In explaining the foundations of the discipline known as historical

Question

In explaining the foundations of the discipline known as historical sociology—the examination of history using the methods of sociology—historical sociologist Philip Abrams argues that, while people are made by society as much as society is made by people, sociologists’ approach to the subject is usually to focus on only one of these forms of influence to the exclusion of the other. Abrams insists on the necessity for sociologists to move beyond these one-sided approaches to understand society as an entity constructed by individuals who are at the same time constructed by their society. Abrams refers to this continuous process as “structuring”.

Abrams also sees history as the result of structuring. People, both individually and as members of collectives, make history. But our making of history is itself formed and informed not only by the historical conditions we inherit from the past but also by the prior formation of our own identities and capacities, which are shaped by what Abrams calls “contingencies”—social phenomena over which we have varying degrees of control. Contingencies include such things as the social conditions under which we come of age, the condition of our household’s economy, the ideologies available to help us make sense of our situation, and accidental circumstances. The ways in which contingencies affect our individual or group identities create a structure of forces within which we are able to act, and that partially determines the sorts of actions we are able to perform.

In Abrams analysis, historical structuring, like social structuring, is manifold and unremitting. To understand it, historical sociologists must extract from it certain significant episodes, or events, that their methodology can then analyze and interpret. According to Abrams, these events are points at which action and contingency meet, points that represent a cross-section of the specific social and individual forces in play at a given time. At such moments, individuals stand forth as agents of history not simply because they possess a unique ability to act, but also because in them we see the force of the specific social conditions that allowed their actions to come forth. Individuals can “make their mark” on history, yet in individuals, one also finds the convergence of wider social forces. In order to capture the various facets of this mutual interaction, Abrams recommends a fourfold structure to which he believes the investigations of historical sociologists should conform: first, description of the event itself; second, discussion of the social context that helped bring the event about and gave it significance; third, summary of the life history of the individual agent in the event; and fourth, analysis of the consequences of the event both for history and for the individual   1 
 1. Which one of the following most accurately states the central idea of the passage?

(A) Abrams argues that historical sociology rejects the claims of sociologists who assert that the sociological concept of structuring cannot be applied to the interactions between individuals and history.
(B) Abrams argues that historical sociology assumes that, despite the views of sociologists to the contrary, history influences the social contingencies that affect individuals.
(C) Abrams argues that historical sociology demonstrates that, despite the views of sociologists to the contrary, social structures both influence and are influenced by the events of history.
(D) Abrams describes historical sociology as a discipline that unites two approaches taken by sociologists to studying the formation of societies and applies the resulting combined approach to the study of history.
(E) Abrams describes historical sociology as an attempt to compensate for the shortcoming of traditional historical methods by applying the methods established in sociology.

2 
 2. Given the passage’s argument, which one of the following sentences most logically completes the last paragraph?

(A) Only if they adhere to this structure, Abrams believes, can historical sociologists conclude with any certainty that the events that constitute the historical record are influenced by the actions of individuals
(B) Only if they adhere to this structure, Abrams believes, will historical sociologists be able to counter the standard sociological assumption that there is very little connection between history and individual agency.
(C) Unless they can agree to adhere to this structure, Abrams believes, historical sociologists risk having their discipline treated as little more than an interesting but ultimately indefensible adjunct to history and sociology.
(D) By adhering to this structure, Abrams believes, historical sociologists can shed light on issues that traditional sociologists have chosen to ignore in their one-sided approaches to the formation of societies.
(E) By adhering to this structure, Abrams believes, historical sociologists will be able to better portray the complex connections between human agency and history.

3 
 3. The passage states that a contingency could be each of the following EXCEPT:

(A) a social phenomenon
(B) a form of historical structuring
(C) an accidental circumstance
(D) a condition controllable to some extent by an individual
(E) a partial determinant of an individual’s actions

4 
 4. Which one of the following is most analogous to the ideal work of a historical sociologist as outlined by Abrams?

