1. THeories
And why they matter

2. What is a theory?

3. Characteristics of scientific knowledge/theories
Empirical
Rational
Testable (falsifiable)
Parsimonious
General
Tentative
Rigorously (and publically) evaluated
Characteristics of scientific knowledge/theories

4. Example of how theories grow
Bystander intervention ->
Diffusion of responsibility->
Test in different ways->
Does it apply to other situations?->
Social impact theory
Example of how theories grow

5. What do theories do? Classify/describe things Predict Explain
Guide research
What do theories do?

6. Circular reasoning
Tautologies

7. Intervening variables
Concepts that link the IV and DV
Mediator—accounts for the relationship between the IV and DV; tells “why”
Moderator—affects the direction or strength of the relationship: tells “when” or “how”
Intervening variables