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This page revised and Copyrighted: Theon Doxazo |
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03.1.3 |
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A benefit of a good theory is that it will guide investigation. It will suggest hypotheses to be tested. It will provide guidelines for symptoms to look out for. A good theory will allow you to ignore certain things as unimportant to the task at hand.
In a sense, having a theory is inevitable. One can't approach life's problems as a complete innocent. Whether we want them or not, we will have our own views of the world. They may be clearly articulated and formalized in a theory, or they may be disorganized, obscure and hidden. At least a good theory provides one the chance to look squarely at the ideas we have to see whether they fit the situation well or not.
The reader that is interested in a more extensive discussion of this topic is referred to Hall and Lindzey (1957) and the first chapter of their book, Theories of Personality, particularly their discussion of What is a Theory? These are the characteristics they recommend for evaluating a theory.
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The Heuristic Value of Theory - “First, and most important, it leads to the collection or observation of relevant empirical relations not yet observed. The theory should lead to a systematic expansion of knowledge concerning the phenomena of interest and this expansion ideally should be mediated or stimulated by the derivation from the theory of specific empirical propositions (statements, hypotheses, predictions) that are subject to empirical test.” Hall & Lindzey (1957), p. 13 (emphasis in text).
“. . . utility has two components - verifiability and comprehensiveness. Verifiability refers to the capacity of the theory to generate predictions which are confirmed when the relevant empirical data are collected. Comprehensiveness refers to the scope or completeness of these derivations.” Hall & Lindzey, p. 13, (emphasis in text).
The Integrative Value of Theory - “A second function which a theory should serve is that of permitting the incorporation of known empirical findings within a logically consistent and reasonably simple framework. A theory is a means of organizing and integrating all that is known concerning a related set of events.” Hall & Lindzey, p. 13-14, (emphasis in text).
The Simplifying Value of Theory - “Another function which a theory should serve is that of preventing the observer from being dazzled by the full-blown complexity of natural or concrete events. . . . The theory specifies to the user a limited number of more or less definite dimensions, variables, or parameters which are of crucial importance. The other aspects of the situation can to a certain extent be overlooked from the point of view of this problem.” Hall & Lindzey, p. 14-15.
The Clarifying Value of Theory - “The question of clarity and explicitness is of huge importance. This is a matter of how clearly and precisely the assumptions and embedded concepts that make up the theory are presented.” Hall & Lindzey, p. 20, (emphasis in text).
“A further question is the matter of how well the theory is related to empirical phenomena. Here we are concerned with the explicitness and practicality of the definitions proposed to translate theoretical conceptions into measuremental operations.” Hall & Lindzey, p. 20, (emphasis in text).
The Stimulative Value of Theory - “. . . all matters of formal adequacy pale alongside the question of what empirical research is generated by the theory. . . . the payoff question which overrides, and actually make trivial, all questions of formal adequacy is the matter of how much important research the theory has produced.” Hall & Lindzey, p. 20, (emphasis in text).
Simply put, a good theory can be a very useful and valuable thing. It can clarify one's situation and aid one in properly intervening in it.
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