Nature of Sociological Theory

Nature of Sociological TheoryTHE dis place OF SOCIOLOGICAL THEORYOKUMAGBA, OGHENERO PAUL, FAYEYE, J.O. EJECHI, EUCHARIASOCIOLOGICAL THEORYDEFINITION AND MEANINGSDifferent mickle see Sociological opening in different ways. Different people contri furthere regarded different aspects of sociology as possible action and students ar excessively involved because their works be ground on theories.How do we define a theory? In other to give an answer to this call into question, we mustiness restrain almost definition which must help us in this task.Mennell, S. (1972) distinguished what a theory should be and what by convention is named Sociological theory. He started by recording that sociology theory in some cases is non sociological theory. What this kernel is that, it fates in most cases with a body of ideas attached to theory, and this is non always their in the strict Sense of it.For Mennel a real sociological theory is formalized and ultimately testable explanations which are accumulated to a large extent in the workaday process of Sociology Research i.e. sociological theory must be related to Sociological Research. Our theories may only try to rationalize special(a) and specific properties of reality. They may belong to some or all theater of sociology such as Urban sociology, Sociology of the Family, Political sociology etc. i.e. they may only cover an aspect of sociology and non all. They may be what R.K. Merton shrieks MIDDLE RANGE THEORIES, i.e. theories that are interested in specific or limited areas e.g genial images.Mennel goes on to ask the question, what is social theory in the customary smell out. Sociological theory is a general collection to topics. it also tends to include the discussion of Some Epistemological issues such as what is science, what is sociological theory. Is it a science? Etc. this is what Stephen Mennel refers to as META THEORY. There is another category which Mennel calls PARA-THEORY. He got this from the works of Ralph Dorhendorf. He defines it as all submitment before, around and after Sociological theory which are capable of confirmable test themselves but are geared towards theories, We also wasnt to distinguish this type of theory from what is cognize a s BASK THEORY. It does not necessary stick to be scientifically validated, i.e. it does not turn out empirical comp unmatchednts as it basis. Although most of the great Sociologists may have developed theory without going on to test them. They ore more than or less based on their experience or from reading.Some writers have called the above type GRAND THEORY. This theory is concerned with providing a scheme that can be utilize to explain the empirical entropy of research. This type of theory depends on interrelated construct, concepts, prepositions, scientific statements etc. that presents a overbearing view of phenomenon by specifying relationship among variables with the purpose of explaining and predicting phenome non. This type of their is based on data cool from society and it is usually used in explaining trustworthy segments of social reality. We may s ay that Grand theory is based on hookive ideologies, patterns and principles which undering given nature and social world exhibition i.e. it is global scheme. spend as empirically based theory concentrates on formulating, generalizing from specific data in other to explain phenomenon. We may say at this point, that the two seems necessary in order to provide a concueate analytic thinking of social reality. However, they may not be isolated from each. other.Grand theory tends to be constructed on abstract terms and we may question what process of abstraction does it given to the understanding of the whole social process. Empirically. based theory is derived solely from the data collected from social processes.For Goode and Hatt. a theory states a logical relationship between facts. From this theory other prepositions can be deduced tha t should be true, if the first relationship holds. These d educed suggests are hypotheses. To them, and to macrocosmy others as well, a hypothesis is a minor theory. it states what were looking for and Leads to an empiritical test. It is a proposition capable to empirical verification but not yet verified.It is apparent at there is more then a semblance of circularity in the reasoning of those who discuss the relationship between a theory and a hypothesis. It is commonly claimed that all scientific hypotheses arc- derivations from empirically supportable theory. It is also typically insist that every theory had its beginnings in on hypothesis. and so, one mans hypothesis may be anothers theory. It all depends on the aim and ingenuity of the investigator.Scientific theories are logical systems of propositions which attempt to account for why phenomena ore the way they are and predict their behaviour. Theories are built of data generated, for example Mertonian paradigms and sociol ogical stances are synonymous. The draw data generation and theorizing efforts to some aspects of the social world. Thus one can produce specific theories from a detail perspectives e.g. the theory of segmenting opposition and Mertons social structure and anomie theory fall inwardly the functional perspective. A theory can also be seen as a logically concordant statement of causal laws. Causal laws ore statements of regularities in concomitant occurrences between antecedents and events. The question we should