What is a theory?A theory is a general

Social Psychology (10th Edition)
10th Edition
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Chapter1: Introducing Social Psychology
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What is a theory?
A theory is a general

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INTRODUCTION

A human being is a biological being in the initial phase. With the process of socialization, he/she transforms into a complete social being. There is a natural and social environment that surrounds every individual. The commonsensical knowledge helps the individual to know the surroundings. The theory is the one that helps the individual to critically understand the social and natural environment that surrounds the individual.

EXPLANATION

The theory is defined as the rational thinking about a particular phenomenon that helps to understand that phenomenon critically. This type of analytical thinking is associated with the processes like observational, research, and study. It is a group of ideas that are linked to explain some phenomenon. It provides the framework for the explanation of observations. These explanations are based on assumptions. The number of hypotheses follows the assumptions that can be tested to provide the theory's support and challenges. A sociological theory is the one that helps to understand the social environment and the social realities that surround the individual from a sociological perspective. Different sociological theories help the researcher look from different perspectives at a particular social issue. The theories can be both micro and macro. The macro theories look at an aspect from the generalized perspective, whereas the micro theory imbibes the particularistic view. Sociology has several theories like symbolic interactionism, conflict theory, etc., which helps to study the social interactions from a conflict and interactions perspective. The general theories are the one that helps to understand a particular aspect and to draw the generalized conclusions.

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