SOC 2700 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1-5: Social Learning Theory, Metatheory, Social Disorganization Theory

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 2700
• Professor: Stephanie Howells

Document Summary

Simplest version of a theory: the use of objective evidence and systematic observation; rational explanation of that evidence. Good theory this is a validation to use with caution) Unit theory: emphasize a particular problem (crime, delinquency, etc. ) and make testable assertions about that problem. Metatheory: rarely testable and viewed best as ways of looking at and interpreting reality . Theories about theories they discuss the kinds of concepts that should be used in unit theories, the general approach to using those concepts and the way unit theories should be constructed. Microtheories: based on the assumption that a particular way of characterizing society is best; that characterization is then used to directly to explain how people become criminals (etiology) Focus may be on groups of people (small) or individuals may range from purely social to purely psychological to purely biological not interested in social structure and crime rates. **e. g. / social control and social learning theories.