Sociocultural Factors

What are sociocultural factors? How should they be defined?

When changes in the scientific mosaic occur due to forces outside of what a mosaic considers to be “intellectual,” those sources of change are referred to as “sociocultural factors.” Sociocultural factors can include individual and group interests, power, religion, politics, economics, etc. As the demarcation between science and non-science is currently understood to be a local distinction, we are unable to explicate generally applicable descriptions for what should be considered sociocultural factors, and which are intellectual. Identifying any of the above influences (political, religious, etc.) as either “sociocultural” or “intellectual” can only be done with regards to a particular mosaic.

Currently, it is understood that the laws of scientific change allow for the influence of sociocultural factors.[Laws p. 239] Sociocultural factors can affect scientific change in one of two different ways, as the process of scientific change is broken down into two elements.

The two questions concerning the role of sociocultural factors in scientific change are stated as follows: 1. Can sociocultural factors affect the process of theory acceptance, and, if so, under what conditions can they affect the process?1p. 235 2. Can sociocultural factors affect the process of method employment and, if so, under what conditions can they affect the profess?1p. 235

At this stage, Scientonomy will not be addressing the question of what role sociocultural factors play in theory construction.1p. 234

In the scientonomic context, this term was first used in 2016. The term is currently accepted by Scientonomy community.

Scientonomic History

Acceptance Record

Here is the complete acceptance record of this question (it includes all the instances when the question was accepted as a legitimate topic for discussion by a community):

Community	Accepted From	Acceptance Indicators	Still Accepted	Accepted Until	Rejection Indicators
Scientonomy	1 January 2016		Yes

All Theories

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Accepted Theories

According to our records, no theory on this topic has ever been accepted.

Suggested Modifications

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Current View

The term is only loosely described in The Laws of Scientific Change as encompassing political, religious, economic, and social factors, as well as group and individual interests.1pp. 233-234 A more precise definition is needed.

There is currently no accepted answer to this question.

Related Topics

This topic is also related to the following topic(s):

• Role of Sociocultural Factors in Scientific Change
• Role of Sociocultural Factors in Theory Acceptance
• Role of Sociocultural Factors in Method Employment