Assumption

A claim whose truth is accepted without question or adequate evidence. Assumptions are included in the theoretical approaches of psychology.

The assumptions included in a theoretical approach are not tested directly. Instead, the theories derived from the approach are tested. If tests of the theories often provide support for the theories, then the assumptions included in the approach receive indirect confirmation. On the other hand, if tests of the theories often fail to provide support for the theories, then the assumptions included in the approach receive indirect disconfirmation.