Sociology and Science Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is science?
Science can be seen as a specific body of knowledge different from other forms such as magic, religion, philosophy etc
What are the 5 key components of science?
Empirical, testable, theoretical, cumulative, objective
Which sociologist was keen to have sociology seen as the science of society?
Durkheim
Which types of sociologists believe the scientist approach isn’t suitable for studying social behaviour?
Interactions, postmodernists and feminists
Which theoretical perspective argues that sociology is a science?
Positivists
Which theoretical perspective argues that sociology is not a science?
Interpretivists
Why do positivists believe it is possible for sociology to be a science?
Because it is possible to establish objective facts through scientific research methods and through collection and analysis of empirical evidence
What methods do positivists prefer?
Quantitative, reliable methods which allows them to draw conclusions and develop facts
What does Comte argue?
Sociology is the queen of science, it should be treated as a natural science alongside physics, biology and chemistry. Everything in society follows patterns and sociology should find a causal relationship for this. Scientifically and objectively is the only way to do this as ideas can be verified
Maybe - sociology could be a science - Popper
Science is falsifiable with sociology being the opposite, working on the idea of verification. Sociology isn’t scientific enough but has potential to be if it focuses on falsification. Can’t prove a theory true by gathering evidence to ‘verify’ it. Sociology is a deductive approach meaning it looks for ways to prove theories right - until this changes sociology can’t be a science
Maybe - sociology could be a science - Kuhn
Kuhn claims normal science operates within a paradigm - an accepted set of assumptions & frame work that all research is carried out within. Sociology doesn’t have this because different perspectives have competing arguments, theories and methods to carry out research. A scientific paradigm is rarely questioned (despite paradigm shift). Sociology doesn’t have a shared paradigm - thus unscientific. If given time this could change
Maybe -sociology could be a science - Keat and Urry (realism)
This question depends on an individuals definition of science. Closed definition->variables controlled and precise measurements - typical lab experiments - biology&chemistry
Open definition->Not all variables can be controlled e.g. meterologists. Not all elements can be controlled
Why do interpretivists believe sociology is not a science?
Scientists study unconscious beings and can predict reaction, whereas interpretivists want to study people - human actors. We are conscious beings with thoughts feelings and values , impossible to predict and measure. Sociology aims to gain verstehen (Weber) and can’t be obtained through scientific quantitative data as meanings are unobservable.
Atkinson’s evidence of sociology not being a science
Suicide - we cannot know the real rate of suicide as all suicides are recorded with interpretation based on the mode of death and location. We can’t study this objectively because coroners have a common sense theory about the typical suicide
Post modernist view of sociology not being a science
Scientific knowledge is outdated. We have moved into a new fluid flexible and diverse world where scientific knowledge is just another meta narrative that can’t explain this new society
