Chapter 2

Question 1

Association

Answer 1

A co-occurrence of two events, factors, characteristics, or activities, such that when one happens, the other is likely to occur as well. Many statistics measure this.

Question 2

Assumption

Answer 2

Parts of social theories that are not tested, but act as starting points or basic beliefs about the world. They are necessary to make other theoretical statements and to build social theory.

Question 3

Blame analysis

Answer 3

A counterfeit argument presented as if it were a theoretical explanation that substitutes attributing blame for a causal explanation and implies an intention or negligence, or responsibility for an event or situation

Question 4

Casual explanation

Answer 4

A statement in social theory about why events occur that is expressed in terms of causes and effects. They correspond to associations in the empirical world

Question 5

Classification concept

Answer 5

Complex, multidimensional concepts that have subtypes. They are parts of social theories between one simple concept and a full theoretical explanation

Question 6

Concept cluster

Answer 6

A collection of interrelated ideas that share common assumptions, belong to the same larger social theory, and refer to one another

Question 7

Deductive approach

Answer 7

An approach to inquiry or social theory in which one begins with abstract ideas and principles then works toward concrete, empirical evidence to test the ideas

Question 8

Empirical generalization

Answer 8

A quasi-theoretical statement that summarizes findings or regularities in empiricial evidence. it used few if any abstrat concepts and only makes a statement about recurring pattern that researches observe

Question 9

Grounded theory

Answer 9

Social theory that is rooted in observations of specific, concrete details

Question 10

Ideal type

Answer 10

A pure model about an idea, process, or event. One develops it to think about it more clearly and systematically. It is used both as a method of qualitative data analysis and in social theory building

Question 11

Idiographic

Answer 11

An approach that focuses on creating detailed descriptions of specific events in particular time periods and settings. It rarely goes beyond empirical generalizations to abstract social theory or causal laws

Question 12

Inductive approach

Answer 12

An approach to inquiry or social theory in which one begins with concrete empirical details, then works towards abstract ideas or general principles

Question 13

Macro-level theory

Answer 13

Social theories and explanations about more abstract, large-scale, and broad-scope aspects of social reality, such as social change in major institutions (e.g., the family, education, etc.) in a whole nation across several decades

Question 14

Micro-level theory

Answer 14

Social theories and explaantions about the concrete, small-scale, and narrow level of reality, such as face-to-face interaction in small groups during a two-month period

Question 15

Meso-level theory

Answer 15

Social theories and explanations about the middle level of social reality between a broad and narrow scope, sich as the development and operation of social organizations, communities, or social movements over a five-year period

Question 16

Negative relationship

Answer 16

An association between two variables such that as values on one varibale increase, values on the other variable fall or drecease.

Question 17

Nomothetic

Answer 17

An appproach bades on laws or one that operates according to a system of laws

Question 18

Paradigm

Answer 18

A general organizing framework for social theory and empirical research. it includes basic assumptions, major questions to be answered, models of good research practice and theory, and methods for finfing the answer to questions

Question 19

Positive relationship

Answer 19

An association between two variables such that as values on one increase, values on the other also increase

Question 20

Praxis

Answer 20

An idea in critical social science that social theory and everyday practice interact or work tofether, mutually affecting one another. This interaction can promote social change.

Question 21

Prediction

Answer 21

A statement about something that is likley to occur in the future

Question 22

Proposition

Answer 22

A basic statement in social theory that two ideas or variables are related to one another. It can be true or false (e.g., most sex offenders were themselves sexually abused when growing up), conditional (e.g., if a foreign enemy threatents, then the people of a nation will feel much stronger social solidarity), and/or causal (e.g., poverty causes crime)

Question 23

Replication

Answer 23

The principle that researchers must be able to repeat scientific findings in multiple studies to have a high level of confidence that the findings are true

Question 24

Verstehen

Answer 24

A German word that translates as understanding; specifically, it means an empathic understanding of another’s worldview