Abstract:Theoretical psychology mainly includes the study of meta-theory and the study of substantive theory, which is a psychological sub-discipline using theoretical methods to research the mind and the basic questions in the development of psychology from the non-experiential perspective. The paper clarifies three common misconceptions about theoretical psychology, and divides the history of theoretical psychology into two stages: the empiricist era and the post-empiricist era. Then, the paper lists four functions of theoretical psychology: (1) forming hypotheses and making predictions for the research focus of experiential psychology; (2) judging and recognizing concepts, propositions and truth and falsity of theories; (3) promoting the theoretical communication of psychology with its relevant subjects; (4) participating in social practice actively. Finally, the paper gives three suggestions about the future development of theoretical psychology: (1) to continue the vigorous development on the study of meta-theory; (2) to shorten the distance between psychological theory and practice; (3) to promote the cross-cultural communication among different country’s psychological studies.