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The importance of ecological validity, ultimate causation, and natural categories

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 May 2022

Catherine A. Salmon Open the ORCID record for Catherine A. Salmon [Opens in a new window]  and
Jessica A. Hehman
Catherine A. Salmon
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, University of Redlands, Redlands, CA 92373, USA. catherine_salmon@redlands.edu, jessica_hehman@redlands.edu
Jessica A. Hehman
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, University of Redlands, Redlands, CA 92373, USA. catherine_salmon@redlands.edu, jessica_hehman@redlands.edu
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Abstract

The target article raises important questions about the applicability of experimental social psychology research on topics with policy implications. This commentary focuses on the importance of attending to a variety of factors to improve ecological validity as well as considering the ultimate factors shaping behavior and the role of natural categories in the stability of stereotypes and their influence.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 45 , 2022 , e92
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

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