<p>The term "construct" means:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>In a scientific theory, particularly within psychology, a <em>hypothetical construct</em> is an explanatory variable which is not directly observable. For example, the concepts of <em>intelligence</em> and <em>motivation</em> are used to explain phenomena in psychology, but neither is directly observable. (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construct_(philosophy)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Source</a>)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The earliest reference I can find to the term "construct" is from Clark L. Hull (1943) pp. 21—22</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>In some cases there may be employed in scientific theory a whole series of hypothetical unobserved entities; such a series is presented by the hierarchy of postulated physical entities: molecule, atom, and electron,the molecule supposedly, being constituted of atoms and the atom in its turn being constituted of electrons.</p>
  
  <p>A rough parallel to this chain of hypothetical entities from the physical sciences will be encountered in the present system of behavior theory. For the above reasons the subject of symbolic constructs, intervening variables, or hypothetical entities which are not directly observable requires comment.</p>
  
  <p>Despite the great value of logical constructs or intervening variables in scientific theory, their use is attended with certain difficulties and even hazards.</p>
</blockquote>

<h2>Reference</h2>

<p>Hull, C. L. <em>Principles of behavior</em>. New York: Appleton-Century, 1943 [<strong><a href="http://s-f-walker.org.uk/pubsebooks/pdfs/Principles%20of%20Behavior%20-%20Clark%20Hull.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Free PDF</a></strong>]</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-19T11:21:50.800Z
It appears that the use of "construct" as a noun can be traced back to Conwy Lloyd Morgan's "Animal Life and Intelligence" (1891): "In other words, at the bidding of certain stimuli from without we construct that mental product which we call the object of sense. It is of these mental
constructions 'constructs'* I will call them for convenience that I have now to speak." Footnote: "* I use this term in a broad sense, as the process involved in the formation
of what I shall term constructs." [link](https://ia801400.us.archive.org/3/items/animallifeintel00morgiala/animallifeintel00morgiala.pdf)
user18679
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-12T13:43:03.420Z
2018-03-12T13:43:03.420Z
Chris Rogers
<p>So, I was just wondering - who can be attributed as originating the idea of a "construct" in psychology? Does the general concept of an epistemic "construct" feed directly into the way the term is used in psychological measurement and psychometrics?</p>

<p>My guess is that the idea of a "construct" originated with Piaget. Is this correct?</p>

<cognitive-psychology><measurement><terminology><validation>
The origin of the term "construct" in the cognitive sciences
user18679
# The origin of the term "construct" in the cognitive sciences

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-03-12)

So, I was just wondering - who can be attributed as originating the idea of a "construct" in psychology? Does the general concept of an epistemic "construct" feed directly into the way the term is used in psychological measurement and psychometrics?

My guess is that the idea of a "construct" originated with Piaget. Is this correct?

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, measurement, terminology, validation


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-03-12. Score: 2

The term "construct" means:

> In a scientific theory, particularly within psychology, a *hypothetical construct* is an explanatory variable which is not directly observable. For example, the concepts of *intelligence* and *motivation* are used to explain phenomena in psychology, but neither is directly observable. ([Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construct_(philosophy)))

The earliest reference I can find to the term "construct" is from Clark L. Hull (1943) pp. 21—22

> In some cases there may be employed in scientific theory a whole series of hypothetical unobserved entities; such a series is presented by the hierarchy of postulated physical entities: molecule, atom, and electron,the molecule supposedly, being constituted of atoms and the atom in its turn being constituted of electrons.
>
> A rough parallel to this chain of hypothetical entities from the physical sciences will be encountered in the present system of behavior theory. For the above reasons the subject of symbolic constructs, intervening variables, or hypothetical entities which are not directly observable requires comment.
>
> Despite the great value of logical constructs or intervening variables in scientific theory, their use is attended with certain difficulties and even hazards.

## Reference

Hull, C. L. *Principles of behavior*. New York: Appleton-Century, 1943 [**[Free PDF](http://s-f-walker.org.uk/pubsebooks/pdfs/Principles%20of%20Behavior%20-%20Clark%20Hull.pdf)**]

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: It appears that the use of "construct" as a noun can be traced back to Conwy Lloyd Morgan's "Animal Life and Intelligence" (1891): "In other words, at the bidding of certain stimuli from without we construct that mental product which we call the object of sense. It is of these mental constructions 'constructs'* I will call them for convenience that I have now to speak." Footnote: "* I use this term in a broad sense, as the process involved in the formation of what I shall term constructs." [link](https://ia801400.us.archive.org/3/items/animallifeintel00morgiala/animallifeintel00morgiala.pdf)  

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