102,882
edits
Changes
From Nordan Symposia
Jump to navigationJump to searchNew page: Image:lighterstill.jpg right|frame '''Continuum''' theories or models explain variation as involving a gradual quantitative transition without abrupt changes or...
[[Image:lighterstill.jpg]]
[[Image:Continuum.jpg|right|frame]]
'''Continuum''' theories or models explain variation as involving a gradual quantitative transition without abrupt changes or discontinuities. It can be contrasted with 'categorical' models which propose qualitatively different states.
==In physics==
In physics, for example, the [[space-time continuum model]] explains [[space]] and [[time]] as part of the same continuum rather than as separate entities. A [[spectrum]] in [[physics]] (e.g. of light) is often termed either a 'continuous spectrum' (energy at all wavelengths) or 'discrete spectrum' (energy at only certain wavelengths).
In contrast, the [[quantum theory]] includes [[quanta]], which are distinguished from continuous amounts.
==In psychology==
In [[psychology]], theories of mental [[phenomena]] can propose discrete differences between [[individual]]s (e.g. everyone has certain [[personality]] traits and not others) or a continuum (e.g. everyone lies somewhere on a particular personality dimension). This can also apply to fields such as [[law]] or [[sociology]] or [[ethics]] in explaining or judging variation in human [[behavior]].
In [[psychiatry]], categorical models seek to distinguish and define particular mental disorders or illnesses, whilst continuum or dimensional models propose that some people are more extreme than others on particular dimensions.
[[Category: Physics]]
[[Category: Psychology]]
[[Image:Continuum.jpg|right|frame]]
'''Continuum''' theories or models explain variation as involving a gradual quantitative transition without abrupt changes or discontinuities. It can be contrasted with 'categorical' models which propose qualitatively different states.
==In physics==
In physics, for example, the [[space-time continuum model]] explains [[space]] and [[time]] as part of the same continuum rather than as separate entities. A [[spectrum]] in [[physics]] (e.g. of light) is often termed either a 'continuous spectrum' (energy at all wavelengths) or 'discrete spectrum' (energy at only certain wavelengths).
In contrast, the [[quantum theory]] includes [[quanta]], which are distinguished from continuous amounts.
==In psychology==
In [[psychology]], theories of mental [[phenomena]] can propose discrete differences between [[individual]]s (e.g. everyone has certain [[personality]] traits and not others) or a continuum (e.g. everyone lies somewhere on a particular personality dimension). This can also apply to fields such as [[law]] or [[sociology]] or [[ethics]] in explaining or judging variation in human [[behavior]].
In [[psychiatry]], categorical models seek to distinguish and define particular mental disorders or illnesses, whilst continuum or dimensional models propose that some people are more extreme than others on particular dimensions.
[[Category: Physics]]
[[Category: Psychology]]
