To theoretically define is to create a hypothetical construct.

Primary emotions are hypothetical constructs or idealized states whose properties and characteristics can only be inferred from various kinds of evidence.

In the beginning of the twentieth century, however, atoms were considered by many physicists to be purely hypothetical constructs, rather than real objects.

Moods are hypothetical constructs depicting an individual's emotional state.

The terms hypothetical variables or hypothetical constructs may be used in these situations.

Reinforcers and reinforcement principles of behavior differ from the hypothetical construct of reward.

Economics has never asked if it matters if anyone is paying attention to these hypothetical constructs.

On a distinction between hypothetical constructs and intervening variables.

Behavior analysts focus on the observable relationship of behavior to the environment to the exclusion of what they call "hypothetical constructs".

The mesoplate heuristic is very much a hypothetical construct.