Since ancient times, human beings have always wondered about the reality and circumstances that surround their passage through the world. Where do we and what surrounds us come from? Where we go? Why do we exist? How do we explain the creatures, conditions and phenomena we observe? And one of the questions that perhaps we have asked ourselves the most when observing a phenomenon, action or situation: what is its cause?
It is possible that when we hear a doctor, psychologist or other professional speak, they will at some point use the word etiology when solving any of the above questions, a word that may be uncommon or unknown to most people. What is etiology? In this article we are going to briefly analyze this concept.
Etiology is the branch of science that is responsible for the study and analysis of the cause or genesis of things phenomena or situations.
It is important to take into account and emphasize that this is a scientific study, analyzing and exploring the variables that can generate the analyzed phenomena. For this, experimental methodology is used to analyze the relationships between different variables.
In this way, the concept of etiology would not include beliefs that have not been empirically and experimentally tested, even though they also try to give meaning and attribute an origin to different aspects of reality. However, although it is not a word widely used by the general population, it is sometimes frequently used at a popular level to talk about the cause attributed to a phenomenon even if said link is not proven.
It must be taken into account that in any natural process there are always many factors involved that influence in a more direct or indirect way what is being studied. Consequently, through etiology we try to clarify which are the main processes or phenomena that explain something, assuming that they probably will not be the only ones and that there are surely many others behind them.
Thus, what we try to do is break down a phenomenon into parts and focus on its root, understanding that the cause of interest must provide a combination of exhaustiveness and simplicity to the explanation of what happens.
Not only the direct cause
In addition to the causes themselves, It also allows us to establish factors and variables that, without being directly the cause, participate in the genesis of what has been studied or that make it difficult.
The predisposing or protective factors that participate in or make the appearance of, for example, a disease less likely, are studied and analyzed. Triggering and enhancing factors are also worked on.
In conclusion, the variables that interact to cause a situation are studied, taking into account that generally there is no single cause.
Etiology in science
Etiology is a science that in turn is part of many other disciplines, since in the latter the reason or cause of the phenomena in a certain area of knowledge is also explored. Next we will observe how it is applied since etiology is dedicated to different areas.
1. Medicine
In the field of medicine, the term etiology is used to talk about the cause of the diseases and disorders suffered by users or patients.
The origin of a disease is sought in order to understand its mechanism of action and how it works and, based on this knowledge, investigate and generate treatments that can cure it or alleviate its symptoms.
The causes in question are usually biological and in many cases can be very clear, even though the same disease may have different causes in different cases.
2. Psychology
In the field of psychology, etiology also seeks the causes of an individual having different cognitions or beliefs, whether or not they perform a specific behavior, or the factors that cause a mental disorder.
In this area, the study of the causes is relatively more complex than in the previous case, given that the mental phenomena are not directly observable. It is necessary to extrapolate the information from the relationships established between different variables.
3. Sociology
In sociology, etiology is responsible for searching, studying and analyzing the factors that explain the origin of a certain social phenomenon.
Aspects such as leadership, the formation of a group and phenomena such as group polarization, the existence of urban tribes, beliefs and customs are examples of themes whose origin is sought in sociology (and also from social psychology).
4. Biology
As in medicine, biology also analyzes the cause or etiology of the different biological processes that occur both in our species and in others.
The origin of processes and phenomena such as reproduction, feeding, migration or the characteristics of living beings, for example, is analyzed. Depending on whether the focus is on the micro or the macro, the etiology sought will vary.
In law the word etiology is not usually used as much as in the health sciences, but in this area it also has its application.
Thus, the causes that have led to the commission of a crime, or certain norms and laws, are sought, and that is the element that explains the most things about what happened.
