Duration of Processes of Change According to a Causal Theory

2020 ◽  
pp. 99-109
Author(s):  
Daniel Saudek
Keyword(s):  
Causal Theory ◽  
Processes Of Change

Learning from Causal Failure

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rani Lill Anjum ◽  
Stephen Mumford
Keyword(s):  
Theory Development ◽  
Causal Theory ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
New Knowledge ◽  
Unexpected Findings

There is a diminishing return to repeated confirmations, since each new instance adds less to the case for a causal theory. In such a situation, experimental failure, unexpected findings, and negative results can be what make for the bigger theoretical breakthroughs. Such results should contribute to theory development and not, as Popper urged, their outright falsification. The failure can show where a theory is to be improved or refined: it is an opportunity for the growth or new knowledge in response to a discrepancy experience. Such a norm is reflected in the non-monotonic reasoning that is useful in thinking about causation.

scholarly journals The causal theory of knowledge revisited: An interventionist approach

Ratio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Job Grefte ◽  
Alexander Gebharter
Keyword(s):  
Causal Theory ◽  
Theory Of Knowledge

Vegetation ecology with anthropic drivers and consequences

2021 ◽  
pp. 030913332199937
Author(s):  
George P Malanson ◽  
Michelle L Talal ◽  
Elizabeth R Pansing ◽  
Scott B Franklin
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Fire Ecology ◽  
Progress Report ◽  
Processes Of Change ◽  
Community Classification ◽  
The Status ◽  
Plant Community Classification ◽  
Anthropogenic Drivers

Current research on vegetation makes a difference in people’s lives. Plant community classification is a backbone of land management, plant communities are changing in response to anthropogenic drivers, and the processes of change have impacts on ecosystem services. In the following progress report, we summarize the status of classification and recent research on vegetation responses to pollution, especially nitrogen deposition, invasive species, climate change, and land use and direct exploitation. Two areas with human feedbacks are underscored: fire ecology and urban ecology. Prominent questions at the current research frontier are highlighted with attention to new perspectives.

Prediction of Outcome for Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Using Constructs from the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 590-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Rooney ◽  
Caroline Hunt ◽  
Leanne Humphreys ◽  
David Harding ◽  
Miriam Mullen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transtheoretical Model ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Readiness To Change ◽  
Processes Of Change ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Predictive Utility ◽  
Post Traumatic

Objective: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling condition, sometimes unresponsive to treatment. The aim of the present study was to examine the predictive utility of constructs from the transtheoretical model of behaviour change (TTM) known to predict outcome for other disorders. Method: A sample of 50 veterans presenting for a PTSD treatment programme provided data for this longitudinal study. Variables were assessed at four time-points during the treatment programme. Multiple regression and mixed-effects regression were utilized to determine the predictive utility of variables from the TTM. Results: Allocated stage of change at the time of a 2 day introduction programme predicted follow-up symptom severity, but changes therein during treatment did not predict changes in symptom severity. However, changes in the continuous readiness-to-change variable and behavioural processes of change were predictive of such changes. Conclusions: Despite some difficulties in the application of the TTM to PTSD, the model does appear to predict treatment outcome. Veterans who have increased readiness to change and who make more use of behavioural processes of change are likely to have improved outcomes.

scholarly journals The Transtheoretical Model in Weight Management: Validation of the Processes of Change Questionnaire

Obesity Facts ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 433-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Andrés ◽  
Carmina Saldaña ◽  
Juana Gómez-Benito
Keyword(s):  
Weight Management ◽  
Transtheoretical Model ◽  
Processes Of Change

scholarly journals Applying the transtheoretical model to eating behaviour change: challenges and opportunities

1999 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline C. Horwath
Keyword(s):  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Transtheoretical Model ◽  
Readiness To Change ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Decisional Balance ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Dietary Behaviour ◽  
Processes Of Change ◽  
Summary Table ◽  
Stage Theories

AbstractThis review provides a rigorous investigation of the question of whether the transtheoretical model (TTM) (or stages of change model) is applicable to eating behaviour change. The TTM is currently the most popular of a number of stage theories being used to examine health behaviour change. Stage theories specify an ordered set of ‘stages of readiness to change’ into which people can be classified and identify the factors that can facilitate movement from one stage to the next. If eating behaviour change follows a stage process, then nutritionists could identify the predominant stage or stages in a population and focus resources on those issues most likely to move people to the next stage (e.g. from no intention of changing, to thinking about changing). In addressing this question, the review draws on the defining characteristics of stage theories as clarified by Weinstein et al. (1998), provides an in-depth coverage of methodological considerations, and a detailed summary table of dietary studies applying the TTM. Specific recommendations are made for improving the accuracy of dietary stage classifications. Among the key conclusions are: (1) dietary studies using the TTM have been hampered by a focus on nutritional outcomes such as dietary fat reduction, rather than clearly understood food behaviours (e.g. five servings of fruit and vegetables per day); (2) accurate stage classification systems are possible for food-based goals, but major misclassification problems occur with nutrient-based goals; (3) observation of an association between stage and dietary intake is not sufficient to demonstrate the validity of the model for dietary behaviour; (4) there is a need for valid questionnaires to measure all aspects of the TTM, and more research on the whole model, particularly the ‘processes of change’, rather than on single constructs such as ‘stage’ (5) cross-sectional studies generally support the predicted patterns of between-stage differences in decisional balance, self-efficacy, and processes of change; (6) studies which test the key hypothesis that different factors are important in distinguishing different stages are rare, as are prospective studies and stage-matched interventions. Only such studies can conclusively determine whether the TTM is applicable to eating behaviour. Since the ultimate test of the TTM will be the effectiveness of stage-matched dietary interventions, the review ends by exploring the requirements for such studies.

Hume on Necessary Causal Connections

Philosophy ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 66 (258) ◽  
pp. 517-521
Author(s):  
Katherin A. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
David Hume ◽  
Causal Theory ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cause And Effect ◽  
Causal Connections ◽  
Repeated Observation ◽  
The Mind

According to David Hume our idea of a necessary connection between what we call cause and effect is produced when repeated observation of the conjunction of two events determines the mind to consider one upon the appearance of the other. No matter how we interpret Hume's theory of causation this explanation of the genesis of the idea of necessity is fraught with difficulty. I hope to show, looking at the three major interpretations of Hume's causal theory, that his account is contradictory, plainly wrong, or (at best) inherently impossible to verify.

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