Theory development in perspective: the role of conceptual frameworks and models in theory development

An analysis of most scientific theories reveals the presence of a variety of components which function as constitutive elements of theories. Wider cultural paradigms often influence the construction and content of theories in a decisive way. Analogies between incongruent domains provide significant points of departure for the development of models which are often metaphoric in nature. Different metaphors provide alternative conceptual frameworks in terms of which it is possible to describe and explain nursing phenomena. Scientific theories that are developed on the basis of such metaphorical models are limited in their explanatory capacity. When the intrinsic limitations of such scientific models are not recognized, they often lead to distorted, one-sided and reductionistic explanations of phenomena. Metaphysical assumptions concerning the nature of human beings, illness, health, etc., are also of decisive significance in this process, e.g. mechanistic models based on a naturalistic view of man lead theorizing astray. These theses are illustrated with reference to behavioral systems theory as developed by Dorothy Rogers.