CiNii Books - Sociological theory

In this fundamental contribution to the study and application of sociological theory, Wallace examines a wide range of theories within a framework that clarifies their interrelationships and illustrates their implications for empirical research. Wallace is able to point out the symbiotic relationships among these theories which, at first, may appear to be in direct opposition--or at least discord. Sociological Theory begins with an original essay by the editor that introduces the reader to eleven general theoretical viewpoints. He calls these ecologism, demographism, materialism, psychologism, technologism, functional structuralism, exchange structuralism, conflict structuralism, symbolic interactionism, social actionism, and functional imperativism. To do this, Wallace assembles selected readings by major theorists that provide detailed examples of each of the theoretical viewpoints discussed. The selections are keyed to the framework developed in the Introduction, so as to enable the reader to work back and forth between the general and the particular statements. Offering far more than a mere survey or an abstract critical analysis, In this way, Sociological Theory provides a learning matrix that facilitates comprehension and enables the reader systematically to expand his knowledge of sociological theory. In developing his analytical framework, Wallace points out how these different types of theory complement rather than conflict with one another. Through this approach, he is able to show the distinctive level and scope of analysis of each theory to demonstrate why the sociologist must draw upon and integrate several viewpoints for interpreting research results and formulating hypotheses. A useful guide and reference work for researchers and teachers, the book is an excellent basic or supplementary text for all theory courses. As Robert K. Merton noted at the time of the original publication, "Sociological Theory is a beautiful piece of work."

Table of Contents

I: Overview of Contemporary Sociological Theory
II: Readings in Contemporary Sociological Theory
1: Ecologism
Human Ecology
Cultural, Behavioral, and Ecological Perspectives in the Study of Social Organization
2: Demographism
Notes on the Concept of a Population 1
3: Materialism
The External System
4: Psychologism
The Institutional and the Subinstitutional
5: Technologism
The Hypothesis of Cultural Lag
Organic Energy and the Low-Energy Society
6: Functional Structuralism
Social Structure and Anomie
7: Exchange Structuralism
The Structure of Social Associations
8: Conflict Structuralism
Dialectic and Functionalism: Toward a Theoretical Synthesis
Toward a Theory of Social Conflict
9: Symbolic Interactionism
Play, the Game, and the Generalized Other
Sociological Implications of the Thought of George Herbert Mead
10: Social Actionism
The Changing Foundations of the Parsonian Action Scheme
11: Functional Imperativism
Pattern Variables Revisited: A Response to Robert Dubin

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Sociological theory

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