StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Compose a clear, concise, descrip@ve, and comprehensive summary of the term Theory - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
When one is introduced in sociology class, he or she is bombarded with some major terms such as; ecological theory, interaction theory, containment theory, anomie and alienation theory, normative behaviour theory, differential identification theory, differential…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER95.7% of users find it useful
Compose a clear, concise, descrip@ve, and comprehensive summary of the term Theory
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Compose a clear, concise, descrip@ve, and comprehensive summary of the term Theory"

When one is introduced in sociology he or she is bombarded with some major terms such as; ecological theory, interaction theory, containment theory, anomie and alienation theory, normative behaviour theory, differential identification theory, differential association-reinforcement theory, disengagement theory, Hirsch’s theory, trade imitation theory, Sutherland’s differential association theory, and many others, some of which one may never get to learn about them (Harrington 2005). If you think this is only in sociology, you will be surprised to meet more theories in other disciplines.

The questions remain; what is the meaning of the tail word ‘theory’, and what makes it qualify to cut across all disciplines. This paper gives a clear, concise, descriptive and comprehensive summary of the term ‘theory’.The term theory is derived from a philosophical Greek word theoria, which means to look at, behold or view and contemplate or speculate on the action presented for understanding its meaning (Reynolds 1971). For instance, theory in any empirical research needs to be built on one or several hypotheses that are supported well with evidence.

There must be proper reasoning based on hypotheses and evidence as well as connections that are logical to suggest the effectiveness of the research. Therefore, theory in any empirical research can be understood as a group of propositions, Assertions, assumptions or factors considered acceptable that are meant for Prediction, or cause and effect relationship in a set of observed phenomena and the relationship must be plausible (Berger and Luckmann 1966). This is contrary to theory in social sciences where, for example, ecologists theorize that man evolved from the monkey species.

Christians believe that a supernatural power by name ‘God’ created man, and the theory about the origin of man is an open-ended-scheme (Berberoglu 2005). All these theories are considered to be true explanations with provision of enough evidence or explanation from the point of view of the followers. Theories in social sciences and particularly in sociology, for instance, are developed by focusing on the kind of research methods used in the study as well as the formal methods displayed. All these aspects are complimentary to each other rather than competitive.

If the aspects are well used in a research, the results arrived at would be so useful to policy makers, graduate students and scholars of sociology. The main reason why sociologists develop theories is to explain or make an assertion regarding social phenomena (Berger and Luckmann 1966). There are also complex theoretical methodological frameworks that are used for explanation and analysis of objects in sociological studies. They assist in the organization of sociological knowledge, and they keep on evolving from time to time hence they are never complete.

Theories are believed to be the most reliable and valid tools in sociological research methods (Bell 2008). Theories are very crucial in sociology as they provide a coherent framework used to create a sense out of the observations made in the society. Theories are believed to work hand in hand with practice as they only determine the context necessary for predictable results, and supporting the remaining part of the study (Baert and Silva 2010). Any new theory must be in a position to displace the old one, and this is only possible by providing enough evidence to prove its dissent.

It is important to know that every fact assumption is a theory, and nothing is an absolute fact (Baert and Silva 2010). Observations in the world can be used to support theories. Therefore, no one will dismiss the standing theory without providing a satisfying reason, and since new ideas are being discovered each day, theories are put forward to replace the old theories. Whether philosophical, political, scientific, economical or any other, the term theory is known as a rigorously tentative phenomena, which can be true today and false tomorrow.

References Baert, Patrick, and Silva C. Filipe. 2010. Social Theory in the Twentieth Century and Beyond. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press. Bell, David. 2008. Constructing Social Theory. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. Berberoglu, Berch. 2005. An Introduction to Classical and Contemporary Social Theory: A Critical Perspective. 3rd ed. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. Berger, Peter, and Luckmann Thomas. 1966. The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge. Garden City NY: Anchor Books.

