always-already given
1. (givenness) Broadly, in cultural theory, a key abstract concept that is taken for granted as an essential starting-point for any theory—often inexplicit but nevertheless the philosophical ...
asocial
1. The absence of a social dimension in a theory.2. An individual trait of avoiding social interactions or of lacking social sensitivity.
categoricity
Informally, a theory is categorical if it describes, or characterizes, only one structure. The idea is that all the models of the theory are notational variants of each other. Technically ...
chemistry
The study of the elements and the compounds they form. Chemistry is mainly concerned with effects that depend on the outer electrons in atoms. See biochemistry; geochemistry; inorganic chemistry; ...
communication theory
The study of communication systems through mathematical models of their operation. It is broadly divided into information theory (the entropy formulation of sources and channels) and coding theory ...
construct
(n.) A term used in behavioral sciences to describe a conceptual framework or theory, often called a social construct, based on observations, empirically verifiable facts or events.
deduction
The form of reasoning characteristic of logic and mathematics in which a conclusion is inferred from a set of premises that logically imply it. The term also denotes a conclusion drawn by this ...
empirical
Derived from observation or experiment rather than speculation or theory. See also a posteriori, a priori, empiricism. [From Greek en in + peira a trial + -ikos of or relating to]
essentialism
[Th]The idea that there are certain attitudes or emotions that are biologically inherent to human beings in general or to males or females differently. Essentialist claims are often backed up with ...
evidence
That which raises or lowers the probability of a proposition. The central question of epistemology is the structure of this process and its ultimate rationale.
fact
Fact is stranger than fiction an alliterative version of truth is stranger than fiction; saying recorded from the mid 19th century.a fact of life something that must be accepted and cannot be ...
factual
1. As opposed to fictional, relating to the real world (see also fiction); as in factual genres.2. As opposed to evaluative or interpretive, relating to what is objectively true: see also evaluation; ...
folk psychology
*Common-sense assumptions, principles, and beliefs within a culture on which people draw and to which they refer in seeking to account for aspects of behaviour encountered in everyday life or ...
fragmentation
A method of asexual reproduction, occurring in some invertebrate animals, in which parts of the organism break off and subsequently differentiate and develop into new individuals. It occurs ...
function
1. A generic application for which some tool or medium is primarily designed, or which is attributed to it within a functionalist framework, as distinct from the specific purposes of users on ...
great divide theories
*Theories in the comparative analysis of modes of communication which assume or refer to a binary divide or dichotomy between different kinds of society or human experience: primitive vs civilized, ...
grounded theory
(grownd-id)a theory or hypothesis developed from data generated from interviews and observations of people in their own environment.
hermeneutic circle
1. In philosophy, the problem of the circularity of understanding: where understanding A presupposes understanding B, which in turn presupposes understanding A.2. In hermeneutics a dialogical ...
hypodermic model
1. Not so much a model or a theory as a metaphor for a popular assumption that communication involves the transfer of ideas, thoughts, feelings, facts, information, knowledge, or meanings from sender ...
hypothesis
A statement of the expected relationship between things being studied, which is intended to explain certain facts or observations. An idea to be tested.
