A process theory is a system of ideas that explains how an entity changes and develops.
Process
A process is a series or set of activities that interact to produce a result; it may occur once-only or be recurrent or periodic.
Things called a process include:
Business and management
*Business process, activities that produce a specific se ...
theories are often contrasted with variance theories, that is, systems of ideas that explain the
variance
In probability theory and statistics, variance is the expectation of the squared deviation of a random variable from its population mean or sample mean. Variance is a measure of dispersion, meaning it is a measure of how far a set of numbers ...
in a
dependent variable
Dependent and independent variables are variables in mathematical modeling, statistical modeling and experimental sciences. Dependent variables receive this name because, in an experiment, their values are studied under the supposition or demand ...
based on one or more
independent variable
Dependent and independent variables are variables in mathematical modeling, statistical modeling and experimental sciences. Dependent variables receive this name because, in an experiment, their values are studied under the supposition or demand ...
s. While process theories focus on how something happens, variance theories focus on why something happens. Examples of process theories include evolution by
natural selection
Natural selection is the differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in phenotype. It is a key mechanism of evolution, the change in the heritable traits characteristic of a population over generations. Charle ...
,
continental drift
Continental drift is the hypothesis that the Earth's continents have moved over geologic time relative to each other, thus appearing to have "drifted" across the ocean bed. The idea of continental drift has been subsumed into the science of pla ...
and the
nitrogen cycle
The nitrogen cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which nitrogen is converted into multiple chemical forms as it circulates among atmospheric, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems. The conversion of nitrogen can be carried out through both biologi ...
.
Process theory archetypes
Process theories come in four common
archetype
The concept of an archetype (; ) appears in areas relating to behavior, historical psychology, and literary analysis.
An archetype can be any of the following:
# a statement, pattern of behavior, prototype, "first" form, or a main model that ot ...
s. Evolutionary process theories explain change in a population through variation, selection and retention—much like biological evolution. In a dialectic process theory, “stability and change are explained by reference to the balance of power between opposing entities” (p. 517). In a teleological process theory, an agent “constructs an envisioned end state, takes action to reach it and monitors the progress” (p. 518). In a lifecycle process theory, “the trajectory to the final end state is prefigured and requires a particular historical sequence of events” (p. 515); that is, change always conforms to the same series of activities, stages, phases, like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly.
Applications and examples
Process theories are important in management and software engineering. Process theories are used to explain how decisions are made how software is designed and how software processes are improved.
Motivation theories can be classified broadly into two different perspectives: Content and Process theories.
*
Content theories
Content theory is a subset of motivational theories that try to define what motivates people. Content theories of motivation often describe a system of needs that motivate peoples' actions. While process theories of motivation attempt to explain h ...
deal with ''“what”'' motivates people and it is concerned with individual needs and goals. Maslow, Alderfer, Herzberg and McClelland studied motivation from a “content” perspective.
*Process theories deal with the “process” of motivation and are concerned with ''“how”'' motivation occurs. Vroom, Porter & Lawler, Adams and Locke studied motivation from a “process” perspective.
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Process theories are also used in education, psychology, geology and many other fields; however, they are not always called "process theories".
See also
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Interactions of actors theory In information theory, Interactions of actors theory is a theory developed by Gordon Pask and Gerard de Zeeuw. It is a generalisation of Pask's earlier conversation theory: The chief distinction being that conversation theory focuses on analysing ...
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Process-oriented psychology
Process-oriented psychology, also called process work, is a depth psychology theory and set of techniques developed by Arnold Mindell and associated with transpersonal psychology,Collins, M. (2001). Who Is Occupied ? Consciousness, Self Awareness ...
*
Process philosophy
Process philosophy, also ontology of becoming, or processism, is an approach to philosophy that identifies processes, changes, or shifting relationships as the only true elements of the ordinary, everyday real world. In opposition to the classic ...
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Process architecture
Process architecture is the structural design of general process systems. It applies to fields such as computers (software, hardware, networks, etc.), business processes ( enterprise architecture, policy and procedures, logistics, project managemen ...
Notes
References
A Brief Introduction to Motivation Theory