(A) In a report on the enactment of a bill into law, a journalist explains why the need for the bill arose, sketches the biography of the principal legislator who wrote the bill, and ponders the effect that the bill’s enactment will have both one society and on the legislator’s career.
(B) In consultation with a patient, a doctor reviews the patient’s medical history, suggests possible reasons for the patient’s current condition, and recommends steps that the patient should take in the future to ensure that the condition improves or at least does not get any worse.
(C) In an analysis of a historical novel, a critic provides information to support the claim that details of the work’s setting are accurate, explains why the subject of the novel was of particular interest to the author, and compares the novel with some of the author’s other books set in the same period.
(D) In a presentation to stockholders, a corporation’s chief executive officer describes the corporations’ most profitable activities during the past year, introduces the vice president largely responsible for those activities, and discusses new projects the vice president will initiate in the coming year.
(E) In developing a film based on a historical event, a filmmaker conducts interviews with participants in the event, bases part of the film’s screenplay on the interviews, and concludes the screenplay with a sequence of scenes speculating on the outcome of the event had certain details been different.

5 
 5. The primary function of the first paragraph of the passage is to

(A) outline the merits of Abram’s conception of historical sociology
(B) convey the details of Abrams’s conception of historical sociology
(C) anticipate challenges to Abrams’s conception of historical sociology
(D) examine the roles of key terms used in Abrams’s conception of historical sociology
(E) identify the basis of Abrams’s conception of historical sociology

6 
 6. Based on the passage, which one of the following is the LEAST illustrative example of the effect of a contingency upon an individual?

(A) the effect of the fact that a person experienced political injustice on that person’s decision to work for political reform
(B) the effect of the fact that a person was raised in an agricultural region on that person’s decision to pursue a career in agriculture
(C) the effect of the fact that a person lives in a particular community on that person’s decision to visit friends in another community
(D) the effect of the fact that a person’s parents practiced a particular religion on that person’s decision to practice that religion
(E) the effect of the fact that a person grew up in financial hardship on that person’s decision to help others in financial hardship

NinetyFour · Accepted Answer

all correct, but took me 12:19 to read and answer 6 questions... Questions weren't difficult but that was one boring passage...

Anyways here's my thought process if it helps anyone:

1) Everything you need to answer this question is in paragraph 1. The first line "the foundations of discipline of historical sociology" tells us we're about to learn more about a discipline. Towards the middle of the paragraph, the author says that "sociologists’ approach to the subject is usually to focus on only one of these forms". Thus the answer is D. Abram's wants to combine the two approaches taken by sociologists in his discipline.

2) Towards the last sentence we have this line: "In order to capture the various facets of this mutual interaction, Abrams recommends a fourfold structure to which he believes the investigations of historical sociologists should conform". The only logical answer to follow this would be "because X (above), historical sociologists will be able to better portray the complex connections between human agency and history."

3) No where in the paragraph does the author say contingency is a form of historical structuring. contingency is a condition that influences an individuals life in some degree.

4) A historical sociologist MUST take into account the WHOLE picture. This includes not just the subject at hand, but also the entire landscape (whats happening surrounding the subject, and what the impacts are). Only A considers all of these factors.

5) I was in between B and E here and chose E because in the first paragraph we are explaining what led to Abram's form of historical sociology. Hence the author is giving us the BASIS for his theories.

6) C because to me that was the least extreme case out of all the others.

auradediligodo · Answer

Hi everyone,
Got all correct in 13:30 minutes, including 5 minutes to read. Q1 and Q2 were quite lengthy and took me 1:50 minutes each.

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P1

In this paragraph the author shows us the point of view of Philip Abrams on historical sociology. He claims that society is affected by people and at the sam time people are affected by society. This view is called structuring and it is opposed to the majority of sociologists who consider either one view or the other.

Purpose:   To present PA point of view on historical sociology: Structuring.

P2

In this paragraph we are given that Abram Philips correlates history with structuring. Then we are also given that our lives are affected by something called contingencies (accidents, social phenomena, economic conditions.....).

Purpose:   To further detail Abram Philips point of view: contingencies

P3

In the last paragraph we are given that according to AP historical and social structuring are best analyzed in the presence of some "Events". Such events are special because we can see multiple forces, social conditions.... at play. Then AP suggests 4 precise procedures to analyze such events.

Purpose:   To present AP's concept of Events and his way of analyzing them

Main point

To present AP's concept about sociology and history, detailing structuring, contingencies and Events.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Which one of the following most accurately states the central idea of the passage?

Pre-thinking

Main point question

To present AP's concept about sociology and history, detailing structuring, contingencies and Events.