Reynolds, Davidson. 1971. A Primer in Theory Construction. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Harrington, Austin. 2005. Modern Social Theory: An Introduction. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Compose a clear, concise, descrip@ve, and comprehensive summary of the Essay”, n.d.)
Compose a clear, concise, descrip@ve, and comprehensive summary of the Essay. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/sociology/1587634-compose-a-clear-concise-descripve-and-comprehensive-summary-of-the-term-theory
(Compose a Clear, Concise, descrip@ve, and Comprehensive Summary of the Essay)
Compose a Clear, Concise, descrip@ve, and Comprehensive Summary of the Essay. https://studentshare.org/sociology/1587634-compose-a-clear-concise-descripve-and-comprehensive-summary-of-the-term-theory.
“Compose a Clear, Concise, descrip@ve, and Comprehensive Summary of the Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/sociology/1587634-compose-a-clear-concise-descripve-and-comprehensive-summary-of-the-term-theory.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Compose a clear, concise, descrip@ve, and comprehensive summary of the term Theory

Robert Bressons The Trial of Joan of Arc to Ingmar Bergmans Seventh Seal

Auteur theory was perhaps most seminally articulated by Andrew Sarris in his Notes on Auteur theory.... In this essay he considers earlier formulations of the auteur theory, dating back to its consideration by Andre Bazin in Cahiers du Cinema who indicated that while cinema, as compared to painting or the novel form, is more a collaborative element, there is nonetheless a distinct feature of artistry that can be tied to the individual director....
10 Pages (2500 words) Term Paper

Management and Business Ethics by Dean Bartlett

Bridging the rift between theory and practice of ethics in managers is a role played by the Task: Journal Summary The article critically reviews management of ethics in business organizations while identifying the relationship between the theoretical view of the subject and its practice in administration of business organizations.... Bridging the rift between theory and practice of ethics in managers is a role played by the management in business organizations....
2 Pages (500 words) Term Paper

Genre Theory in Reggae Music

This term paper "Genre theory in Reggae Music" focuses on one of the most prevalent music that waves from Jamaica.... Reggae music speaks of morals, happiness and truth about life.... nbsp;A music genre is a set of musical events that are governed by socially accepted rules....
9 Pages (2250 words) Term Paper

Career Theory and Development

the term paper "Career Theory and Development" points out that there is a wide variety of different theories regarding the nature of the modern career as well as the measures involved which develop it.... nbsp;… Landing a position with security and longevity with a firm that is long-term oriented would be required in order for a mutual relationship to be developed and a career position developed subsequently.... This definition would tend to suggest that the notion of career is only measured by longevity, both between the employee and the employer, meaning both parties are likely seeking long-term organizational relationships....
7 Pages (1750 words) Term Paper

IT Tools that Support Team Process

The "IT Tools that Support Team Process" paper argues that the use of IT team processing tools not only enable better coordination among different members of a team, it also ensures that such identification processes are carried with great savings in time and costs.... hellip; In general biometric systems are a means of identification of individuals, especially from the perspective of determining whether or not they are properly authorized to access information within an organization, or in the case of Government organizations, to determine whether individuals are illegal and therefore to be restricted....
7 Pages (1750 words) Term Paper

Personality Theory: Roger's Theory of Psychotherapy

74) This very observation makes it clear why in the modern context it becomes so important to choose this topic that will not only deal with solving the problems related to personality disorders but also to find a solution to such a problem from the perspective of the client.... The paper focuses on Roger's therapeutic approach to solve the issue of personality disorder which is appreciated by psychological counselors....
9 Pages (2250 words) Term Paper

Comprehensive Economic Analysis of Switzerland

The paper under the title 'comprehensive Economic Analysis of Switzerland' presents the inherent report forms part of the Economic Intelligence Unit task objective that aimed at analyzing the economic stability of Switzerland and other contributing factors.... The report presents a comprehensive economic analysis of Switzerland by examining the economic growth rate in relation to its Growth domestic product (GDP), inflation rates of the country, and exchange rates....
8 Pages (2000 words) Term Paper

Utilitarianism Theory in Daily Life

In the end, concise conclusive remarks are given as well as the general summary of the discussionEvery time the world crosses beyond the ethical marks, the result becomes condemnation, uproar, and interruption of peaceful coexistence (Gingell, 2013).... The paper "Utilitarianism theory in Daily Life" presents that the need to understand the root of moral/ethical guidelines has led to the constructions of various theories and models.... hellip; In conclusion, the basis or criteria of forming what is right or wrong is, according to utilitarianism theory, a conscious process of maximizing pleasure for the majority of the population....
9 Pages (2250 words) Term Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us