Quick Essays on Social Theory
and Other Abstractions

Overviews for College Students

The essays provided here are designed to be quick clarifications about some of the theoretical issues that arise frequently in beginning college classes in history and the social sciences.

The essays are intended to be both brief and simple, but the issues raised are fundamental. Mastery of this material can probably raise your grades by one whole grade point. Maybe two. But if that doesn't happen, it can at least help you win arguments with your roommate.

• Two Kinds of Definitions
  Center-focused and boundary-focused definitions and the process of "operationalization," the basis of all social research
  Two quizzes are available covering this essay: Quiz 1, Quiz 2
• Classification: Lumping & Splitting
  What is your "default" hypothesis in classifying ambiguous evidence?
  Two quizzes are available covering this essay: Quiz 1, Quiz 2
• Variables & Models
  What the dingdong is a "theory" anyway?
  A quiz is available covering this essay: Quiz
• Explaining Human Behavior: The Question "Why?"
  Most "explanations" of human behavior are fatuous foolishness. What is the logical trap that they fall into?
• Symbols, Sumptuation, and Mystification
  Why do people like gold? It's not because it's pretty.
• Conflicting Loyalties, & Cross Cutting Ties
  Is it good to have conflicting loyalties? Wouldn't that make for … um … conflict?

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