Friday, August 28, 2015 © 1998-2002 by Ronald Keith Bolender1 SYA 3010 Sociological Theory:...

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

© 1998-2002 by Ronald Keith Bolender 1

SYA 3010 Sociological Theory:

Introduction to Theory DevelopmentandIntroduction to Sociological Paradigms



Theory and Paradigm

As has been mentioned, this theory course and many of the lectures

and reading will seem very abstract and difficult to follow as

compared to other courses. However, by reading and

reviewing several times and making notations in your own words may be helpful to you.



ICA: Theory and Paradigm Worksheet

Define common sense. Give two examples

Define scientific inquiry.Define paradigm.

Give an example.Define assumption (as it relates to

paradigm).Define theory.




Divide into groups of 2-3Share definitions and

examples



Scientific Inquiry versus Common Sense

Common SenseThe definition of common sense is:

1: the unreflective opinions of ordinary men 2: sound and prudent but often unsophisticated judgement (Mish 1991:266)

Common sense is a valuable tool for our everyday lives -- we would not want to totally demean its value




Scientific InquiryThe definition for scientific inquiry is:

A deliberate, focused, systematic, and logical means of explaining an observable event in one’s world (Bolender 1993:11)




The scientific method provides a more thorough, thoughtful explanation of events than most common sense answers could give. The scientific method may conclude that it has not found a good answer to the purpose of the event, however that is generally still a more thorough answer than most common sense answers provide (Bolender 1993:11-12).




Most people are constantly in the process of making informal observations about their world. Attempts are made to describe, explain, predict, and control daily events (Bunker, Pearlson, and Schulz 1975).




Perception Screening DevicesCommon Sense

The layperson uses common sense to deal with everyday observations (Selltiz, Wrightsman, and Cook 1976). Laypeople use subjective ideas (opinions) to determine if an observation is reliable (Bunker, Pearlson, and Schulz 1975).




Scientific Inquiry Evidence (objective facts) is used in

scientific inquiry to indicate if an idea is supportable (Bunker, Pearlson, and Schulz 1975).




Real World ExamplesFreshman Seminar (Bolender

1994)Reducing Crime in Major

Cities (Moffit 1996)




The sociologist as The sociologist as a destroyer of a destroyer of

myths.myths.

Norbert Elias ([1970] 1978:50)




Scientific inquiry--Scientific inquiry--

How will this help How will this help me in real life?me in real life?



Theory and Paradigm

ParadigmThe definition of a paradigm is:

Paradigms. . . are taken-for-granted ideas and assumptions not debated by members of a scientific discipline (Denisoff, Callahan, and Levine 1974).



Theory and Paradigm

When paradigms change, the When paradigms change, the world itself changes with them. world itself changes with them.

Led by a new paradigm, Led by a new paradigm, scientists adapt new scientists adapt new

instruments and look in new instruments and look in new places.places.

Thomas Samuel Kuhn (1970:110?)



Theory and Paradigm

Does one’s paradigm make Does one’s paradigm make any difference in the real any difference in the real world? world? You bet it doesYou bet it does!!

“Why Doctors Are Not Curing Ulcers”

Brian O’Reilly (1997:100-112)



Theory and Paradigm

AssumptionThe definition of assumption is:

. . . a preconception or “given.” . . . it refers to something that is taken for granted (Perdue 1986:5-6).



Theory and Paradigm

For example: Plato’s Six Basic Assumptions of Society (he was a sociologist before the discipline officially existed)

• Man is an organism.• Organisms tend toward survival.• Man survives in groups.• Man is a social animal.• Man lives in an ordered society.• The order of society is knowable.

(Rose 1967 and Carroll 1972 in Denisoff, Callahan, and Levine 1974:4-5)



Theory and Paradigm

TheoryA definition of theory is:

. . . A theory is a logical deductive-inductive system of concepts, definitions, and propositions which states a relationship between two or more selected aspects of phenomena and from which testable hypotheses can be derived (Ward 1974:39).



Theory and Paradigm

Theories in sociology are intended to be descriptive, explanatory, and predictive of phenomena of interest to the discipline and to its individual practitioners (Ward 1974:39).

A theory is a set of concepts plus the interrelationships that are assumed to exist among those concepts. A theory also includes consequences that we assume logically to follow from the relationships proposed in the theory. These consequences are called hypotheses (Selltiz, Wrightsman, and Cook 1976).



