Theory vs. Ideology
– Certainty of answers
– Type of knowledge system differs
– Type
T
off assumptions
ti
differ
diff
– Use of normative statements differ
– Use off evidence
id
differs
diff
– Demand for logical consistency differs
– Transparency differs
Theory vs. Ideology
• Theory
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Conditional
Uncertainty
Expanding
Rigorously
g
y tested
Empirical evidence
Neutral
Logical
• Ideology
–
–
–
–
–
–
Absolute
Fixed
Avoids tests
Partial
Contradictory
Circular
Theory vs. Ideology
Example - Divorce
• Theory
– Family are strongest
when theyy have
resources (income,
education, housing,
maturity respect etc.)
maturity,
etc )
and low stress (constant
employment, happy
marriage, good health,
etc).
• Ideology
– Society is facing a moral
decayy leadingg to divorce,,
women working outside
the home, and loss of the
“traditional
traditional family
family”
Parts of a Theory
1) Assumptions
• Assumptions
Parts of a Theory
2) Concepts
• Theoretical concept
– Symbol
– Definition
– Jargon
• Level of abstraction
Parts of a Theory
2) Concepts
• Single vs. concept clusters
– Concept clusters
• Simple vs
vs. complex concepts
– Concept classification
– Ideal type
– Typology
• Scope
Parts of a Theory
2) Concepts
Parts of a Theory
2) Concepts
Parts of a Theory
3) Relationships
• Kinds of relationships
–
–
–
–
Positive
Negative
Interaction effect
Contingent
g relationshipp
• Propositions
• Hypothesis
Parts of a Theory
4) Units of Analysis
•
•
•
•
•
Individual
Group
O
Organization
i ti
Region
Country
Aspects of Theory
1) Direction of Theorizing
Deductive
Inductive
Aspects of Theory
2) Level of Analysis
• Mi
Micro-level
l l theory
th
• Macro-level theory
• Meso-level theory
Aspects of Theory
3) Focus of Theory
• Substantive
S b t ti th
theory
• Formal theory
Aspects of Theory
4) Forms of Explanation
• Theoretical explanation
• Prediction
P di ti
Aspects of Theory
4) Forms of Explanation
• Causal explanation
–
–
–
–
Temporal order
Association
Eliminating alternatives
Specifying
p
y g the mechanism in a causal relationshipp
• Causal mechanism
– Outlining the causal chain
Diagrams of Causal
Relationships
Positive relationship
Positive and negative relationship
Positive path relationship
Diagrams of Causal Relationships
C
Complex
l relationships
l ti hi
Aspects of Theory
4) Forms of Explanation
• Structural
explanation
– Sequential
theory
– Network theory
– Functional
theory