(A) Abrams argues that historical sociology rejects the claims of sociologists who assert that the sociological concept of structuring cannot be applied to the interactions between individuals and history.
 out of scope

(B) Abrams argues that historical sociology assumes that, despite the views of sociologists to the contrary, history influences the social contingencies that affect individuals.
 social contingencies are just described in the second paragraph. Not broad enough

(C) Abrams argues that historical sociology demonstrates that, despite the views of sociologists to the contrary, social structures both influence and are influenced by the events of history.
 Abrams does not say that historical sociology demonstrates such claim

(D)   Abrams describes historical sociology as a discipline that unites two approaches taken by sociologists to studying the formation of societies and applies the resulting combined approach to the study of history.
 In line with pre-thinking

(E) Abrams describes historical society as an attempt to compensate for the shortcoming of traditional historical methods by applying the methods established in sociology.
 no such description is given

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Given the passage’s argument, which one of the following sentences most logically completes the last paragraph?

Pre-thinking

Complete the passage question

We need to find an option choice that makes sense given the information in the last paragraph

(A) Only if they adhere to this structure, Abrams believes, can historical sociologists conclude with any certainty that the events that constitute the historical record are influenced by the actions of individuals
 Only if makes this choice too extreme

(B) Only if they adhere to this structure, Abrams believes, will historical sociologists be able to counter the standard sociological assumption that there is very little connection between history and individual agency.
 Only if makes this choice too extreme

(C) Unless they can agree to adhere to this structure, Abrams believes, historical sociologists risk having their discipline treated as little more than an interesting but ultimately indefensible adjunct to history and sociology.
 How sociology is treated is irrelevant per the passage

(D) By adhering to this structure, Abrams believes, historical sociologists can shed light on  issues that traditional sociologists have chosen to ignore  in their one-sided approaches to the formation of societies.
 Tricky but per the passage we don't know whether sociologists decided to ignore certain problems.

(E)   By adhering to this structure, Abrams believes, historical sociologists will be able to better portray the complex connections between human agency and history.
 In line with the information in the last paragraph. Especially with the first lines

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. The passage states that a contingency could be each of the following EXCEPT:

Pre-thinking

Detail question

From P2:    But our making of history is itself formed and informed not only by the historical conditions we inherit from the past but also by the prior formation of our own identities and capacities, which are shaped by what Abrams calls “contingencies”— social phenomena  over which we have  varying degrees of control.  Contingencies include such things as the social conditions under which we come of age, the  condition of our household’s economy,   the ideologies available to help us make sense of our situation , and  accidental circumstances .

(A) a social phenomenon
  (B)   a form of historical structuring
(C) an accidental circumstance
(D) a condition controllable to some extent by an individual (ideologies)
(E) a partial determinant of an individual’s actions

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Which one of the following is most analogous to the ideal work of a historical sociologist as outlined by Abrams?

Pre-thinking

Analogous statement question

In general we need to find a scenario that, in order to be better understood, needs evaluation from many sides

(A)   In a report on the enactment of a bill into law, a journalist explains why the need for the bill arose, sketches the biography of the principal legislator who wrote the bill, and ponders the effect that the bill’s enactment will have both one society and on the legislator’s career.
 Correct and similar to the 4 procedures explained in the last paragraph

(B) In consultation with a patient, a doctor reviews the patient’s medical history, suggests possible reasons for the patient’s current condition, and recommends steps that the patient should take in the future to ensure that the condition improves or at least does not get any worse.
 We don't have an evaluation from different point of views here

(C) In an analysis of a historical novel, a critic provides information to support the claim that details of the work’s setting are accurate, explains why the subject of the novel was of particular interest to the author, and compares the novel with some of the author’s other books set in the same period.
 We don't have an evaluation from different point of views here

(D) In a presentation to stockholders, a corporation’s chief executive officer describes the corporations’ most profitable activities during the past year, introduces the vice president largely responsible for those activities, and discusses new projects the vice president will initiate in the coming year.
 We don't have an evaluation from different point of views here

(E) In developing a film based on a historical event, a filmmaker conducts interviews with participants in the event, bases part of the film’s screenplay on the interviews, and concludes the screenplay with a sequence of scenes speculating on the outcome of the event had certain details been different.
 We don't have an evaluation from different point of views here

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. The primary function of the first paragraph of the passage is to

Pre-thinking

Function question

To present PA point of view on historical sociology: Structuring.

