SOCI 217 Lecture 3: SOCI 217 lecture 3.pdf
Document Summary
A system of interconnected abstractions or ideas that condenses and organizes knowledge about the social world. A systematic explanation for the observations that relate to a particular aspect of life. In social science, its not just a hunch Theories answer the why question of social phenomena. Theories seek to provide explanations for observed patters. Theories linked to explanatory objective of scientific research. Can help us anticipate related patterns and suggest effective actions. Fundamental models or frames of reference used to organize observations and reasoning. Collections of theories which share common underlying assumptions, values, and views of social reality. Special kind of concept with some special relation to observed phenomena. Fundamental assertion taken to be true, on which theory is grounded. E. g. axiom in economic theory = people are rational. Conclusion about the relationships between concepts derived from axiomatic framework. E. g. people with only a high school degree have more racial axiomatic framework.
