Constructing Social Theory
Published on 28. August 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
342 pages
978-0-7425-6428-2 (ISBN)
Description
Constructing Social Theory discusses the nature of social theory and theoretical orientations. Organized by forty-three theoretical orientations in seven domains-exchange, power, adaptation/reinforcement, social bond, altruism, functionalism, and identity-the text includes a tutorial on how to identify an appropriate theoretical orientation and create a theory given a particular research question. Bell separates the theoretical orientation of causal logic from theory itself, illuminating the mechanisms of scientific revolutions where new theoretical orientations are created, and the procedures of normal science, in which theories are developed using the logic of existing theoretical orientations.
Reviews / Votes
This book provides a near groundbreaking approach to conceptualizing and constructing social theory. While Bell builds upon what others have contributed in this area, he also critiques their work and proposes alternatives. He shows an excellent understanding of major issues in the philosophy of science as they relate to social theory construction. The book is very well referenced and so will be especially valuable to those who want to pursue the subject futher. * Teaching Sociology * This book provides a near groundbreaking approach to conceptualizing and constructing social theory. While Bell builds upon what others have contributed in this area, he also critiques their work and proposes alternatives. He shows an excellent understanding of major issues in the philosophy of science as they relate to social theory construction. The book is very well referenced and so will be especially valuable to those who want to pursue the subject further. * Teaching Sociology *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
521 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7425-6428-2 (9780742564282)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
David C. Bell
Constructing Social Theory
E-Book
08/2008
1st Edition
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
€48.99
Available for download
Person
David C. Bell is professor of sociology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
Content
Chapter 1 Part 1: Explanatory Logics
Chapter 2 Chapter 1: Sociology, Science and Applied Theory
Chapter 3 Chapter 2: Theoretical Systems
Chapter 4 Chapter 3: The Refinement of Theoretical Systems
Chapter 5 Chapter 4: Creating Theory: The Art of Normal Science
Chapter 6 Part 2: Action Theoretical Orientations
Chapter 7 Chapter 5: Action Theoretical Orientations
Chapter 8 Chapter 6: Social Systems and Social Structure
Chapter 9 Chapter 7: Self Interest: Exchange
Chapter 10 Chapter 8: Self Interest: Power
Chapter 11 Chapter 9: Self Interest: Adaptation
Chapter 12 Chapter 10: Relationships: Social Bond
Chapter 13 Chapter 11: Relationships: Altruism
Chapter 14 Part 3: Auxiliary Theoretical Orientations
Chapter 15 Chapter 12: Auxiliary Logic: Function
Chapter 16 Chapter 13: Auxiliary Logic: Identity
Chapter 17 Part 4: Theories
Chapter 18 Chapter 14: Action Theories of Parental Nurturance
Chapter 19 Part 5: Evaluation
Chapter 20 Chapter 15: The Sociology of Sociological Theory
Chapter 2 Chapter 1: Sociology, Science and Applied Theory
Chapter 3 Chapter 2: Theoretical Systems
Chapter 4 Chapter 3: The Refinement of Theoretical Systems
Chapter 5 Chapter 4: Creating Theory: The Art of Normal Science
Chapter 6 Part 2: Action Theoretical Orientations
Chapter 7 Chapter 5: Action Theoretical Orientations
Chapter 8 Chapter 6: Social Systems and Social Structure
Chapter 9 Chapter 7: Self Interest: Exchange
Chapter 10 Chapter 8: Self Interest: Power
Chapter 11 Chapter 9: Self Interest: Adaptation
Chapter 12 Chapter 10: Relationships: Social Bond
Chapter 13 Chapter 11: Relationships: Altruism
Chapter 14 Part 3: Auxiliary Theoretical Orientations
Chapter 15 Chapter 12: Auxiliary Logic: Function
Chapter 16 Chapter 13: Auxiliary Logic: Identity
Chapter 17 Part 4: Theories
Chapter 18 Chapter 14: Action Theories of Parental Nurturance
Chapter 19 Part 5: Evaluation
Chapter 20 Chapter 15: The Sociology of Sociological Theory