(A) outline the  merits  of Abram’s conception of historical sociology
(B) convey the  details  of Abrams’s conception of historical sociology
(C) anticipate  challenges  to Abrams’s conception of historical sociology
(D) examine  the roles of key terms  used in Abrams’s conception of historical sociology
  (E)   identify the basis of Abrams’s conception of historical sociology
 In line with pre-thinking

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Based on the passage, which one of the following is the LEAST illustrative example of the effect of a contingency upon an individual?

Pre-thinking

Inference question

Let's evaluate the options

(A) the effect of the fact that a person experienced political injustice on that person’s decision to work for political reform
 Contingency. OUT

(B) the effect of the fact that a person was raised in an agricultural region on that person’s decision to pursue a career in agriculture
 Contingency. OUT

(C)   the effect of the fact that a person lives in a particular community on that person’s decision to visit friends in another community
 Correct

(D) the effect of the fact that a person’s parents practiced a particular religion on that person’s decision to practice that religion
 Contingency. OUT

(E) the effect of the fact that a person grew up in financial hardship on that person’s decision to help others in financial hardship
 Contingency. OUT

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's a great day to be alive!

Ypsychotic · Answer

In explaining the foundations of the discipline known as historical sociology—the examination of history using the methods of sociology—historical sociologist Philip Abrams argues that,  while people are made by society as much as society is made by people , sociologists’ approach to the subject is usually to focus on only one of these forms of influence to the exclusion of the other. Abrams insists on the necessity for sociologists to move beyond these one-sided approaches to understand society as an entity constructed by individuals who are at the same time constructed by their society. Abrams refers to this continuous process as “structuring”.

Abrams also sees history as the result of structuring. People, both individually and as members of collectives, make history. But our making of history is itself formed and informed not only by the historical conditions we inherit from the past  but also by the prior formation of our own identities and capacities, which are shaped by what Abrams calls “contingencies”—social phenomena over which we have varying degrees of control. Contingencies include such things as the social conditions under which we come of age, the condition of our household’s economy, the ideologies available to help us make sense of our situation, and accidental circumstances.  The ways in which contingencies affect our individual or group identities create a structure of forces within which we are able to act, and that partially determines the sorts of actions we are able to perform.

In Abrams analysis, historical structuring, like social structuring, is manifold and unremitting. To understand it, historical sociologists must extract from it certain significant episodes, or events, that their methodology can then analyze and interpret. According to Abrams, these events are points at which action and contingency meet, points that represent a cross-section of the specific social and individual forces in play at a given time. At such moments, individuals stand forth as agents of history not simply because they possess a unique ability to act, but also because in them we see the force of the specific social conditions that allowed their actions to come forth.  Individuals can “make their mark” on history, yet in individuals, one also finds the convergence of wider social forces. In order to capture the various facets of this mutual interaction, Abrams recommends a fourfold structure  to which he believes the investigations of historical sociologists should conform:  first, description of the event itself; second, discussion of the social context that helped bring the event about and gave it significance; third, summary of the life history of the individual agent in the event; and fourth, analysis of the consequences of the event both for history and for the individual    1. Which one of the following most accurately states the central idea of the passage?

(A) Abrams argues that historical sociology rejects the claims of sociologists who assert that the sociological concept of structuring cannot be applied to the interactions between individuals and history.
(B) Abrams argues that historical sociology assumes that, despite the views of sociologists to the contrary, history influences the social contingencies that affect individuals.
(C) Abrams argues that historical sociology demonstrates that, despite the views of sociologists to the contrary, social structures both influence and are influenced by the events of history.-- Correct. See the paragraph in red. 
(D) Abrams describes historical sociology as a discipline that unites two approaches taken by sociologists to studying the formation of societies and applies the resulting combined approach to the study of history.
(E) Abrams describes historical society as an attempt to compensate for the shortcoming of traditional historical methods by applying the methods established in sociology.

2. Given the passage’s argument, which one of the following sentences most logically completes the last paragraph?

(A) Only if they adhere to this structure, Abrams believes, can historical sociologists conclude with any certainty that the events that constitute the historical record are influenced by the actions of individuals
(B) Only if they adhere to this structure, Abrams believes, will historical sociologists be able to counter the standard sociological assumption that there is very little connection between history and individual agency.
(C) Unless they can agree to adhere to this structure, Abrams believes, historical sociologists risk having their discipline treated as little more than an interesting but ultimately indefensible adjunct to history and sociology.
(D) By adhering to this structure, Abrams believes, historical sociologists can shed light on issues that traditional sociologists have chosen to ignore in their one-sided approaches to the formation of societies.
(E) By adhering to this structure, Abrams believes, historical sociologists will be able to better portray the complex connections between human agency and history.-- Correct. See the part highlighted in green.

