What is Theory

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What is Theory?
Dr. Matt Robinson CJ 3400 Theories of
Crime Appalachian State University
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First thoughts...

• Most people REBEL against it --not seen as
  relevant for real world
• But we use it every day!
• e.g. will it RAIN today?

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Using theory every day...

• Will it RAIN today?
• How do we know?
• Look outside for ?
• Feel outside for ?
• Check out the thermometer ?
• More ideas?
• The Weather Channel
• www.booneweather.com

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Using theory every day...

• What do all these things have in common?
  (looking, feeling, using thermometer, etc.)
• All forms of observation
• All forms of measurement
• Using our empirical senses to make predictions
  about the weather
• Theory is science at work in the real world can
  be verified or falsified by observing / measuring

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Theory is science...

• Explanations without science -- tend to be wrong!
• thunder -- the Gods are angry!
• influenza -- sickness is influenced by the
  stars!
• demonology -- crime comes from possession by evil
  spirits

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The Exorcist
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Are demons real?

• If a criminologist said crime was caused by DEMON
  POSSESSION is this a theory?
• No, it is not scientific because DEMONS cannot be
  observed / measured
• Demons cannot be seen, heard, touched, smelled,
  or tasted
• This makes demonology PHILOSOPHICAL

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What is theory?

• Some definitions
• an explanation a sensible relating of some
  particular phenomenon to the whole field of
  knowledge (Vold, Bernard, and Snipes)
• makes statements about the relationship between
  two classes of phenomena (Bohm)
• generalizations of a sort explains how two or
  more events are related (Williams and McShane)

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What is theory?

• Some definitions
• a systematic collection of concepts and
  statements purporting to explain behavior
  (Shoemaker)
• a set of related propositions that suggest why
  events occur (Hoover)
• an attempt to make sense out of observations
  (Shoemaker)
• statements between actual events about what is
  and what will be (Akers)

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My definition ...

• STATEMENT OF A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TWO OR MORE
  PROPOSITIONS AND CONCEPTS
• which explains and/or predicts some behavior
• And that is testable
• Key words relationship, propositions, concepts,
  explanation, prediction

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Functions of theory...

• Explanation tells us why something happens
• Prediction tell us when and/or where something
  will happen

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Parts of theory...

• Propositions -- statement of relationship between
  concepts
• Concepts -- words which represent real-world
  things
• Nominal Definitions of Concepts tells us what
  the concepts mean
• Operational Definitions of Concepts tells us
  how the concepts will be measured

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Example ...

• See pages 19-20
• (Social Bonding Theory)

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Another Example ...

• Proposition abnormal neurotransmitter levels
  produce aggression
• Concepts abnormal neurotransmitter levels,
  aggression

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Another Example ...

• Nominal Definitions
• abnormal neurotransmitter levels unusually high
  or low levels of brain chemicals
• aggression acting in a hostile manner toward
  another

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Example ...

• Operational Definitions
• abnormal neurotransmitter levels high or low
  levels of a brain chemical as measured in the
  spinal fluid of a person
• aggression the number of hostile acts of a
  child observed by a teacher or parent