Explanandum and Explanans in Sociology

Table of Contents

• Defining Explanandum and Explanans
• The Structure of Sociological Explanation
• Applications in Sociological Research
• Challenges and Critiques
• Conclusion
• Think!
• Essay Suggestions
• Research Suggestions
• Further Reading

In sociological research and theory, the concepts of ‘explanandum’ and ‘explanans’ are pivotal in the structuring of explanations. These terms derive from the Latin verb “explanare,” meaning “to explain.” They provide a framework for understanding the components of scientific explanations and are essential in distinguishing between what is being explained and what is doing the explaining.

Defining Explanandum and Explanans

1. Explanandum: The term ‘explanandum’ refers to the phenomenon or event that needs explanation. It is the specific observation or social fact that has aroused the sociologist’s curiosity and requires a theoretical or empirical explanation. For instance, in the study of social phenomena like crime rates, the explanandum would be the observed crime rate itself or a specific pattern within that rate.
2. Explanans: In contrast, ‘explanans’ comprises the factors, variables, or theoretical constructs that provide the explanation for the explanandum. It encompasses the causal mechanisms, underlying principles, or conditions that account for why the explanandum occurs. Continuing with the previous example, the explanans might include various socio-economic factors, such as poverty, education, or unemployment, that are hypothesized to influence crime rates.

The Structure of Sociological Explanation

A robust sociological explanation is built on the relationship between explanandum and explanans. This relationship can be understood through several models, including deductive-nomological (D-N) models, inductive-statistical (I-S) models, and causal mechanisms.

1. Deductive-Nomological Model: The D-N model, developed by Carl Hempel and Paul Oppenheim, is a formal approach where the explanandum is logically deduced from the explanans. In this model, the explanans consists of general laws and initial conditions. For example, if we are explaining the occurrence of a riot (explanandum), the explanans might include a general sociological law about crowd behavior under conditions of social strain, combined with specific information about the socio-political context in which the riot occurred. The structure is as follows:
   • General law (L): Under condition C, event E will occur.
   • Initial conditions (C): Condition C is present.
   • Explanandum (E): Therefore, event E occurs.
2. Inductive-Statistical Model: The I-S model accounts for explanations where certainty is not achievable, but high probability is. Instead of deducing the explanandum with certainty, the explanans provides a strong statistical likelihood. For instance, in explaining educational attainment (explanandum), the explanans might include various probabilistic factors such as family background, school quality, and individual motivation, which collectively increase the likelihood of higher educational attainment.
3. Causal Mechanisms: A more nuanced approach in sociology involves identifying causal mechanisms that link explanans to explanandum. This method goes beyond merely statistical relationships and seeks to uncover the processes and pathways through which causes produce effects. For instance, to explain the persistence of gender inequality in the workplace (explanandum), the explanans might include specific mechanisms such as discriminatory hiring practices, differential socialization processes, and institutional biases. Identifying these mechanisms provides a deeper understanding of the causal chains involved.

Applications in Sociological Research