| Contemporary Sociological Theory |
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Sociological theories are relevant to the world of Work and Family , Power , Freedom , Discrimination and Oppression . They relate to how we see that world, understand it, and explain it, as well as how we act in it and thus what it becomes. Major dimensions along which sociological theories differ are: methodology, subject matter, assumptions, types of questions. Methodology: Inductive vs Deductive A deductive approach begins with explanatory Hypotheses and logically deduces its empirical implications. With an inductive approach Scientists begin by immersing themselves in the data and gradually construct a theory. Subject matter: Macro vs Micro The macro approach is concerned with the large-scale characteristics of social structure and roles; the micro approach is concerned with person-to-person encounters and the details of human interaction and communication. Assumptions: Examples of opposed assumptions are: (1) Human behavior is viewed as essentially determined and so predictable vs behavior is influenced to a great extent by human creativity; (2) behavior is motivated primarily by interests vs motivation by values. Types of questions: theorists describe or explain vs theorists predict. Explanations based on general principles may not permit much in the way of prediction (i.e. Evolution Theory ). Conversely, prediction can be based on statistical correlation and lack an understanding of complexities. The fact that sociological theory does not form a cumulative body of knowledge does not mean we cannot apply theories that contradict each other. The test of a theory is whether it helps us understand reality. Different theories can shed light on different aspects of human society. In Popper’s words, they are all “nets to catch what we call ‘the world’ – to rationalize, to explain and to master it.” (Wallace & Wolf, Contemporay Sociological Theory) |
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