Sociology and Science Flashcards
Sociology CANNOT/SHOULD NOT be a science vs SHOULD AND CAN (39 cards)
What are the 4 reasons why Sociology CAN and SHOULD BE a science?
- Positivists
- Objectivity
- Paradigm Shift
- Some sociology can be falsified.
What are the 4 reasons why sociology CANNOT and SHOULD NOT be a science?
- Interpretivists
- Committed Sociology
- Paradigms
- Falsification
What do Positivists want Sociology to be perceived as? Why?
- Durkheim and other positivists want sociology to be perceived as and follow same structure as natural scientists - so can gain true, objective knowledge similar to natural sciences.
Why do Positivist sociologists want to use objective information?
To solve social problems and achieve progress
Which Positivist used objective information in their research?
Durkheim used official statistics to make comparisons of suicide statistics - large amount of data allowed his findings to be representative.
According to Positivists, why should sociology be a science?
Using scientific methods allows us to gain objective data.
What other explanation for why sociology should not be a science matches to Positivists?
Interpretivists
Why do Interpretivists think it is inappropriate to use scientific research methods in Sociology?
Scientific research methods are inappropriate to study society, as society cannot it into a lab or be quantified, which positivists seek to do.
According to Interpretivists, what should sociologists seek to do in research? Which data enables them to do this?
Sociologists should seek to gain verstehen (empathetic understanding of ppts). Qualitative data should be generated for detail and depth.
Which Interpretivist criticised Durkheim’s research on suicide? Why?
- Douglas has criticised Durkheim for using quantitative data and studying suicide using official statistics.
How do Interpretivists think issues like suicide should be studied? How did Douglas study suicide?
Issues such as suicide should be studied sensitively using qualitative data in order to gain in depth data and verstehen. Douglas studied suicide using documents such as suicide notes - looking into WHY suicide, rather than simply considering them a number.
Therefore, Interpretivists believe Sociology cannot and should not be a science because…
Sociology, as a subject, should aim to gain detailed, in depth understanding of society.
What is meant by Objectivity? Which sociologists value objectivity?
Positivist sociologists value objectivity (being factual and keeping opinions out of the research)
Objectivity: Why should Sociologists not impose their own values into research?
Sociology should be value free - not impose their own values in studies. Sociological data should be objective so not clouded by subjective opinions, increasing validity.
Objectivity: What might happen if sociologists did impose their own values into research?
Validity would be compromised and becomes tainted by research bias and opinion.
What explanation for why Sociology cannot and should not be a science matches Objectivity?
Committed Sociology
Committed Sociology: What did Marxist, Gouldner, argue sociologists should be doing?
Marxist, Gouldner, argues sociologists should be committed to their discipline by openly taking sides. Should advocate for values and interests of particular groups - the ‘underdogs’ such as EMs, WC, women..
Committed Sociology: Who else, asides from Marxists, agree Sociologists should take a side? Whose side should they take, and why?
Feminists argue sociologists should be on the side of females - so they have voice in patriarchy. Empathising with ppts = verstehen.
Committed Sociology: What is a key difference between the social and natural sciences?
Natural sciences are value free, and opinions of scientists not expected to impose their own values in scientific research. Highlights a significant difference between social and natural sciences.
What is meant by a Paradigm Shift?
A movement away from the paradigm and the shared set of assumptions, where, as confidence in the existing paradigm declines, scientists seek new answers.
When does a scientific revolution take place? What indicates that a paradigm shift has occurred?
A scientific revolution takes place as scientists look for a strong set of objective findings. When scientific community accepts competing paradigm, this becomes the new paradigm - indicating a paradigm shift has occurred.
What is an example of a Paradigm Shift in Science?
Everyone used to believe the world was flat, until it was proved to be round, and became the new paradigm.
Where have Paradigm Shifts occurred in Sociology?
Sociologists, such as Functionalists and Marxists, agreed that we were in a modern society, but a new theory of Postmodernism has emerged, who argue we have moved away from modernity, indicating a paradigm shift has occured.
Therefore. Why does Paradigm Shifts prove sociology can and should be a science?
Paradigm shifts occur in the natural sciences the same way they do in sociology - therefore should be a science as similar.
