The Structure of Perceived Causality

Abstract

In this chapter I move from description to a taxonomy of causal structure. This is the first step toward “authentic” theoretical analysis, although classification is the least advanced aspect of conceptualization. The remainder of the book then progresses from structure (causal classification) to dynamics or to a genotypic analysis of emotion and motivation. This represents a higher level of scientific theorizing. This ordering of description-taxonomy-dynamics (causes, causal structure, causal consequences) captures a general developmental sequence evident in the growth of other theories, particularly in the study of personality.

In which the proposition that causes have three fundamental properties or dimensions is logically argued and empirically supported. There is a pleasing simplicity to the organization of causal thinking.