be asking ourselves is, argon we limited by the process of data collection? We have to have a facilitating relationship between the two. Theories which are based on empirical footing helps to direct the grand theory and provides concrete data for the grand theory and helps the researcher develop a conceptual framework.The word theory derives its meanings and usage from the user. To call a statement a theory is sometimes intended to increase its value by suggesting that it g oes beyond mere facts e.g when a person says I hove a theory about throng he means that he cannot be deceived by him. But sometimes, the word theory as clearly used to turn out the value of a speculative idea by denying it a close connection with reality. In this sense it is often asserted tings are all right in theory but not in practice.Theories would have no value if they did not go beyond facts. Facts are nothing more than statements which we opine to bear truth about particular events which have occurred.Theories ore not meant to be about particular events but about the whole categories of events, it is generally said that Theories or some theories are nothing but general facts.A statement general fact would be any a shorthand or yield of statements of the same kind or type, a general statements of the characteristics of a type of events.It is true that all theories go beyond facts however not all statement which go beyond facts are theories. For example if say that, the co lonial masters colonized Nigeria, and established a foreign destination that would otherwise not have developed. I am going beyond facts, but no one can know what culture would have developed if there had been no Colonization in the first instance.However, one can work out, and ones guess is an hypothesis. This guess is not a theory because it stated something about particular events or particular complexes or events but it states nothing in general about the characteristics of colonial domination.To be testable this theory would have to state the kind of evidence that could be treated as refuting it. Instances of species which have survived being w c-Il adapted to particular environment or instances of Species which were well adapted to a particular environment but which had not survived.In the final analysis, the criterion of a adaptability is the capacity for survival 1.e. One does not really know how adoptable a species is until one has already observed its Capacity for surviv al. The fact that such a theory is not strictly testable does no mean that it has little value. Its values lies in directing inquiries of the students of evolution In mating other theories, some of which are highly testable it has helped evolutionary biologists to explain a great deal.Its own role is programmatic, it says if you are making enquires of this kind, makes a species more or less adaptable table in a particular environment This has proved useful. This example removed the assumption that if is only the social sciences attempt to be satisfied or utilize theories which ore not strictly testable.TYPES OF THEORYCohen (1968) in his book Modern Social Theory out lined four broad types of theories and they are as follows Analytical Theoryprescriptive TheoryMetaphysical theoryScientific theoryANALYTICAL THEORYThese are like theories of math or logic which may state nothing about the real world but incorporate of some sets of axiomatic statements which are true by definition and from which other statements ore derived for example Adam smiths their on homo economy which stress that people tend to maximize their gains while minimizing their losses.prescriptive THEORYThese theory elaborates a set of grand state of which one may aspire for example, ideologue fall within this category Normative theories are subjective in the sense that they deal with the ideal or what ought to be rather than what is.METAPHYSICCAL THEORYThese are theories which are beyond the senses in other words, they have no empirical foundation. A good example is Darwins theory on Evolution of man and Malthusians theory of population.SCIENTIFIC THEORIESThis is ideally a universal empirical statement which exacts a causal connection between two or more variables (or types of events). At this simplest, it has this form e.g. whenever x occurs they Y occur X = Y.Scientific theories are universal because it state something about the condition under which some events or types of events always occurIf theories go beyond facts, they must have a connection with reality. Hence no experience of reality is worth recording, or could be recorded if it is not for theories.The most easy theories, which we use a re embedded in our language. All language must use authorized universal, categories and to use a universal category is in effect to use a theory. If for example It says that James is a deviant presume certain universal characteristics associated with deviance, as opposed to conformity.Without universal categories there forget he no communication, without communication there will be no culture, no society, no science, no engineering science, no shored experience of die world of reality. Theoretical consideration end theoretical concepts, implicit or explicit have an essential rule in shaping the direction of research, in direction placard an and in guiding description itself,For a theory to be used wisely with sharp cognizance, awareness users must have the knowledge o f its nature and of its varieties. We