CRIM 104 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Human Science, Age Of Enlightenment, Gregor Mendel
11 Dec 2015
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Document Summary
Macrotheories, microtheories, metatheories, unit theories, bridging theories, structural theories, process theories everything you always wanted to know about theory, but were afraid to ask. Good theory is logically constructed (logically sound and internally consistent) Good theory can be empirically validated (i. e. , through measurement or observation) Good theory can unify a number of competing or conflicting theories. Theory may be good, but we may lack the means to measure or observe. Some theories have been measured only once, or from only one perspective (may appear to have been proven, but not through repeated research). Metatheories = grand theories that offer wide concepts. Unit theories = emphasize a particular problem and make testable assertions about the problem. Macrotheories are broad, and tend to explain the effects of social structure. Microtheories are narrow, and tend to explain the process through which individuals or groups become criminal. Bridging theories attempt to address issues of social structure and the process through which individuals become criminal.
