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Review
. 2019 Aug 27:10:1919.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01919. eCollection 2019.

Implications of Unconnected Micro, Molecular, and Molar Level Research in Psychology: The Case of Executive Functions, Self-Regulation, and External Regulation

Jesús de la Fuente  1   2 , María Carmen González-Torres  1 , Maite Aznárez-Sanado  1 , José Manuel Martínez-Vicente  2   3 , Francisco Javier Peralta-Sánchez  2 , Manuel Mariano Vera  4
Affiliations
Review

Implications of Unconnected Micro, Molecular, and Molar Level Research in Psychology: The Case of Executive Functions, Self-Regulation, and External Regulation

Jesús de la Fuente et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

The proliferation of research production in Psychology as a science has been increasing exponentially. This situation leads to the necessity of organizing the research production into different levels of analysis that make it possible to delimit each research domain. The objective of this analysis is to clearly distinguish the different levels of research: micro-analysis, molecular, and molar. Each level is presented, along with an analysis of its benefits and limitations. Next, this analysis is applied to the topics of Executive Functions, Self-Regulation, and External Regulation. Conclusions, limitations, and implications for future research are offered, with a view toward a better connection of research production across the different levels, and an allusion to ethical considerations.

Keywords: executive functions; external regulation; psychology; research levels; self-control; self-regulation.

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