Final answer:
The working concept of a topic is referred to by a Conceptual model. Conceptual models help in understanding and predicting complexities, whereas theories provide a well-substantiated explanation confirmed through testing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The model that refers to the working concept of a topic is the Conceptual model. A conceptual model is an abstract representation that is designed to help us understand and predict how certain aspects of the world work. It is different from a structural model, which is more about the arrangement and relationships between parts, or a functional model, which emphasizes the purpose and behavior of the system. Conceptual models are used in various fields, including sociology, software engineering, and user experience design, to create frameworks that assist in explaining complex systems, behaviors, or phenomena. They can be pivotal in helping to visualize and communicate the essence of a concept, especially in areas like relativity and quantum mechanics, where intuitive understanding may be challenging.
A conceptual model is not to be confused with a theory; a theory is generally a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation. Therefore, while both models and theories aid in understanding, a model is more of a representational tool, while a theory is an explanatory framework.