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Cited by 716Qualitative Comparative Analysis ResearchCritical Realism in SociologyContemporary Sociological Theory and Practice

Transcending General Linear Reality

Abbott, Andrew·1988·Sociological Theory
DOI 10.2307/202114
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Abstract

This paper argues that the dominance of linear models has led many sociologists to construe the social world in terms of a general linear reality. This reality assumes (1) that the social world consists of fixed entities with variable attributes, (2) that cause cannot flow from small to large attributes/events, (3) that causal attributes have only one causal pattern at once, (4) that the sequence of events does not influence their outcome, (5) that the careers of entities are largely independent, and (6) that causal attributes are generally independent of each other. The paper discusses examples of these assumptions in empirical work, considers standard and new methods addressing them, and briefly explores alternative models for reality that employ demographic, sequential, and network perspectives.

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  • These studies seem to have taken an inductive theory elaboration approach precisely because existing theories often do not readily lend themselves to an ex ante deduction of configurational hypotheses.

    “These studies seem to have taken an inductive theory elaboration approach precisely because existing theories-which largely reflect a 'general linear reality' (Abbott, 1988)-often do not readily lend themselves to an ex ante deduction of configurational hypotheses (Fiss et al., 2013).”

    From Embracing Causal Complexity: The Emergence of a Neo-Configurational Perspective (2017) · cites this paper as Abbott, 1988

  • Fourth generation accounts remain attached to the same underlying sensibility as previous generations, seeking to capture revolutions within general linear reality.

    “they remain attached to the same underlying sensibility that bedeviled previous generations of study, seeking to capture revolutions within 'general linear reality' (Abbott 1988; see also Tilly 1995).”

    From Within and Beyond the “Fourth Generation” of Revolutionary Theory (2016) · cites this paper as Abbott 1988

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Authors
Abbott, A.
Corresponding author
Abbott, Andrew
ORCID
Abbott, Andrew
Venue
Sociological Theory
Publisher
JSTOR
Published
1988
Volume
6
Issue
2
Pages
169
ISSN
0735-2751 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2307/202114
OpenAlex
W2011306009
Cited by
716
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 42 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 54 · 2018: 40 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 32 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 28
FWCI
12.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Sociological Theory (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Comparative Analysis Research
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Critical Realism in Sociology
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Contemporary Sociological Theory and Practice
Keywords
general linear model, linear models, causal inference, network models, demographic models, sequential model, sociology of knowledge

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