3. The passage states that a contingency could be each of the following EXCEPT:

(A) a social phenomenon
(B) a form of historical structuring---  Correct. It is identities and capacities which contingency impacts, not the social structuring. See blue highlighted part 
(C) an accidental circumstance
(D) a condition controllable to some extent by an individual
(E) a partial determinant of an individual’s actions

4. Which one of the following is most analogous to the ideal work of a historical sociologist as outlined by Abrams?

(A) In a report on the enactment of a bill into law, a journalist explains why the need for the bill arose, sketches the biography of the principal legislator who wrote the bill, and ponders the effect that the bill’s enactment will have both one society and on the legislator’s career.-- Correct. See Brown highlighted part. 
(B) In consultation with a patient, a doctor reviews the patient’s medical history, suggests possible reasons for the patient’s current condition, and recommends steps that the patient should take in the future to ensure that the condition improves or at least does not get any worse.
(C) In an analysis of a historical novel, a critic provides information to support the claim that details of the work’s setting are accurate, explains why the subject of the novel was of particular interest to the author, and compares the novel with some of the author’s other books set in the same period.
(D) In a presentation to stockholders, a corporation’s chief executive officer describes the corporations’ most profitable activities during the past year, introduces the vice president largely responsible for those activities, and discusses new projects the vice president will initiate in the coming year.
(E) In developing a film based on a historical event, a filmmaker conducts interviews with participants in the event, bases part of the film’s screenplay on the interviews, and concludes the screenplay with a sequence of scenes speculating on the outcome of the event had certain details been different.

5. The primary function of the first paragraph of the passage is to

(A) outline the merits of Abram’s conception of historical sociology--Not mentioned
(B) convey the details of Abrams’s conception of historical sociology-- Mentioned in second and third paragraphs.
(C) anticipate challenges to Abrams’s conception of historical sociology-- Not mentioned.
(D) examine the roles of key terms used in Abrams’s conception of historical sociology--- Mentioned in the second paragraph.
(E) identify the basis of Abrams’s conception of historical sociology---  Correct. Mentioned in the first paragraph.

6. Based on the passage, which one of the following is the LEAST illustrative example of the effect of a contingency upon an individual?

(A) the effect of the fact that a person experienced political injustice on that person’s decision to work for political reform.
(B) the effect of the fact that a person was raised in an agricultural region on that person’s decision to pursue a career in agriculture
(C) the effect of the fact that a person lives in a particular community on that person’s decision to visit friends in another community--  Correct. This is the only case where definition of contingency doesn't hold. The rest are contingencies on which the person had influence to varying degrees. 
(D) the effect of the fact that a person’s parents practiced a particular religion on that person’s decision to practice that religion
(E) the effect of the fact that a person grew up in financial hardship on that person’s decision to help others in financial hardship

My explanation is inside both the boxes highlighted with different colors. Please refer to it. Thanks.

GDT · Answer

VeritasKarishma

Can you pls give an explanation for Q6 A, C part

Thanks in advance!

KarishmaB · Answer

This is what a contingency is:

Our identities and capacities are shaped by “contingencies”—social phenomena over which we have varying degrees of control. 
Contingencies include such things as the social conditions under which we come of age, the condition of our household’s economy, the ideologies available to help us make sense of our situation, and accidental circumstances. 
The ways in which contingencies affect our individual or group identities create a structure of forces within which we are able to act, and that partially determines the sorts of actions we are able to perform.

So basically, contingencies are social phenomena which determine our early identity and we act based on that identity. 
So say growing up, I saw my parents saving lives of sick people so I get influenced and become a doctor too.

We need to find an option that does not describe the effect of a contingency:

(A) the effect of the fact that a person experienced political injustice on that person’s decision to work for political reform

Experience from society (political injustice - a contingency) reflected on the person's decision (work for political reform).

(B) the effect of the fact that a person was raised in an agricultural region on that person’s decision to pursue a career in agriculture

Experience from society (agri region - a contingency) reflected on the person's decision (work in agri).

