Explain the relationship of theory to policy and to practice. Try to be concise. We would like you to recognize that although we are dealing with the same issues at each level, as we move from theory to practice we are dealing with increasing detail, increasing focus on specific people and specific situations. As we move from practice to theory we are increasing the critical distance between the problem and our thoughts about it.
Policy is written in calm, quiet rooms with no one hurt by that policy in plain view.
We increase the critical distance from the real-world problem once again as we move from policy to theory. Theory describes the interrelationships between the many factors contributing to the problem and being manipulated to handle the problem. But those engaged in practice are rarely those who rewrite policy, let alone theory. Consider alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs. Those who provide the actual services in the support groups and through direct contact are rarely those who write the policy.