SOC 3310 Lecture : middy .docx

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 3310
• Professor: Norman Dubeski

Document Summary

Sociological theorists express their assumptions/hypotheses systematically and discuss in a comprehensive way how far their theories explain social life: they provide new insights into behaviours and the workings of societies. Sociological theories relate innumerable events, with many apparent differences, to general principles that bring out their similarities. A concept can be described as a word or symbol that represents a phenomenon (a label we use to name and classify our perceptions and experiences) or an abstract idea generalized from particular instances. Concepts are an essential first step in understanding and analyzing social phenomena. Dimensions along which sociological theories differ: methodology, subject matter, assumptions, types of questions. Symbolic interactionism and phenomenology examine human interaction in the minutest detail. Concepts used by microsociological approaches do not categorize aspects of social structure but instead consist of the vocabulary required to discuss the particular actions of people. Rational choice theories concentrate on individuals decisions and choices: predominantly concerned with microsociological issues.