What is the Difference Between Concept and Theory?

The main difference between a concept and a theory lies in their definitions and the level of evidence supporting them:

• Concept: A concept is an idea that has been formally developed and organized. It is a general idea or a fundamental category of existence. Concepts do not have significant evidence backing them up and are more abstract notions. They are prone to morph and change.
• Theory: A theory is a set of concepts, models, principles, and definitions that make sense of a phenomenon by determining relationships among variables. It is an explanation supported by significant evidence. Theories are established and validated by experiments and evidence. They are considered the best possible educated guess surrounding a certain phenomenon. A main component of a theory is that it must be able to be tested and proved or disapproved.

In summary, a concept is an abstract idea, while a theory is a set of concepts and principles that explain a phenomenon and are supported by evidence. Theories are more comprehensive and rigorous than concepts, as they are based on experimental evidence and can be tested and refined over time.

Comparative Table: Concept vs Theory

Here is a table comparing the differences between a concept and a theory:

In summary, a concept is an abstract idea or notion, while a theory is an organized explanation supported by significant evidence. Concepts do not necessarily require evidence or testing, whereas theories must be testable and often involve experiments or validations.