What Is Field Theory?
Abstract
Field theory is a more or less coherent approach in the social sciences whose essence is the explanation of regularities in individual action by recourse to position vis‐à‐vis others. Position in the field indicates the potential for a force exerted on the person, but a force that impinges “from the inside” as opposed to external compulsion. Motivation is accordingly considered to be the paramount example of social structure in action, as opposed to a residue of chance or freedom. While field theory is often castigated for its necessarily tautological definition, this may be far more of an advantage than a defect. Field theory offers social scientists a combination of analytical insight and attention to the concrete; further, the implicit definition of “explanation” that it brings is one that, unlike conventional sociological definitions, is internally consistent and in accord with everyday usage.
Cite this
John Levi Martin (2003). What Is Field Theory?. American Journal of Sociology. https://doi.org/10.1086/375201
@article{levi2003what,
title = {What Is Field Theory?},
author = {Martin, John Levi},
year = {2003},
journal = {American Journal of Sociology},
doi = {10.1086/375201}
}Citations in this library
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