Week 6 : Theory

Question 1

What is a phenomenon?

Answer 1

• An established finding and we know it is true from repeated observations
• now, once we know something occurs, a common next step is to figure out WHY it occurs with a theory

Question 2

What is a theory?

Answer 2

• A coherent explanation or interpretation of one or more phenomena
• The answer to the ‘why’ question
• Deal with abstract constructs (not directly observed)

Question 3

Perspective…

Answer 3

• A broad approach (more general than theory) to explaining and interpreting phenomena
• Lens like biological/cognitive

Question 4

Model…

Answer 4

• A precise explanation or interpretation of specific phenomenon
• more specific than a theory

Question 5

A theoretical framework…

Answer 5

Can be as broad as a perspective or as specific as a model, but it is applied to understanding a phenomenon

Question 6

What are theories used for… (3)

Answer 6

1. Organize known phenomena
2. Predict, make testable predictions
3. Generate new research

Question 7

(1) organize known phenomena

Answer 7

• organize phenomena in ways that help ppl think about them clearly and efficiently
• theories are good/useful when they organize more phenomena with greater clarity
• Scientists generally follow principle pf parsimony which holds that a theory should include only as many concepts as are necessary to explain or interpret the phenomena of interest

Question 8

(2) prediction

Answer 8

• making testable predictions in new situations
• allows researchers to make predictions about what will happen in new situations

Question 9

(3) New research

Answer 9

• Generate new research by raising new questions
• a theory does not have to be accurate to serve this purpose

Question 10

Multiple theories

Answer 10

• researchers are usually considering multiple theories for any set of phenomena
• this does not mean that one theory is better than another

Question 11

Variety of theories : 3 dimensions

Answer 11

1. Formality
2. Scope
3. Theoretical Approach

Question 12

(1) Formality

Answer 12

• Formality is the extent to which the components of the theory are specific clearly and in detail
• Informal = theories w/ simple verbal descriptions of a few important components + relationships (less precise) good for early research
• Formal = theories expressed in terms of meth equations or computer programs (more precise)
• Theories tend to become more formal as they mature
• the more specific it is, the more testable it is

Question 13

(2) Scope

Answer 13

• Theories vary by scope
• Scope is the number and diversity of the phenomena they explain or interpret
• early theories were super broad cuz tried to interpret almost all human behaviour
• broad end = theories that apply to many diverse phenomena (less formal)
• narrow end = theories that apply to a small number of closely related phenomena (more formal)

Question 14

(3) Theoretical approach

Answer 14

• theories vary in the kinds of theoretical ideas they are constructed from

Question 15

Functional Theories

Answer 15

• explain phenomena in terms of their function/purpose
• WHY
• e.g. evolutionary psychology

Question 16

Mechanistic theories

Answer 16

• Identifying a mechanism/explanation for the phenomenon
• Can also be expressed in terms of biological structures and processes
• HOW
• e.g. Neuroscience

Question 17

Stage theories

Answer 17

• specify a series of stages that ppl pass through as they develop or adapt to their environment
• e.g., Piaget’s theory of cognitive development

Question 18

Typologies

Answer 18

• Provide organization by categorizing ppl of behaviour into distinct types
• These include theories that identify several basic emotions, several distinct types of intelligence, and distinct types of personalities