Contemporary Developments in Psychological Modelling

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, psychological science has witnessed growth in the development of formal models aimed at representing, explaining and predicting the complexity of human experience and behaviour. From statistical and computational approaches to network analysis, dynamical systems, and artificial intelligence, psychological modelling has become an essential tool for advancing both research and professional practice.

Beyond purely methodological innovation, contemporary psychological modelling is increasingly oriented toward capturing the multilevel, contextual and meaning-based nature of psychological processes. This includes efforts to model subjective experience, interpersonal dynamics, identity construction, psychopathological organisation and therapeutic change. As a result, modelling is no longer confined to abstract quantification but is progressively bridging quantitative, qualitative and clinically grounded knowledge.

Particularly relevant in this evolution is the emergence of constructivist and meaning-oriented modelling traditions, which seek to formally represent how individuals and groups organise psychological reality. Approaches such as personal construct psychology, narrative modelling and other interpretative frameworks are now being integrated with formal systems methodologies. In this context, tools such as fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) and related complexity-based models offer promising avenues for representing psychological systems as dynamic, relational and graded structures, capable of capturing both experiential meaning and systemic interaction.

At the same time, the accelerating incorporation of digital data, artificial intelligence and complex systems science poses new epistemological and practical challenges. Questions regarding the interpretability, clinical utility, personalisation and ethical use of models are now central to the field. Consequently, there is a growing need to integrate diverse modelling traditions while preserving psychological depth, theoretical coherence and applicability to real-world clinical and health settings.

This Special Issue on “Contemporary Developments in Psychological Modelling” aims to present and foster cutting-edge research that advances the conceptual, methodological and applied frontiers of psychological modelling. We particularly welcome contributions that explore integrative frameworks, novel modelling techniques, constructivist and meaning-based approaches, and clinical and health applications grounded in systemic and complexity perspectives.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Computational and statistical models of psychological processes;
• Network and dynamic systems approaches;
• Fuzzy and complexity-based modelling;
• Fuzzy cognitive maps and relational system modelling;
• Constructivist and personal construct-based modelling;
• Narrative and meaning-centred modelling frameworks;
• The modelling of psychotherapy processes and outcomes;
• Personalised and precision mental health models;
• Integrative and multilevel psychological modelling;
• AI-assisted psychological modelling;
• Epistemological and methodological reflections on modelling in psychology.
  
  

We accept original research articles with quantitative or qualitative research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that contribute to the advancement of this evolving and interdisciplinary field.

Prof. Dr. Luis Botella
Prof. Dr. Luis Ángel Saúl
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• psychological modelling
• fuzzy cognitive maps
• constructivist psychology
• complex systems
• network analysis
• dynamical systems
• psychotherapy process modelling
• personalised mental health