Chapter 2: Talk about theory

Question 1

How does an Objectivist define the truth:

Answer 1

1) singular,
2) accessible through unbiased observation,
3) all about cause-effect relationships

Question 2

What is the goal of an Objectivist:

Answer 2

1) to explain and predict

2) to pin down universal laws of human behavior to cover a variety of situations

Question 3

What are the basic activities of an Objectivist:

Answer 3

• test theory
• start with a hunch about how the world works
• find/create theories to support hunches
• test the theory (again and again)
• if results are replicated, explain and predict

Question 4

What words does the textbook author use synonymously to objectivist:

Answer 4

scientist or objective scholar (objective analysis)

Question 5

How does an Interpretivist define the truth:

Answer 5

• not singular
• subjective
• there is no such thing as “unbiased observation”

Question 6

What is the goal of an Interpretivist:

Answer 6

• assign meaning or value to communicative texts

- interpret communication text in context

Question 7

What are the basic activities of an Interpretivist:

Answer 7

• explore the “web of meaning that constitutes human existence”
• not trying to prove theory
• looking for alternative interpretations
• use other theories to inform interpretation of observations

Question 8

What words does the textbook author use synonymously to interpretivist:

Answer 8

interpretive scholar (subjective analysis)

Question 9

Explain the difference objectivists and interpretivists on epistemology (how do we know what we know):

Answer 9

Objectivists: truth is singular
Interpretivists: truth may have multiple meanings

Question 10

Explain the difference objectivists and interpretivists on determinism vs. free will:

Answer 10

Objectivists: stress the forces that shape human behavior
Interpretivists: focus on conscious choice by individuals

Question 11

Explain the difference objectivists and interpretivists on objectivity vs emancipation:

Answer 11

Objectivists: believe they can explain/predict the world objectively
Interpretivists: knowledge can never be neutral

Question 12

Explain the difference objectivists and interpretivists on universal laws vs. interpretive guides:

Answer 12

Objectivists: looking for universals laws of human behavior
Interpretivists: exploring the web of meaning that constitutes human existence

Question 13

Notions about cause and effect are more relevant to:

Answer 13

objective research

Question 14

When we discussed the 4 concepts that differentiate between objective versus interpretive theories, we were attempting to use “metatheory”

Answer 14

true

Question 15

The basic activity of the behavioral scientist is

Answer 15

theory testing

Question 16

“Metatheory” is defined in your text as

Answer 16

theory about theory

Question 17

The twin objectives of scientific knowledge are _____

Answer 17

explaining the past and present and predicting the future

Question 18

Objectivists do NOT emphasize individual freedom because _____

Answer 18

as individual freedom increases, the predictability of behavior decreases

Question 19

Interpretive theories are different from subjective and objective theories

Answer 19

false

Question 20

Objectivists suggest that theory validation must occur because knowledge can never be “neutral”

Answer 20

false

Question 21

An interpretive scholar is:

a. trying to prove a theory is correct
b. is not trying to prove a theory is correct
c. often uses others’ theories to help inform the interpretation

Answer 21

both “b” and “c” are correct