Theory and Paradigm

PropositionA definition of proposition:

. . . are “statements about the nature of reality” which describe connections between phenomena or events. “Man is an organism and must eat to survive” is a propositional statement which can easily be put to the test. At a higher level sociologists may say, “Changes in the economic structure will result in changes in the nonmaterial aspects of society.” This statement can also be put to the test (Phillips 1971:52 in Denisoff, Callahan, and Levine 1974:23).



Theory and Paradigm

ConceptTheories also contain concepts,

which are created by giving names to events, phenomena, and processes. Concepts are merely the symbols scientists use as a form of shorthand (Denisoff, Callahan, and Levine 1974:23).



Theory and Paradigm

“Each concept communicates to the specialist a vast amount of experience, abstracted and clarified for those who understand the term (Goode and Hatt 1952:44 in Denisoff, Callahan, and Levine 1974:23).Example: Status is a concept which refers to

an individual’s location in society-high, low, or middle range (Denisoff, Callahan, and Levine 1974:23).



Theory and Paradigm

DefinitionNominal Definition

Is a substitute for some concrete objectSports car



Theory and Paradigm

Real Definition Is anchored in concrete or observable

phenomena and has empirical or testable implicationsThe President of the United States

(Bierstedt in Denisoff, Callahan, andLevine 1974:23-24)



Theory and Paradigm

Operational Definition Measurement theory concerns the linkage

between concepts and indicators in a study. Operational definitions are always based on measurement theories that assign empirical meaning to concepts. . . The operational definition stipulates which specific indicators (or observations) are to be assigned which specific meanings (Selltiz, Wrightsman, and Cook 1976:40).

Example: IQ is an operational definition of intelligence



Theory and Paradigm

HypothesisThe definition of hypothesis is:

is a statement outlining the relationship between two or more factors of events, such as X causes Y. A hypothesis is reasoned or deducted from a theory and seeks to make a general statement specific (Denisoff, Callahan, and Levine 1974: 24).



Theory and Paradigm

Emile Durkheim’s Study of SuicideTheory: Society is a closed system with

each member interrelated to all the other members within the society. There is a phenomenon of social integration.

Proposition: Society is an organism with interrelated parts, therefore, the stronger the social cohesion, the stronger the society.



Theory and Paradigm

Concepts: Social cohesion Solidarity

Operational Definition: Suicide is an objective measurement of social cohesion

Hypothesis: The annual suicide rate for Catholics will be lower than Protestants The hypothesis is a deduction of the theory



Theory and Paradigm

LogicDeductive reasoning

Use of logic and authorityInductive reasoning

Use of empirical observation



Theory and Paradigm

Deductive Reasoning

From the General

To the Particular



Theory and Paradigm

Inductive Reasoning

To the General

From the Particular



Theory and Paradigm

Common Sense versus Common Sense versus Scientific InquiryScientific Inquiry

500 plus years ago--Why 500 plus years ago--Why did the uneducated man did the uneducated man think the earth was flat think the earth was flat

(or hump-back)?(or hump-back)?



Theory and Paradigm

What impact did What impact did this “paradigm” this “paradigm”

have on have on mankind?mankind?




Go to page 7 of the worksheetThe theme: The earth is flat (or

hump-back)Make an attempt to complete each

component as if you accepted this paradigm




Go to page 8 of the worksheetParadigm

The earth is flat (or at least hump-back).Assumptions

The world ends at the “four corners” of the earth.

The “known” surface land mass has been explored.




The edges of all the “known” surface land mass is bordered by water.

Theories The is flat (or at least hump-back). The earth has “edges.”

Propositions Man cannot travel beyond the edge of

the earth without falling off.




All of the surface land mass has been explored or at least mapped.

Concepts Four corners of the earth Edge of the world

Definitions Real Definition

Boundaries of the earth




Operational definitionThe earth has only X number of nautical

miles between the western coast of Europe and the western boundary of the earth.

Hypothesis If a ship sails indefinitely in one

direction (west, east, south, or north), it will fall off the edge of the earth.



Theory and Paradigm

The development of sociological theories has been slow. Attempting to develop scientific theories about

society is very complex. The variables are endless.

Does that make it any less of a worthy Does that make it any less of a worthy goal?goal?

The answer is no. It just makes the task that much more challenging.



Theory and Paradigm

ReviewParadigms Comparison Table

andParadigm and Assumption

Document

Date post:	25-Dec-2015
Category:	Documents
Upload:	gilbert-burns
View:	214 times
Download:	0 times

Friday, August 28, 2015 © 1998-2002 by Ronald Keith Bolender1 SYA 3010 Sociological Theory:...

Documents