need to know its concepts and diverse terminological forms they evolve.We should be well-known(prenominal) with the history of sociological theoretical endeavours with its changing emphasis, its successes and failure, and its promise for the future, These in themselves constitute the subject matter of the perusing of sociological theories.SOCIOLOGICAL THEORYAND SOCIAL ORDERTheory is a set of prepositions complying ideally with the following conditionsThe propositions must be put in terms of exactly defined concepts.They must be consistent with one another.They must be such that from them the existing generalization could be deductively derived.They must be fruitful i.e. disposition the way to further observation and generalizations were increasing the scope of knowledge.From the foregoing, sociological theory can be mum in the sense in which the word theory is used in other sciences. Hence it isa structure of systematically organized law li ke propositions about society that con be support by evidence.The aim a sociological theory from the foregoing is explanation that goes beyond description and systematic definition (or taxonomy). Some characteristics of sociological theory. It is needful to odd that many sociological theories do not fitting the ideal criteria of science (i.e. universality, empruism, and causality).CHARACTERIST1C OF SOCIOLOGICAL THEORYTheories are thoughts and ideas used to explain particular Social phenomenon or situations in society. It is a set of systematically relatered propositions a imed at explaining a particular situation. They are thoughts, ideas, or conceptual schemes used to pass societal problems. A theory is good and useful when it is able to solve problems successfully.Sociological theories attempts to explain and investigate problems, issues or events within the context of patent social phenomenon, they attempt to crack cocaine scientific and theoretical explanation which on the b asis of the past have immediate applicability and are also capable of application to similar problems in the future. All theories attempt more than anything also the question Why.All contemporary sociological theories are selective in their analysis of social phenomenon. No one theory con interest or explain a total social phenomenon (such as the Grand Theory by TALCOTT PARSONS and middle range theories by ROBERT K. MERTON) for example, DEMOGRAPHISM as a sociological perspective is concerned with mans various responses caused by increase in population. Then TECHNOLOG1SM emphasizes the effect of technology on man and social organization, while ECOLOGISM emphasizes the influence of non human environmental on human behaviour. contemporaneous sociological theories must be empirically grounded. They are not merely thoughts or speculations. They are not armed chair theories but are based on observable facts that can be subjected to scientific observation and analysis. They are thoughts ba cked by verified fact or knowledge.Sociological theories tends to state scietific and observable relationships between variables usually between the dependent and independent variables.independent Variable -independent VariableX YAll sociological theories attempts to solve the problem of order in the society,All contemporary sociological theories deal with social phenomenon that are either imposed or generated by the individuals and these imposed or generated phenomena must either be subjective or objective.Finally, any sociological theory that does not fall into these set of categories is not qualified to be called a sociological theory.FUNCTIONS OF SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIESTheories in any discipline have certain function which they perform in investigation info societal problems,It extends the Scope of the original empirical findings by showing the interrelationship between various variables.It provides facts for the accumulation of both theory and research findings.If increase the f ecundity of research through the successive exploration of the implicajiohs of research findings.lt introduces a ground for the predictions.It entails precision which is derivable from test-ability or verification The importance of precision in theory was stated by R.K, Merton when he wrote those theories which admits a detailed precision confirmed by observation taken on strategic importance since they provide an initial basis for choice between competing hypothesis.THE CENTRAL PROBLEMS OF SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY AND SOCIAL ORDERThe Problems of OrderTo take the position that sociological theory centers around the problem of social order may result into place criticism of conservation ideological bias. To those who sees conflict, they will assume that the position presents or emphasizes order and affirms its desirability.It is certain that people in most societies desire order, they may not accept any kind of order at all cost. The fact that order is desired by many does not justify i ts central position in sociological theory.When order is presented as being at the centre of sociological theory it is make so because of the followingOrder is itself something positive, and its opposites only conceivable in terms of it.The very idea of human society presupposes order.The existence of social order is problematic and cannot be taken for grated.The investigation of the problem of order illuminates (or shows) the nature of disorder in its various aspects.