(C) the effect of the fact that a person lives in a particular community on that person’s decision to visit friends in another community

A person living in a particular community decides to visit friends outside. The decision is not a reflection of any contingency. Living in a community is not a contingency. Contingency is a specific trait of the community that shapes the person's identity.

(D) the effect of the fact that a person’s parents practiced a particular religion on that person’s decision to practice that religion

Experience from society (religious - a contingency) reflected on the person's decision (practice that religion).

(E) the effect of the fact that a person grew up in financial hardship on that person’s decision to help others in financial hardship

Experience from society (financial hardship - a contingency) reflected on the person's decision (work for others in fin. hardship).

Answer (C)

Harsh2111s · Answer

AndrewN   VeritasKarishma 
How to eliminate option B ?
Please explain.

AndrewN · Answer

Hello,  Harsh2111s . The four conditions at the end of the passage give us criteria with which to evaluate the answer choices:

Now, see if choice (B) fulfills all four criteria:

In addition to the missing description of the event, unless you want to argue that that is encompassed by  the patient's current condition , notice that criterion 4 is only half met. We should expect a two-fold analysis, one concerning  history  in general, the other concerning  the individual . The focus in (B) seems to be on the individual only. For these reasons, we can eliminate (B). See if you can align the four criteria with the statements in (A), and I think you will be more satisfied.

I hope that helps. Thank you for thinking to ask me about this one. Good luck with your studies.

- Andrew

Sneha2021 · Answer

KarishmaB   GMATNinja

1. Which one of the following most accurately states the central idea of the passage?

(D) Abrams describes historical sociology as a discipline that unites two approaches taken by sociologists to studying the formation of societies and applies the resulting combined approach to the study of history.
(E) Abrams describes historical society as an attempt to compensate for the shortcoming of traditional historical methods by applying the methods established in sociology.

Why E is incorrect?
Is it bcz Abram never described "historical society"?
Abrams did try to compensate the issue with one side traditional approach by introducing 4 fold approach in 3rd para.

What do you think would be a good reason to eliminate E? 
How D is correct? how historical sociology as a discipline unites two approaches?
Thanks!

GMATNinja · Answer

Question 1 
 
First, note that there was a typo in choice (E) that has been fixed -- it's "historical  sociology " not "historical  society ".

Choice (E) is limited to an explanation of historical sociology and its advantages as a field: history is great, but history + sociology is even better.

The author didn't write this passage just to let us know how Abrams defined historical sociology and why it is a useful field. Instead, the author highlights what Abrams viewed as a flawed approach to the subject of historical sociology: sociologists look at things one of two ways when they should be looking at things from BOTH of those ways.

In other words, Abrams thinks it's necessary to UNITE the two ways in which sociologists currently approach historical sociology. The combination results in something that Abrams calls "structuring", and Abrams also sees history as the result of structuring. The second and third paragraph then describe how Abrams wants structuring to be incorporated into the study of history.

This all fits nicely with choice (D): Abrams   describes historical sociology as a discipline that unites two approaches taken by sociologists to studying the formation of societies and   applies the resulting combined approach to the study of history.

I hope that helps!

prragya · Answer

GMATNinja  can you please help me understand why D is incorrect for Q2

GMATNinja · Answer

This passage is an excellent example of why everyone hates academic writing. 😬

If you strip away all the dense jargon and convoluted prose, the idea is a very simple one: this guy Abrams is called a "historical sociologist," which is just a fancy way of saying he studies the ways that humans make society, and the ways that society, in turn, shapes human behavior. Makes sense!

He then takes this idea and applies it to history: human behavior shapes history, which, in turn, shapes human behavior. Also makes sense!

So what comes next? Maybe some kind of some kind of wishy-washy conclusion about how Abrams's thinking will help us better understand history? That's more or less what (E) gives us.

I can see why you were tempted by (D). In the first paragraph, after all, we're told that other sociologists have a "one-sided" view of things.

But once we move from sociology (in paragraph one) to history (in the remainder of the passage), we're no longer focusing on anyone else's shortcomings. It's more about understanding why Abrams's line of thinking is useful. Put another way: by paragraph three, the passage's tone is way more "Abrams = good" then "Abrams's competitors = bad," and the next line should reflect that trajectory.

I hope that clears things up!

In explaining the foundations of the discipline known as historical

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