Debates
Sociology and Science
5 Components of a Science:
- Empirical (measurable)
- Testable (Retested and repeatable)
- Theoretical (not describe, but also explain)
- Cumulative (builds on previous knowledge)
- Objective (Personal feelings have no place)
Falsification- Popper
Instead of verification, the idea that statements can in principle be falsified by evidence is what makes a science.
A good theory is one that stands up to any attempts to disprove it.
E.g Marxism states that there will be a revolution to overthrow capitalism but this revolution has not yet occurred due to false class consciousness. This theory cannot be falsified as if there is one, Marxism is correct, and if there is not, Marxism is correct. But the capability of producing testable hypotheses, Popper says, means it could be a science.
Realists
Similraities depend on the amount of control the researcher has over their variables identifying two systems:
- Closed: researchers are able to control and measure all variables so can make predictions
- Open: not able to control, so precise predictions cannot be made due to the complex nature of the subject.
Positivists
Reality exists independently from the mind so can be examined objectivity.
Social facts make up the rules of society, separate to individuals.
This means that society can be studied in the same way as the natural world so patterns can be observed to create the social facts that rule society. (Inductive reasoning)
The data collected can be accumulated through careful observation and measurement, so a theory can be formed and further studied.
Positivists believe sociology should be researched like this to remain value free and patterns and causation can be established.
Interpretivists
Sociology is concerned with unobservable internal meanings behind action, not external causes where as sciences deal mostly with the observable cause and effect.
The natural sciences do not involve consciousness thus behaviour can be explained as a reaction to external stimulus.
Sociology dealing with conscious beings who make sense of the world by attaching meaning to action.
Should research be value free?
Value free: sociology must be free from personal/political bias.
A positivist, objective, reliable, macro approach.
Value laden: personal values should not intrude on research, but keeping them out is impossible. (Postmodernist)
Committed sociology:values should guide research (deterministic sociologists such as Marxists and feminists hold clear value)
Should sociology influence social policy?
Affirmative:
- Functionalists argue that it can be used to restore order. Value consensus to serve the interests of society as a whole, producing rational policies that help society run more smoothly.
Social facts should be applied to society.
Evaluation: functionalism becoming less relevant.
Negative:
- Weber: It is not the job of sociologists to intervene in the social world, that falls to politicians.
The New Right agree. - Worsely: social (gangs, crime, poverty) and sociological problems (cultures, any part of a relationship that calls for explanation) differ
- Marxists argue the government ignore research to focus on the middle class to protect the interests of the wealthy.
- Clash of ideologies: dependent on who is in power such as a social democratic perspective research into poverty would not act favourably with a right-wing conservative government. E.g knife crime, Labour addressing lack of opportunity (left realist), Right realist policies would include the proposals of ‘stop and search’ more aligned with the Conservative party.
Positivism vs Interpretivism
Strengths of positivism:
Relies on quantitative data which is more scientific, thus more trustworthy, providing objective information that can be used to make assumptions.
Follows a well defined structure of research.
The researcher has full control with clear theoretical focus.
Weaknesses of positivism:
human behaviour comes naturally with emotional responses hence cannot remain entirely objective although the disregard is encouraged it is not necessarily possible.
Strengths of interpretivism:
valid responses due to its qualitative nature
Achieving verstehen
Allows for complex and contextual factors to be discussed.
Weaknesses of interpretivism:
Low generalisability
Not representative
Not reliable
Researcher imposition has bias.
Data collection can be time consuming.
Example of swans
Scientists should look for black swans to disprove all swans are white, even if they collect lots of evidence of white swans
Particularly criticised Marxism (a ‘faux science’) as you cannot disprove false class consciousness
- Someone would suggest false class consciousness
Sociology as a science misunderstands the nature of human behaviour and the nature of society.
An attempt to make sociology a science to make it measurable and and countable disguises the truth in society.
Postmodernists would argue that sociology as scientific is just another meta narrative and can lead to oppression because once the truth is proven it cannot be contested.
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