5 Questions What is Theory? Why do we have theory? What is the relationship between theory and research? What is the relationship between theory and reality? What is a good scientific theory?

Theoretical Models Units (Variables) Laws of Interaction Boundaries System States Propositions Operationalizations Hypotheses

Ideas to keep in mind 1) No a priori limits on what theory is about 2) A theoretical model has to be complete 3) Adequacy = internal logic 4) Validity is determined through research 5) Only testing makes a theory scientific

Preferred Theory Is a matter of consensus - consensus about boundaries & scope - consensus about the internal logic - consensus about empirical evidence

Standards of a Scientific Theory Explanation Prediction Parsimony Falsefiability Utility

Description vs. Research Descriptions answers questions Research tests prediction

Goals of Science Prediction - focus on outcome - of variable values - of system states - Precision Paradox: prediction does NOT require an understanding of the process Understanding -focus on process - interaction of variables - Power Paradox understanding does NOT lead to precise prediction

Units may be real or nominal may refer to objects or their properties may be attributes or variables may be primitive or sophisticated must be temporally stable or recurring

Types of Units Enumerative: property always > 0 Associative: property of any value (incl. 0) Relational: property derived from relationship of one property with another Statistical: distribution of a property Summative: representing complex entities *Note: typology not mutually exclusive

Invention of Units Invention by Extension Invention by Subdivision Invention by theoretical necessity Invention by statistical necessity

Laws of Interaction: link units of a theory do NOT necessitate causality may be categorical may be sequential may be deterministic

Types of Interaction: linear curvilinear recursive

Efficiencies of Laws presence-absence directionality covariance rate of change

Conditions for Causality Covariance Temporal Precedence Exclusion of Alternatives

Boundaries A theoretical model is said to be bounded when the limiting values on the units comprising the model are known Rubin, 1978

Propositions A truth statement in regard to the theoretical model NOT in regard to reality (i.e., no need for empirical truth) Must follow accepted rules of logic A statement about the relationship among units NOT a statement about unit or set membership.

Propositions & Laws equivalent to a law of interaction more limited then a law of interaction more specific than a law of interaction combining two or more laws of interaction

Empirical Indicators Operationalization of a theoretical construct Reliability: consistency of measure Validity: measuring the right thing.

Types of Validity in Social Science Face Validity Content Validity Criterion Validity Construct Validity

Sources of Error: instrument properties measurement process external variables

Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a prediction about the values of units of a theory, where empirical indicators are employed for the units in each proposition.

Three condition of a good test of a scientific theory A) deducible B) improbable C) verifiable

Hypotheses Testing and Theory Development Extensive Tests: test all strategic hypotheses Intensive Tests: test only key hypotheses Inductive Tests: build theory from empirical data

Three Dimensions Underlying Marital Types Interdependence (High-low): –physical, temporal, psychological Ideology (conventional-unconventional): –beliefs, standards, values Conflict (avoidance-engagement): –how conflict is handled

Marriage Types Traditional: high interdependence, conventional ideology, engage conflict Independent: high interdependence, unconventional ideology, engage conflict Separates: low interdependence, conventional ideology, avoid conflict

Characteristics of Traditionals: conventional sex-types a high dyadic adjustment: agreement, cohesion, expressiveness a low conflict frequency a medium Self-Disclosure b high Couple Reference b

Characteristics of Independents: liberal sex-types, women androgynous a medium dyadic adjustment: low agreement, high cohesion a high conflict frequency a high Self-Disclosure b high Linguistic Elaboration b

Characteristics of Separates: conventional sex-types: husbands positive, wives negative a medium dyadic adjustment: high agreement, low cohesion a low conflict frequency, high verbal aggression a medium Self-Disclosure b low Linguistic Complexity b