INTERPRETIVISM Flashcards
Which positivist view do interpretivists reject?
That human behaviour is determined and shaped by social structure over which people have no control.
What does Mead argue about people’s sense of self?
Can only develop in a social context.
What is ‘verstehen’?
We need to develop empathetic, understanding, which Weber called ‘verstehen’.
What is researcher imposition?
When a researcher only focuses on what they think is important which may neglect what the research subject thinks.
What is rapport?
Unique and trusting relationships between the researcher and research subject.
What does interpretivist research endeavour to do?
Get inside people’s heads and experience the world from the research subjects point of view.
Interpretivists prefer what kind of data?
Qualitative.
Interpretivists prefer what kind of research methods?
Primary research methods such as, unstructured interviews.
Give two Positivist critiques of Interpretivist research methods.
1) No effort to control possible influential independent or dependent variables.
2) Requires a researcher to be part of the study, their presence may become obstructive.
How have Interpretivist sociologists tried to counter the criticism they get from Positivists?
By keeping a research diary that documents every stage of research. Known as reflexivity.
What methodology do most researchers use?
Whatever methods work best, normally a combination of positivist and interpretivist.
