KRM310
Example
Case
STUDY UNIT 1: ROLE OF THEORY
The Structure of Theories
A theory (DEFINITION) = highly organized statement of basic
assumptions and logically interrelated assertations about the
phenomenon or class of phenomena under study, which attempt to
describe, predict, explain, and control subject matter.
Theories are often abstract and complex –
o Abstract means:
It consists of statements that generally are dissociated
from any material objects, specific circumstances,
facts, or observations.
Cons –
It tends to confuse the uninitiated, especially
criminology (scientific study of crime and
criminals) newcomers.
Detractors describe theories as lacking
correctness, statements that purport to tell us
about crime generally may not directly assist
those responsible for reducing crime.
Theorists sometimes fail to concern themselves
with practical applications of their abstract
statements.
Pros –
, Assertations in theories must go beyond
immediate time and place. Extent to which theory
is tied to particular set of events/people may help
us understand what is happening here and now
but this correctness limits the theory’s ability to
provide same types of insight for other
places/time/people.
Correctness vs abstractness explains why most info
obtained from media/other individualistic, unsystematic
observations yields few insights applicable beyond set
of circumstances.
Assumptions and Assertions: Building Blocks of Theories
Complexity of theories lies in assumptions and assertations (what
does a theory assume about human beings and human
behaviour?).
Theory’s assumptions are beyond testing (they constitute the
theory’s core belief system), assumptions are taken as given and
are either rejected or accepted but they are not generally subject
to testing/modification.
Once assumptions are stated, understood, and accepted, the next
task is to consider assertations (theoretical
assertations/relationships they imply, must be testable).
If assertions are incapable of being evaluated in the real world,
then it is not a theory and rather an ideology or theology (strongly
held beliefs that are not subject to testing/critical review.
Many theorists refer to their assertions as propositions
(generalized statements about relationships) –
Example
Case
STUDY UNIT 1: ROLE OF THEORY
The Structure of Theories
A theory (DEFINITION) = highly organized statement of basic
assumptions and logically interrelated assertations about the
phenomenon or class of phenomena under study, which attempt to
describe, predict, explain, and control subject matter.
Theories are often abstract and complex –
o Abstract means:
It consists of statements that generally are dissociated
from any material objects, specific circumstances,
facts, or observations.
Cons –
It tends to confuse the uninitiated, especially
criminology (scientific study of crime and
criminals) newcomers.
Detractors describe theories as lacking
correctness, statements that purport to tell us
about crime generally may not directly assist
those responsible for reducing crime.
Theorists sometimes fail to concern themselves
with practical applications of their abstract
statements.
Pros –
, Assertations in theories must go beyond
immediate time and place. Extent to which theory
is tied to particular set of events/people may help
us understand what is happening here and now
but this correctness limits the theory’s ability to
provide same types of insight for other
places/time/people.
Correctness vs abstractness explains why most info
obtained from media/other individualistic, unsystematic
observations yields few insights applicable beyond set
of circumstances.
Assumptions and Assertions: Building Blocks of Theories
Complexity of theories lies in assumptions and assertations (what
does a theory assume about human beings and human
behaviour?).
Theory’s assumptions are beyond testing (they constitute the
theory’s core belief system), assumptions are taken as given and
are either rejected or accepted but they are not generally subject
to testing/modification.
Once assumptions are stated, understood, and accepted, the next
task is to consider assertations (theoretical
assertations/relationships they imply, must be testable).
If assertions are incapable of being evaluated in the real world,
then it is not a theory and rather an ideology or theology (strongly
held beliefs that are not subject to testing/critical review.
Many theorists refer to their assertions as propositions
(generalized statements about relationships) –
