"the" in front of "theory"

[White Hat]

I've noticed that they almost always omit "the" in front of the word "theory". Is that OK?

Here's my sentence:

In 1973, David McClelland, considered the founder of the competency theory, published an article called "Testing for Competence Rather Than Intelligence".

Do I have to place "the" in front of "theory" here? Thank you in advance.

 

[emsr2d2]

Is that a recognised theory? If so, I would expect to see the article and then for the theory to be capitalised:

"In 1973, David McClelland, considered [to be] the founder of the Competency Theory, published an article ..."

 

[White Hat]

Yes, judging by what the article is talking about, that is a recognized theory. I'm a kinda perplexed now as to whether the article should be placed before "theory". I just want you to tell me if these are wrong:

Hobbes, perhaps the founder of social contract theory, writes that without some form of government, "...the life of man [is] solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."

Research by Bowlby, the founder of attachment theory, showed that the bond between a child and their primary caregiver was essential in aiding a child’s survival both physically and emotionally.

What bothers me is that the article is omitted in the majority of cases.

 

[bhaisahab]

I wouldn't use the article.
Where did you find the sentence?

 

[White Hat]

It's from a paper I'm translating from Russian.

 

[White Hat]

As an aside, I've just figured out that it's actually called "competence theory".

 

[Tdol]

I think the founder of competence theory sounds OK.

 

[emsr2d2]

Despite my original response, so do I. I like a good rethink. ;-)

 

[Rover_KE]

But we say 'My old physics teacher, Tess Choob, taught me all about the Theory of Relativity' and 'I gradually came to understand Einstein's [no 'the'] Theory of Relativity'.

 

[MikeNewYork]

We also say "chaos theory", no "the". The application of articles is often quirky.

 

[White Hat]

But we say 'My old physics teacher, Tess Choob, taught me all about the Theory of Relativity' and 'I gradually came to understand Einstein's [no 'the'] Theory of Relativity'.

Yes, if there's an "of" after the word "theory", they use the article. Great discussion!

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes, if there's an "of" after the word "theory", they use the article.

We don't in 'Einstein's Theory of Relativity'.

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

I think this question is being looked at from the wrong angle.

You may or may not put "the" in front of competence theory, social contract theory, attachment theory or any other theory that you care to mention, dependant on whether it is a recognised theory or not, and so on and so forth. But in all of these cases, the word theory comes after the name.

When the word "theory" precedes the appellation you have to put either a name or some sort of determiner first, e.g. Einstien's Theory of Relativity or the Theory of Relativity.

 

[White Hat]

We don't in 'Einstein's Theory of Relativity'.

Yes, that goes without saying! The issue has been resolved. I appreciate it.

 

[5jj]

Yes, that goes without saying!

But it didn't. Rover responded to your "Yes, if there's an "of" after the word "theory", they use the article". His words needed saying for the benefit of members with less knowledge than you.