A theory is aimed at a generalized statement aimed at explaining a phenomenon. A model, on the other hand, is a purposeful representation of reality. Another way to link the two and point out differences is, a model is often used to describe an application of a theory for a particular case.

Models are always limited in their validity, because we do not have access to all of the relevant data, or to perfect paradigms by which to interpret the data.

Like theories, scientific laws describe phenomena that the scientific community has found to be provably true. Generally, laws describe what will happen in a given situation as demonstrable by a mathematical equation, whereas theories describe how the phenomenon happens.

What happens to matter when its temperature increases? Its particles move around faster. The material that is made up of the particles expands. In simple terms, it increases in volume.

operational definitions. what is the advantage of using an operation definition? it guarantees that other researchers will know exactly how you define & measured your variable. reliability or validity of a measurement procedure is usually established. consistent positive or negative relationship.

an explanatory concept that is not itself directly observable but that can be inferred from observed or measured data. For example, a personality dimension, such as neuroticism, might be described as a theoretical construct measurable by means of a questionnaire. …

Sociologists (Zetterberg, 1965) refer to at least four types of theory: theory as classical literature in sociology, theory as sociological criticism, taxonomic theory, and scientific theory. These types of theory have at least rough parallels in social education. Some of them might be useful for guiding research.

Constructs are broad concepts or topics for a study. Constructs can be conceptually defined in that they have meaning in theoretical terms. Examples of constructs include intelligence or life satisfaction. Variables are created by developing the construct into a measurable form.

The major psychological constructs that have been advanced to explain sex differences in pain are coping, catastrophizing, and affect (anxiety and depression).

Four common accounts have been put forward: psychological constructs are natural, social, practical, or complex kinds.

Intelligence, motivation, anxiety, and fear are all examples of constructs. In psychology, a construct is a skill, attribute, or ability that is based on one or more established theories. Constructs exist in the human brain and are not directly observable. You also cannot directly observe fear or motivation.

Happiness is a psychological term with an increasing popularity that groups theories concerned with the essence of human well-being. There are several theories of happiness that cover a wide range of experience and functioning.

But, how do we get it? Diener identifies five factors that contribute to happiness: social relationships, temperament/adaptation, money, society and culture, and positive thinking styles. Happy people have strong social relationships.

The definition of happiness is the state of joy, peace and tranquility. An example of happiness is a bride’s feeling of joy on her wedding day. The emotion of being happy; joy. (archaic) Good luck; good fortune; prosperity.

Broadly speaking, however, there are 3 main types of happiness, these being related to; pleasure, passion and purpose.

The first type, known as eudaimonic well-being, is happiness associated with a sense of purpose or a meaning in life. The second, known as hedonic well-being, is happiness as the result of “consummatory self-gratification” or happiness not associated with a purpose but rather a response to a stimulus or behavior.

Level 4: Ultimate Good Even those who don’t believe in a higher power can find happiness in their pursuit of truth, beauty, love and goodness in themselves and in helping others. This level of happiness is often considered the most enduring and profound.

Eudaimonia

A virtuous person is someone who performs the distinctive activity of being human well. Aristotle defines moral virtue as a disposition to behave in the right manner and as a mean between extremes of deficiency and excess, which are vices.

About Aristotle’s Ethics

• The highest good and the end toward which all human activity is directed is happiness, which can be defined as continuous contemplation of eternal and universal truth.
• One attains happiness by a virtuous life and the development of reason and the faculty of theoretical wisdom.

As we will see, however, there is an important difference: while many contemporary theorists think of freedom as simply the capacity to guide one’s own actions, without reference to the object or objects sought through action, Aristotle conceives of freedom as the capacity to direct oneself to those ends which one’s …