TT. Theories

TT. Theories and Theory Types [See Classifying Theories] [Types of, then examples of]

1. Theories of a philosophical nature [the types below refer to scientific theories as distinguished from philosophical theories] [Link to TF5]

3. Type of agent not specified

4. Non-intentional individual

5. Non-intentional relationship

6. Non-intentional group

7. Intentional individual

8. Intentional relationship

9. Intentional group

Each of the above seven types of scientific theory can be clarified with a two-letter code. The first letter captures the essence of action and decision-making:

a. No action or decision-making specified

b. Acts (for non-intentional agents)

c. Reacts (for non-intentional agents)

d. Acts but no clear decision-making

e. Reacts but no clear decision-making

f. Forms attitudes but no clear decision-making

g. Acts rationally

h. Reacts rationally

i. Forms attitudes rationally

j. Acts intuitively

k. Reacts intuitively

l. Forms attitudes intuitively

m. Acts according to rules

n. Reacts according to rules

o. Forms attitudes according to rules

p. Acts according to tradition, mimics

q. Reacts according to tradition, mimics

r. Forms attitudes according to tradition, mimics

s. Acts according to values, concern for process

t. Reacts according to values, concern for process

u. Forms attitudes according to values, concern for process

v. Rational decision, but type of decision not specified

w. Intuitive decision, but type of decision not specified.

x. Rule-based decision, but type of decision not specified

y. Tradition-based decision, but type of decision not specified

z. Value/process-based decision, but type of decision not specified

The second letter captures the nomothetic/idiographic distinction, and the type of process involved:

a. Nomothetic, return to original equilibrium

b. Nomothetic, move to new equilibrium

c. Nomothetic, cycle

d. Nomothetic, move in particular direction

e. Nomothetic, stochastic

f. Nomothetic, type of process not specified

g. Idiographic, return to original equilibrium

h. Idiographic, move to new equilibrium

i. Idiographic, cycle

j. Idiographic, move in particular direction

k. Idiographic, stochastic

l. Idiographic, type of process not specified

m. Generalizability not specified, return to original equilibrium

n. Generalizability not specified, move to new equilibrium

o. Generalizability not specified, cycle

p. Generalizability not specified, move in particular direction

q. Generalizability not specified, stochastic

r. Generalizability not specified, type of process not specified

Cutter numbers can be used after or instead of the coding for theory type to identify a precise theory (but theories should wherever possible be coded for theory types for the purpose of subject searching). Coding for theory type is especially important in order to avoid confusion when theories are known by ambiguous titles.