Consciousness Research: Beyond Mere Theory Testing
A new article published in Communications Psychology by Professor Morten Overgaard and collegues argues that there is far more to uncover in the study of consciousness than merely confirming theoretical frameworks. Science Magazine comments on the new article.
The authors of the article, Morten Overgaard, Peter Fazekas, Asger Kirkeby-Hinrup, Kristian Sandberg and Wanja Wiese, assert that to truly advance our understanding of consciousness, researchers must embrace a broader, more integrative approach—one that transcends traditional theory testing and probes the intricate multidimensional fabric of conscious experience itself.
Read more about the new article in Science Magazine:
https://scienmag.com/consciousness-research-beyond-mere-theory-testing/
Original article
Title: There can be more to consciousness research than theory testing
Authors: Morten Overgaard, Peter Fazekas, Asger Kirkeby-Hinrup, Kristian Sandberg, Wanja Wiese
Communications Psychology volume 3, Article number: 172 (2025)
Consciousness research has long been dominated by competing grand theories, yet consensus remains elusive. We propose shifting focus toward construct-based, data-driven, and iterative approaches that identify the empirical building blocks of conscious experience and provide a more cumulative, integrative path forward for the field.
Link:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s44271-025-00357-9
Contact
Morten Overgaard
https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/persons/morten.storm.overgaard@cfin.au.dk/
morten.storm.overgaard@cfin.au.dk
Phone: +45 20 78 31 54