Social Theory
What counts as a theory? The social theory looks at the daily interactions in human life, and they try to explain the concept behind the theory. Theories of social interaction provide a skeleton or perspective (a paradigm) that allows for an approach to some social phenomena.” We all have theories of the world (Brossard & Sallée, 2019). Some are academic. Some are conventional. Not all theories are academic. Some theories come from unlikely places, yet still function in the same way as academic theory. Social theories determine the social interaction of individuals by influencing their behaviors. Social theory shows that some things in life are assumed to occur naturally.
One nonacademic theory that I usually use to make sense of the world is loyalty between people. Loyalty between individuals always occurs naturally without people paying so much attention to it. This type of social theory is known as ethnomethodology; the method was created by Erving Goffman and Harold Garfinkel, who are both sociologists (Brossard & Sallée, 2019). For one to understand how people use social theories to make sense of the world, one has to be in a position to understand their background in which they organize ordinary conversations. The research was carried on how one can get angry when certain procedures are not followed (Giddens et al. 1991). The reason why individuals get pissed off is due to the importance and stability of the conversation. Getting angry because one did follow certain procedures is based on unwritten rules of how one is supposed to respond. Unwritten rules should never be taken for granted since meaningful conversations can easily be interrupted or cut short.
Loyalty is a social theory that lacks definitive conclusions. It is very difficult to understand how an individual can offer loyalty to another person. Loyalty between two individuals always contributes to flourishing since there is a sense of trust between the two parties. When there is loyalty in relationships, it becomes easy to give value to the partnership; hence it becomes easy to form authentic relationships (Brossard & Sallée, 2019). The unwritten rules about loyalty are what make relationships run smoothly. Ignoring the unwritten rules can sabotage relationships and takes away meaning from it. When one is tied about the relationship, they can just decide to ignore the rules and hence to frustrate the other individual, making them feel embarrassed.
The presence of loyalty between individuals can easily expand the areas of interest for the parties involved. Loyalty can give a richer identity by providing a greater motivation towards something. When there is loyalty between individuals, it is easy for them to become a true community (Giddens et al. 1991). Loyal partnerships have inherent value. Loyalty makes social interactions between individuals’ fun; they can easily make fun of another and embarrass each other, poke fun at one another, rebuff each other, or give a double meaning to what was said. This, however, does not cause any harm as long as the provoked party knows that the intention is to create fun. A stranger cannot make fun of another new individual without their being friction between them.
In conclusion, there are many social theories that several individuals use to understand the social order in which they live. When it comes to social theories that describe how one views the world around them, there are unwritten cultural rules which ensure that relationships between individuals run smoothly. In many cases, not observing the rules will sabotage the relationships and end up frustrating the parties involved.