1. an attempt to foretell what will happen in a particular case, generally on the basis of past instances or accepted principles. A theoretical prediction gives the expected results of an experiment or controlled observation in accordance with the logic of a particular theory. In science, the use of prediction and observation to test hypotheses is a cornerstone of the empirical method (see falsifiability; falsificationism; risky prediction). By their very nature, the theories, constructs, and explanatory models current in psychology are not always open to direct validation or falsification in this way; however, in psychological assessment, personality tests and other psychometric instruments can often predict participants’ behaviors or other characteristics with an impressive level of accuracy. See also probabilism; pseudoscience.

2. in parapsychology and the occult arts, see divination; precognition. —predict vb. —predictable adj. —predictive adj.