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Theory and assumption can seem almost alike, but they aren't.

Here is an example:

The new teacher noticed that 3/4ths of her students resided in a lower-economic area of town. Based on this, she assumed these students would have difficulty in basic skills. Her assumption guided her to create two theories: (1) that these students would likely do poorly on standardized tests, and (2) that if she devoted 1 hour a day to reviewing basic skills, the students might improve their standardized test scores.

You can create a theory from an assumption, but the theory needs tested. So the teacher administered a first short test, and weekly tests, to measure how much students might improve. From the combined tests, she saw trends in low math and reading skills.

Assumptions are unproven.

Theories can be proved or disproved.

Either / Both assumptions and theories can be true (accurate) or false (inaccurate). But theories is the only way to develop a way to prove or disprove an assumption.

Acting on Unproven assumptions can cause problems. In the example above, if the new teacher based her actions only on her assumptions, she might have thought/concluded/ decided that these students were unteachable, too far behind to be taught, were incapable of learning, etc. Without developing a theory and testing it, she might have put all the students in a lower class and ignored the students' needs to learn the basic skills.

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13y ago
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3d ago

A theory is a well-supported explanation based on evidence and research that helps to explain a phenomenon. An assumption, on the other hand, is a belief or idea that is accepted as true without proof or evidence to support it. The main difference is that a theory is backed by evidence and research, whereas an assumption lacks this support.

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Q: What is a theory versus an assumption?
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What is an assumption based on prior experience?

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