Common sense, gut instinct override theories
Dr. Kevin Costley

Education and Psychology Instructor

During my career as an educator, I have enjoyed teaching in the disciplines of education, psychology and music. The exciting part of teaching at the college level is the challenging questions that come from inquisitive students. Students bring up controversial issues quite often, and I admit it is tough to answer some of these questions. Some students want exact answers to their questions. They ultimately realize the more we delve into controversial issues, more questions invariably arise. With most theories, there aren't "correct answers." In the quest for answers, more questions arise. That's the exciting part about studying theories.

Students often ask, "Why do we have theories?" In general, a "theory" is an orderly, integrated set of statements that describes, explains and predicts behavior. Theories are influenced directly by cultural values and belief systems of their times. Theories are vital; they guide and give meaning to what we see. When a researcher investigates and collects information through observation, he needs a clear idea of what information is important to collect. He needs a clear lens in which to look though.

Valid theories are verified by research and serve as a sound basis for practical action. When knowledge precedes action, coherent plans replace floundering and groping attempts at solutions.

In the field of child development, there are multiple theories with different ideas about what children need and how they develop. Investigators do not always agree on the meaning of what they see. As yet, no single theory has been able to explain all behaviors of children. The existence of multiple theories helps advance knowledge; researchers are trying continually to support, contradict and integrate these diverse points of view.

In college classes, students then begin to realize that theories are usually extreme in thought and action. For example, most of us don't use only one theory to raise our children. We use a combination of theories that are effective and meet our needs. The development of theories is vital, even though possibly extreme and at opposite poles. It usually takes extreme views to get issues and concerns on our "thinking agenda." Theories, even extreme ones, jolt individuals and groups into change and/or at least re-evaluation of their preexisting theories.

Theories make us think! New points of view resulting in theories question our preexisting theories. New emerging theories and plans of action are implemented because of new theories (even those old theories that are recycled with a slightly different twist).

Theories definitely have their place in our world. Research resulting in theories shouldn't govern everything we do in life; there is a time that common sense and gut instinct should override theories. However, the eclectic individual considers them all.