Week 1 Social Theory Flashcards
Theory definition
An assumption based on a set of ideas and general principles that seeks to explain something.
Social Theory definition:
- The study……………….
- Encompasses…………..
The study of scientific ways of thinking about social life.
It encompasses ideas about how societies change and develop,
about methods of explaining social behavior, about power and social structures, class, gender and ethnicity, modernity and ‘civilization, revolutions and utopias, and numerous other concepts and problems of social life
Scientific Theory Definition
- It is………….
- based on………….
A well-substantiated explanation of some aspects of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment
Sociology and Social Theory are concerned with
Relations of “sociation” between “members” or “partners” AND processes of “sociation” and “socialization” between individuals
Social Theory is also a
social theory & scientific thinking
Practice of thinking about what science and “being scientific” means with respect to the social world
What does scientific thinking entail?
- Apply………………
- Involves an effort to ………….. -
- Apply a method /methods to the study of something and to do consistently & transparently
- Involves an effort to maintain objectivity - distinguish systematically between the data/evidence (things that exist independently of the observer) and the ideas supplied by the observer as a way of ordering what they observe.
Explain the postitivst conception of science
- Previously, disciplines………
- The foundation of “positive science”………
- Previously, disciplines were only considered sciences if they copied/imitated natural sciences methodology
- The foundation of “positive science” was the premise that all sciences must be unified under one fundamental principle - pure observation, undistorted by observer preconceptions.
The critique of positivism in social sciences/Why can’t this positivist idea of science apply to social sciences
- Most……………….
- They agree……………..
- The “Human sciences” study
- Therefore,
- Most social theorists and philosophers today reject this 19th-century positivist view of science.
- They agree that human affairs can’t be studied like the natural sciences and dismiss simplistic views of the natural sciences.
- The “Human sciences” study the meanings, values, intentions, beliefs, and ideas within human behavior and social organisations/events/objects, which are products of cultural and historical contexts.
- Therefore, they cannot be fully comprehended/studied using regular cause-and-effect relations like physical elements in natural science experiments.
- To be “methodical” is…..
- To apply a “method/methods” is…..
- Methodology definition
- To be systematic in the pursuit of something
- To use some particular technique/techniques in the pursuit/study of something
- A theoretical principle/principles governing the application of a set of methods
The central issue surrounding methodology
The relationship between the evidence/data and the theories governing the application of methods in order to produce & analyse the evidence/data
Complete the quote
“X is impossible without Y and Y is impossible without X”
- X = Theory
- Y = Empircal observation
The importance of Theoretical thinking
- Theoretical thought……..
- Supplies the………
- It is the only………
- Theoretical thought is always presupposed in research
- Supplies the criteria for observational selections and discriminations
- It is the only way in which ordered accounts and evaluations of data can be produced
Where does social theory originate?
- Originates from……..
- It is only a more…….
- From everyday life from a variety of contexts of conversation, discussion, and interaction between people
- It is only a more reflective expression of the disputes & agendas of ordinary communication about social & political issues
The only NB difference between social theory & common sense
Social theory seeks to systematize & clarify debates about goals & problems of social life through well-defined concepts & techniques of analysis, trying to discern reliable observations in contrast to biases & stereotypes.
Types of Social Theory
- General Theories
- Specific Theories
- General Theory
- Specific Theory
- Deals with major issues such as the nature of society and how societies change e.g. conflict theory, structural functionalism
- Concerned with an aspect of society such as work and labour, and family structure e.g. labour process theory, family systems theory
List 5 functions of social theory:
- E
- P
- I
- D
- R
- to Explain an event
- to Predict an occurence
- to Influence the direction of action
- to Direct how things are done
- to Respond to something that is happening in society
Social theory vs Political theory:
1. Differences:
* Pol vs Soc focus
2. Similarities:
* Common Themes
Similarities: Both explore……….. and contribute to…..
- Differences
* Pol focus: primarily addresses (more) normative questions (in character) than ST e.g. about systems of governance & societal values and obedience to authority.
* Soc focus: primarily interested in how people come to be constituted as social groups and their social behaviors, structures, and dynamics - Similarities:
Both explore issues of power, structure, & social change, and contribute to understanding how societies function & evolve.
Social Theory vs Psychology:
1. Differences:
* Focus
* Research methods
2. Similarities:
Less similarities and more so connection.
- Differences:
* Focus: Soc on formation & dynamics of social groups, on collective behaviours, structures, & societal influences. VS ** Psych** on individual behaviour, cognition, & emotional processes
* RM: Psych often relies on repeatable experiments & quantit. data to understand human behaviour VS Soc may utilize qualitit. methods (ethnography) to explore social phenomena - Similarities:
Interdisciplinary Connections - can inform each other; SOC T can provide context for Psych phenomena & Psych can offer insights into individ. behaviours within social structures.
Social Theory vs The Humanties - Anthro:
1. Differences:
* Focus
* Methodological Approach
2. Similarities
Similarities:
1. Both concerned w.
2. Can inform……
- Differences:
* Focus: Anthro primarily investigates cultural practices, beliefs & social structures of primarily non-western (influenced)/urbanized societies. VS Soc more concerned w. broader social patterns, structures, and behaviors (of more urbanized/complex societies).
* MA: Anthro often reliant on ethnographic methods & qualitit. data/approaches. VS Soc more reliant on a variety of methods, quantit & qualitit data/approaches & can also rely on macro-level theoretical frameworks. - Similarities:
Interdisciplinary Connections -
* Both concerned w. understanding human behavior & social organization.
* Can inform each other e.g. anthro insights can enhance social theory by providing context about specific cultural practices.
Social Theory vs The Humanties - Philo:
1. Differences:
* Focus
* Methodological Approach
2. Similarities
- Differences:
* Focus: Philo w. primarily abstract concepts & often more concerned w. non-empirical questions. VS Soc more on empirical social structures & the dynamics of social groups -> more concerned w. empirical questions.
* MA: Philo inquiry largely based on argumentation, reflective thinking & dialectical methods. VS Soc may utilize empirical research methods to analyze societal issues & structures - Similarities:
Both share an interest in understanding the nature of human behavior & society
