACO
  Substrate: statistical clusters, not biological entities

Social‑Cognitive Frameworks#

• Attribution theory
• Social learning theory
  Substrate: partial; context‑dependent

Motivational Frameworks#

• Self‑determination theory
• Expectancy‑value theory
  Substrate: conceptual + partial empirical support

Developmental Stage Theories#

• Piaget
• Erikson
  Substrate: mixed; historically important but not fully empirical

Emotion Theories (non‑neuroscientific)#

• Appraisal theories
• Constructivist theories
  Substrate: conceptual

Ecological / Systems Frameworks#

• Bronfenbrenner
• Systems theory
  Substrate: social/environmental, not biological

Why yellow:
They mix data with interpretation, and their constructs are not substrate‑anchored.

❌ RED — Non‑scientific, mythic, or unfalsifiable frameworks#

These frameworks are not scientific, even if they are culturally influential or historically important.

Psychoanalytic Frameworks#

• Freud, Jung, Lacan
  Substrate: none; unfalsifiable

Humanistic Frameworks#

• Maslow’s hierarchy
• Rogers’ self‑actualization
  Substrate: none; narrative‑driven

Transpersonal Frameworks#

• Spiritual/altered‑state models
  Substrate: none

Typological Frameworks#

• MBTI
• Enneagram
  Substrate: none

Parapsychological Frameworks#

• ESP, telepathy
  Substrate: none; pseudoscientific

Archetypal / Mythic Frameworks#

• Collective unconscious
• Symbolic dream interpretation
  Substrate: none

Why red:
These frameworks are interpretive, mythic, or pseudoscientific, and cannot be falsified.

🧩 Section D Snapshot (Psychology)#