Objectivity And Values Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is the enlightenment modernist view of the role of sociology?
Positivist
COMTE/DURKHEIM
As the science of society, sociologists would be able to say objectively and with scientific certainty what was really best for society so social problems can be solved
MARX saw himself as a scientist and believed his method of historical analysis would help deliver a ‘good’ society
Do positivists see sociology as value free?
Saw their own values as irrelevant to research, mainly due to the desire to be scientific
Should remain morally neutral and value free, job simply to establish the objective and empirical truth about people’s behaviour
Attempt to minimise subjective factors with more detached methods of research e.g. closed questions, structured interviews and NPO
REFLECTING their desire to make sociology respectable, scientific prestige would raise status
Why do many sociologists wish sociology to be seen as scientific?
- so social problems and gain insights on human behaviour—> reflects enlightenment goals e.g. tackle crime
- see objectively what is best to solve issues, empirical knowledge
- could be seen as more respected with a higher status/ prestige
Do interpretivists argue sociology can be value free?
Many argue absolute neutrality is impossible
WEBER: values inevitably guide research, influence the topics the individual feels is relevant to study
Phenomenology: social reality made up of ‘meaningless infinity’ of facts so impossible to study totality therefore ‘value relevance’ (studies individual interests)
But even though they choose the aspect, sociologists must remain objective and unbiased to collect facts/ data —> after this it is down to the sociologists own interpretation and theoretical framework
How does GOULDNER support WEBER’s view?
Interpretivist
All research inevitably influenced by values e.g. background, upbringing, social status (unlikely value free)
Different sociological perspectives embody different assumptions and values about how society should be
Which assumptions do functionalists make about society?
Society shapes the individual and assume the world has social solidarity / equilibrium / value consensus
What assumptions do Marxists make about society?
Society reproduces and reinforces class inequalities through capitalism and exploitation of the proletariat
What assumptions do feminists make about society?
Society is based upon patriarchy with women subordinate to men
How are theory and method linked?
- positivists: quantify/ generalise/ practical/ representative/ scientific methodology
- interpretivists: ethical/ qualitative data/ non scientific/ in depth
How does funding impact objectivity?
Most sociological research funded by the governmentdepartments, businesses and voluntary organisations.
Most often the funding body controls the direction of the research and questions, therefore likely to embody the values and interests of the paymasters
How can sociologists overcome the influence of values in research?
WEBER: value freedom is impossible sociologists must be explicit in their beliefs
PHILIPS: argues sociologists should bring their values out into the open so others are aware of any potential bias to ensure transparency
How can sociologists overcome the influence of values in research?
WEBER: value freedom is impossible sociologists must be explicit in their beliefs
PHILIPS: argues sociologists should bring their values out into the open so others are aware of any potential bias to ensure transparency
Examples of reflexive work in sociology (interpretivist)
1977 WILLIS: ‘learning to labour’ was explicit in values and still an objective study, values only to impact interpretation
1979 OAKLEY: ‘from here to maternity’ to look at the experience of becoming a mother in modern british society —> gender having the most impact on women’s lives rather than marriage
How might Oakley’s biases influence her research?
‘A feminist, academic, sociologist and woman with children’—>influence chosen topics
‘Depressed and oppressed’ after giving birth a haze/ no happiness, the contentment presented by society may have clouded judgement
‘In the course of my research began to confuse myself’
