A set of interconnected ideas that psychologists use to explain prior research findings and to make predictions about the future is called a:

Theory

Explanation:

Theory

In science, including psychology, a theory can be said to be ia set of generally agreed upon ideas, beliefs or organized principles that give an explanation to, solve problems and guide analysis. A theory provides a framework for explaining observations. The explanation can be used to make predictions about the future.

Evolutionary theory, atomic theory, gravity and quantum theory, are examples of this sort of over-arching theory

.