#3 The Concept of Theory and its Importance

Module #3

Lesson Title: The Concept of Theory and its Importance

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. define what theory is all about; and

2. discuss the importance of theory.

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW

Introduction (2 mins)

Have a pleasant day! How was your day, as you knew from the previous activity, the concept of human behavior is that it is a term used to describe a person's actions and conduct. It also refers to the reaction to facts of the relationship between the individual and his environment. And that speaking of the perspectives of human behavior we have: philosophical, psychological and sociological perspectives. Now, my question, there are how many faces of every self? There are two (2), namely: the moi and the personne. At this point, let us activate another lesson entitled the Concept of Theory and its Importance. It is important for you to know the concept of theory since this subject deals about the several theories of crime causation. Are you ready? Alright, let’s begin with this first activity!

B.MAIN LESSON

Activity 2: Content Notes (13 mins)

Instructions: Read the concepts that follow, and after that you have to state the definition of theory, concept and principle. Write it on the space provided.

WHAT IS THEORY?

According to Freda Adler, theory is a statement that explains the relationship between abstract concepts in a meaningful way. For example, if scientists observe that criminality rates are usually high in neighborhoods with high unemployment rates, they might theorize that environmental conditions influence criminal behavior (Siegel, 2007).

According to APA Dictionary of Psychology (VandenBos, 2007), as cited in (L’Abate, 2011), a theory is a principle or a body of interrelated principles that purports to explain or predict a number of interrelated phenomena. In philosophy of science, a theory is a set of logically related explanatory hypotheses that are consistent with a body of empirical facts and may suggest more empirical relationships.

Moore, 1991 as cited in (http://faculty.jou.ufl.edu/theory) stated that a theory is a related set of concepts and principles about a phenomenon. It explains how some aspect of human behavior or performance is organized. The components of theory are concepts (ideally well-defined) and principles.

A concept is a symbolic representation of an actual thing - tree, chair, table, computer, distance, etc. Construct is the word for concepts with no physical referent - democracy, learning, freedom, etc. One type of construct that is used in many scientific theories is variable.

A principle expresses the relationship between two or more concepts or constructs.

Moore, 1991 as cited in (http://faculty.jou.ufl.edu/theory.html) enumerated the importance of theory:

1. Theory provides concepts to name what we observe and to explain relationships between concepts. Theory allows us to explain what we see and to figure out how to bring about change. Theory is a tool that enables us to identify a problem and to plan a means for altering the situation;

2. Theory is to justify reimbursement to get funding and support - need to explain what is being done and demonstrate that it works;

3. Theory is to enhance the growth of the professional area to identify a body of knowledge with theories from both within and without the area of distance learning. That body of knowledge grows with theory and research. Theory guides research; and,

4. Theory also helps us understand what we don’t know and, therefore, is the only guide to research. It increases its ability to solve other problems in different times and different places.

Theories are used by researchers as causal mechanisms to give historical explanation of cases (George, 2004). To know more about the concepts of theory please read pages 12-15 of this textbook “Theories of Crime Causation”.

Q1. What is the difference between theory and concept?

Answer: A concept is any idea while theory in its strictest sense is an underlying explanation of how something works. It is specific and more than the concept. Concepts are components of theory.

Q2. What is the difference between theory and principle?

Answer: Theory is a related set of concepts and principles about a phenomenon. So principle is just one part of a theory. A principle expresses the relationship between two or more concepts.

You are done reading! Now,

Based on the concept notes, Answer the google form provided in the google classroom.