A general theory of information seeking behaviour must include an outline of an evolutionary theory of how organisms have adapted their cognitive apparatus to the demands raised in order to cope with their environments. It should describe important qualitative stages in this development and explain the teleological or goal-oriented nature of the behaviour of living organisms. Such a theory should define the essential characteristics in human information seeking, including a
description of it cultural and social determinants. It should consider the costs and benefits of information seeking, and the social mechanisms influencing its value.
Further, such a theory should explain information neglecting and avoidance, the utilisation of different kinds of information resources, the strategies used, and their efficiency. A general theory should formulate what the essential, non-trivial factors are, which can be generalised from different domains, and which are affecting the efficiency of information seeking. Such factors are related to peoples' basic world-views and to their fundamental epistemological assumptions