1-2 Flashcards
theory
A plausible or scientifically acceptable, well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world
A plausible or scientifically acceptable, well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world
theory
What are the characteristics of a theory?
Can’t be proven
Set of assumptions about the causes of phenomenons
Rules
scientific laws
empirically verified, quantitative relationships between two or more variables and thus are not normally subject to the disconfirmation that theories are
empirically verified, quantitative relationships between two or more variables and thus are not normally subject to the disconfirmation that theories are
scientific laws
models
the application of a general theoretical view
the application of a general theoretical view
models
models can be…
a synonym for theory
What are the different types of theories?
quantitative vs qualitative
level of description of the theory
domain of theories
quantitative
relationships between variables and constants in a set of mathematical formulas
pros:
cons:
relationships between variables and constants in a set of mathematical formulas
quantitative
qualitative
theories that are not quantitative
pros:
cons:
theories that are not quantitative
qualitative
descriptive theories
describe relationships
pros:
cons: weakest form of explanation
describe relationships
descriptive theories
analogical theories
explains the relationships through analogy
pros: provide conceptual organization for the data and may predict relationships
cons: the analogy can only be pushed so far (the analogy breaks down)
explains the relationships through analogy
analogical theories
fundamental theories
explain phenomena within a particular area of research
pros: says what directly relates the variables and constants of the system
cons: rare in psychology
ex: Festinger’s cognitive dissonance theory
explain phenomena within a particular area of research
fundamental theories
domain of theories
the scope of the theory - the range of situations to which the theory may be legitimately applied
the scope of the theory - the range of situations to which the theory may be legitimately applied
domain of theories
What are the characteristics of a good theory?
account for data explanatory relevance test-ability prediction of novel events parsimony (theory that makes the fewest assumptions)
What are the strategies for testing theories?
confirmational and disconfirmational
confirmational
strategy
look for evidence to confirm predictions from a theory
strategy
look for evidence to confirm predictions from a theory
confirmational
disconfirmational
strategy
using a positive research result to disconfirm a theory’s predictions
strategy
using a positive research result to disconfirm a theory’s predictions
disconfirmational
When should we develop theories?
f
