Positive Elements and Limitations of Theories

- theories have limitations bc they are products of human thoughts and experience

-practitioners should know enough scientifically based theories to have the basis for for studying and explaining behavior ; one is never sufficient

-theories must be testable, internally consistent, enable predictions and encourage problem solving

-What types if empirical evidence have been obtained to support the credibility/external validity of the major theoretical constructs and enable predictions or probabilities to be accurately made?

-What useful guidance for solving practical problems of child rearing, education, clinical intervention, and health promotion, does the theory provide to promote optimum development (as defined by the particular culture)?

-common sense explanations for raising, teaching, or supervising children; interacting and predicting behaviors of family members; trying to influence behaviors of social groups

-not systematically designed

-does not meet criteria of intentionally designed theory

-allows for supernatural explanations and indeterminate factors such as luck

-differ greatly across cultures

-developmental theories (especially non-Western) often are derived from religious or philosophical perspectives

-individual development secondary due to emphasis on well-being of group (interdependence)

-range of gender differences in behavior and assumptions

-look at stats

-modern scientific methods designed to control causal factors that may interfere with what is being studied

-utilizes some type of experimental design; identifies variables, collects data, can also use quasi-experimental design

-microgenetic methods: involve collecting many successive samples of a particular behavioral process

-results analyzed statistically

-other: single-subject functional assessment designs, self-report surveys using rating scales, observation and coding of behaviors that have been operationally defined, and detection of relationships among multiple sets of controlled variables

-watch things, case studies

-primarily observational or clinical in nature

-give detailed descriptions of complex behaviors, thoughts and feelings of their subjects

-observational and interview techniques

-results are primarily descriptive in nature

-take into account the cultural, social and historical factors that may be influencing development change

-relies on rich description of ecological factors that interact with individual development paths

-use participant observations, case studies, and attempt to provide triangulation to strengthen the generalizability of their results

-often used by lifespan theorists

-use brain scans, computer simulations

-using data derived from microgenesis (collection of multiple samples of an ongoing process with results displayed in graphs or other visual displays usually generated by computers)

-more accessible now bc of computer sophistication

-evidence presented from one perspective will not always be accepted by researchers of another

-if research is done well, it is usually considered sufficient to provide support for the construct under study

-distinguish between inert information (memorized but not understood) or activated ignorance (taking incorrect information and using it)

-activated knowledge-thinking within the knowledge of thie discipline; essential for problem solving and problem finding

Activated Knowledge Questions

Examples of This

-Can I explain the underlying system of ideas that defines this theory?

-Can I explain the most basic ideas in it to someone who doesn't understand it?

-Could I write a glossary of its most basic vocabulary?

-Do I understand the extent to which the theory involves a great deal or very little expert disagreement?

-Have I written out the basic logic of the theory?

-Can I compare and contrast the logic of the theory with that of other theories?

-To what extent can I relate the subject to significant problems in the world?

-To what extent can I relate the subject to significant problems in the world?

-To what extent has thinking in this field helped me to become more intellectually autonomous?