Mathematical modeling is more than fitting equations

Abstract

Comments on the comments made by Brown et al. (see record 2013-24609-001). The article by Brown et al. regarding the Fredrickson and Losada (see record 2005-11834-001) article discussed the use of differential equations in science and repeated our earlier observation (Luoma, Hämäläinen, & Saarinen, 2008) that there is lack of justification for the use of the Lorenz equations in the latter article. In this comment we want to point out that Brown et al. presented a very narrow view on mathematical modeling in behavioral research. We describe how the conceptual use of mathematical models is essential in many fields.