Theoretical definition

Short description: Definition of a word based on theories on its nature

A theoretical definition defines a term in an academic discipline, functioning as a proposal to see a phenomenon in a certain way. A theoretical definition is a proposed way of thinking about potentially related events.[1][2] Theoretical definitions contain built-in theories; they cannot be simply reduced to describing a set of observations. The definition may contain implicit inductions and deductive consequences that are part of the theory.[3] A theoretical definition of a term can change, over time, based on the methods in the field that created it.

Without a falsifiable operational definition, conceptual definitions assume both knowledge and acceptance of the theories that it depends on.[1] A hypothetical construct may serve as a theoretical definition, as can a stipulative definition.

## Contents

* 1 In different fields
* 1.1 Sciences
* 1.1.1 Natural sciences
* 1.1.2 Social and health sciences
* 1.2 Interdisciplinary
* 2 Examples
* 2.1 In natural science
* 2.1.1 Physics
* 2.2 In Medicine
* 2.3 In social science
* 2.3.1 Union
* 2.4 Philosophy
* 3 See also
* 4 References

## In different fields

### Sciences

The term scientific theory is reserved for concepts that are widely accepted. A scientific law often refers to regularities that can be expressed by a mathematical statement. However, there is no consensus about the distinction between these terms.[4] Every scientific concept must have an operational definition, however the operational definition can use both direct observations and latent variables.[5]

#### Natural sciences

In the natural sciences, a concept is an abstract conclusion drawn from observations.[5]

#### Social and health sciences

Social and health sciences interact with non-empirical fields and use both observation based and pre-existing concepts such as intelligence, race, and gender.

* In psychology the term "conceptual definition" is used for a concept variable.[6]

### Interdisciplinary

Most interdisciplinary fields are designed to address specific real world concerns and the status of theoretical definitions in interdisciplinary fields is still evolving.[7]

## Examples

Theoretical or Conceptual definition | Operational definition

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Weight: a measurement of gravitational force acting on an object  | a result of measurement of an object on a Newton spring scale

### In natural science

The definitions of substances as various configurations of atoms are theoretical definitions, as are definitions of colors as specific wavelengths of reflected light.

#### Physics

The first postulate of special relativity theory that the speed of light in vacuum is the same to all inertial observers (i.e. it is a constant, and therefore a good measure of length). Of interest, this theoretical concept is the basis of an operational definition for the length of a metre is "the distance traveled by light in a vacuum during a time interval of 1/299,792,458 of a second". Thus we have defined 'metre' according to other ideas contained in modern scientific theory. Rejection of the theory underlying a theoretical definition leaves the definition invalid for use in argument with those who reject it — neither side will advance its position by using terms the others do not accept [citation needed].

Heat explains a collection of various laws of nature and that predict certain results.[2]

### In Medicine

### In social science

#### Union

In psychology, the concept of intelligence is meant to explain correlations in performance on certain cognitive tasks.[8] Recent models suggest several cognitive processes may be involved in tasks that have been associated with intelligence.[9] However, overall the "g" or general intelligence factor is relatively supported by research[citation needed], though there are challenges.

### Philosophy

Differing theoretical definitions of "thinking" have caused conflict amongst artificial intelligence philosophers, illustrated for example by the different responses to the Chinese room experiment.[citation needed] Some philosophers might call "thought" merely "having the ability to convince another person that you can think".[citation needed] An operational definition corresponding to this theoretical definition could be a simple conversation test (e.g. Turing test). Others believe that better theoretical and operational definitions are required.

## See also

* Construct
* General Conference on Weights and Measures
* International Committee for Weights and Measures
* Latent variable
* Operational definition
* Stipulative definitions

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 About.com, Logical Arguments, "Theoretical Definitions"
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Concise Introduction to Logic by Patrick J. Hurley. 2007. Cengage learning. Entry on "Theoretical Definitions" may even be available through google books[full citation needed]
3. ↑ (6 January 2009). Theory and Observation in Science. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
4. ↑ Scientific Laws And Theories. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Watt, James H.; van den Berg, Sjef (2002). Philosophy of Science, Empiricism, and the Scientific Method. pp. 11. http://www.cios.org/readbook/rmcs/rmcs.htm. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
6. ↑ Hypotheses. Retrieved on 5 December 2016.
7. ↑ Defining Interdisciplinary Studies. Retrieved on 5 December 2016.
8. ↑ "Intelligent intelligence testing". http://www.apa.org/monitor/feb03/intelligent.aspx.
9. ↑ Conway, Andrew R.A; Cowan, Nelson; Bunting, Michael F; Therriault, David J; Minkoff, Scott R.B (1999). "A latent variable analysis of working memory capacity, short-term memory capacity, processing speed, and general fluid intelligence". Intelligence 30 (2): 163–183. doi:10.1016/S0160-2896(01)00096-4.

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* t
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Definition

* Circular
* Concept
* Coordinative
* Enumerative
* Extensional
* Fallacies of
* Intensional
* Genus–differentia
* Lexical
* Operational
* Ostensive
* Persuasive
* Precising
* Recursive
* Stipulative
* Theoretical

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