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WHAT IS A THEORY?

WHAT IS A THEORY?. A set of interralated principles or constructs which have been created by a theorist in order to a. describe and organize a particular domain in a comprehensive and coherent manner;

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WHAT IS A THEORY?

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  1. WHAT IS A THEORY? A set of interralated principles or constructs which have been created by a theorist in order to • a. describe and organize a particular domain in a comprehensive and coherent manner; • b. explain or understand related facts, empirical data, and phenomena within the domain; • c. offer a conceptual framework for decision making in future theory, research, and practice.

  2. WHAT IS A THEORY? • Theory must go beyond description and organization of information to yield new insights. • These new explanations, understandings, or insights may: • increase knowledge, • call into question what is already known or assumed, • or modify existing ways of thinking. • A theory is not true or false- but is either useful or not useful.

  3. The Place of Theory • Theory has a central place in music therapy—it shapes and is shaped by practice and research. Gaston (1968) noted that theory, practice, and research are the three basic necessities of music therapy, explaining their interdependence in this oft-quoted statement: “Without practice and research, theory is impotent and unproven; without theory and research, practice is blind; and without theory and practice, research is inapplicable.”

  4. Relationship Between Theory and Practice (C. Kenny) • “Theory is the foundational structure for all clinical work—regardless of whether the theory has been clearly or formally articulated by the therapist. It is the way of thinking that every music therapist brings to his or her work with clients, consciously and/or unconsciously.”

  5. Relationship Between Theory and Practice (C. Kenny) “…practice is often the foundation of theory. As a particular method is practiced with many different clients over an extended period, certain principles, or concepts begin to emerge; and as these principles or concepts develop, a method of practice becomes more clearly defined, and a theory begins to evolve. This is a common method of theory development in music therapy, probably because the discipline is so practice-oriented.”

  6. Sources of Theory • Practice • Research findings • Other theorists writings- from within or outside of the field of Music Therapy • Indigenous theory vs. Borrowed theory

  7. Sources of Theory • Philosophical beliefs • Ontology: What do you believe about reality? What exists? (what can we know?) • Epistemology: What do you believe it is possible to know, and how? (how do we know what we know?) • Aesthetics • Ethics • Combinations of the above

  8. Objectives of Theory • Define and describe • Relate, organize, synthesize • Infer or interpret • Explain and predict

  9. Topics for Theory in MUT • Discipline (sometimes referred to as Field) • Assessment, treatment, or evaluation Foundations: of health/pathology of therapy, of music, of the therapeutic relationship • Profession • Education & training • Supervision • Research

  10. Analyzing Theory What is/are the Fundamental Premise(s) • In general, what is this theory saying about music therapy? What aspect of music therapy does the theory explicate or seek to explain?

  11. Analyzing Theory What is the nature of disease, pathology, disability, human problems? • How is health/non-health viewed from this theoretical perspective?

  12. Analyzing Theory Music?: What are the functions or roles of music in therapy within this theoretical model? What is the meaning of music in this model? Why is music a necessary component of the therapy process?

  13. Analyzing Theory Clients: How are clients’ potentials, limitations, pathologies viewed? What role(s) do clients play in therapy?

  14. Analyzing Theory Therapist: What functions does the therapist serve in the process?  What roles does the therapist play in the therapeutic process?

  15. Analyzing Theory What are the most importantdynamics of the various therapeutic relationships? (e.g., between: client & music, client & therapist, therapist & music, clients & other clients, etc.?) Which relationships are the most clinically useful?

  16. Analyzing Theory Does the theory rely on a particular music therapy method? If so, describe the reliance as it relates to the key theoretical concepts.

  17. Analyzing Theory On which established theory or theories (psychoanalytic, behavioral, existential, cognitive, etc.) is this Music Therapy theory based? OR is the theory based uniquely/purely on MUSIC and/or MUSIC THERAPY?

  18. Analyzing Theory Does the theory apply to just one population or area of disorder or is it more global in its application?

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