is sociology a science - interpretivism

Question 1

Do they believe sociology is a science?

Answer 1

no

Question 2

How do they believe is the way to understand social action?

Answer 2

Believes we can only understand social action by interpreting (internal) meanings of the individual actors involved so meanings as opposed to science cause and effect reasoning

Question 3

What does it argue the main differene is between science and sociology

Answer 3

Argue the main difference is sociology studies individual (with consciousness and agency) meaning that the actions can only be understood in terms of the individuals internal meanings

Question 4

Do they believe we have autonomy and choice ?

Answer 4

We have choice over behaviour → so interpret the meaning of a stimulus rather than social facts control us **(MEAD) **
So the argument is we are not puppets controlled by social facts but are autonomous who control world through the meaning they give to it

Question 5

What is verstehen

Answer 5

Favour the use of (verstehen) to understand the meanings fully

Question 6

Do they accept or reject the scientific method ?

Answer 6

Reject the logic and methods of science → but rather should gather meanings from individuals viewpoints

Question 7

do they favour qualitaitve or quantitative methods?

Answer 7

Favour use of (qualitative methods) → ^ validity and give a subjective understanding
Ppt observations,unstructured interviews,personal documents