Approaches in Sociology

Question 1

What is Positivism?

Answer 1

Positivists such as Durkheim believe society should be studied objectively, feeling less interested in the thoughts of individuals and instead ‘social fact’s - things that exist objectively without the influence of individuals (macro approach).

Question 2

What do Positivists argue?

Answer 2

• There are objective social facts (something that exists outside of the individual but has an effect on their behaviour) as well as laws of human behaviour.
• Facts should be researched quantitatively in order to look for correlations and therefore establish causal relationships.
• The society shapes the individual.
• Society studied on a macro level as one big unit.
• Sociology is ‘value free’, values do not interfere with research.

Question 3

Advantages of Positivism:

Answer 3

• Can identify trends over time as well as causal relationships through correlations.
• Easy analysis of data through computers.
• Quick, cheap, straightforward.

Question 4

Disadvantages of Positivism:

Answer 4

• Difficult to operationalise key concepts.
• Fails to consider meanings.
• Difficult to gather information about more complex, personal topics.

Question 5

What is Interpretivism?

Answer 5

Interpretivists such as Weber believe society should be studied based on the meanings behind the behaviour of individuals, using empathy to subjectively study society (micro approach).

Question 6

What do Interpretivists argue?

Answer 6

• To understand human behaviour, we must see the world through the eyes of the individual (Verstehen).
• Qualitative data is rich and in-depth therefore gives more insight into human behaviour.
• Individual shapes the society.
• Society should be studied on a micro level.

Question 7

Advantages of Interpretivism:

Answer 7

• High in validity: can produce rich in-depth data.
• Can gain insights unique to the researchers thoughts.
• Allows for empathetic understanding - verstehen.

Question 8

Disadvantages of Interpretivism:

Answer 8

• Time consuming.
• Cannot generalise de to samples often being smaller and unrepresentative.
• Often relies on the subjective interpretation of the researcher.
• Low in reliability.