Eckard and Lattal (2020) summarized the behavioristic view of hypothetical constructs and theories, and then, in a novel and timely manner, applied this view to a critique of internal clock models of temporal control. In our three-part commentary, we aim to contribute to the authors’ discussion by first expanding upon their view of the positive contributions afforded by constructs and theories. We then refine and question their view of the perils of reifying constructs and assigning them causal properties. Finally, we suggest to behavior analysts four rules of conduct for dealing with mediational theories: tolerate constructs proposed with sufficient reason; consider them seriously, both empirically and conceptually; develop alternative, behavior-analytic models with overlapping empirical domains; and contrast the various models. Through variation and selection, behavioral science will evolve.

中文翻译：

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存在假设结构时行为分析师的行为规则：对 Eckard 和 Lattal 的评论（2020 年）

Eckard 和 Lattal (2020) 总结了假设结构和理论的行为主义观点，然后以新颖且及时的方式将这一观点应用于对时间控制的内部时钟模型的批判。在我们的三部分评论中，我们的目标是首先扩展作者对结构和理论所提供的积极贡献的看法，从而为作者的讨论做出贡献。然后，我们提炼并质疑他们对具体化结构并为其分配因果属性的危险的看法。最后，我们向行为分析师建议处理中介理论的四个行为规则：容忍有充分理由提出的构念；从经验和概念上认真考虑它们；开发具有重叠经验领域的替代行为分析模型；并对比各种型号。