MT4 - Sociology and science

Question 1

Positivism

Answer 1

Positivists argue that it is possible to apply the logic and methods of natural sciences to the study of society
Positivists also believe that researchers should be detached and objective from their subject matter and not allow their personal values to interfere with the research.

Question 2

Realism - Keat and Urry

Answer 2

Point out similarities between natural sciences and sociology
They distinguish between:
Open systems –Where the researcher can not control and measure all the relevant variables.
Closed systems – Where the researcher can control and measure all the relevant variables.

Question 3

Interpretivism

Answer 3

Interpretivists argue that the scientific approach is inadequate and unsuitable for the study of human beings.

The subject matter of Sociology is meaningful social action which can only be understood through interpretation of the meanings individuals attach to their actions.

Question 4

Postmodernism and Poststructalist feminism

Answer 4

Postmodernists argue that sociology is not a science, because they argue natural sciences are meta-narratives – claiming to have special, true knowledge, when in fact, their theories are just another view of the world as valid as any other.

For postmodernists, the scientific approach is dangerous because it claims the monopoly of the truth and therefore excludes other points of view.

Question 5

Kuhn (3 stages in development of science)

Answer 5

Science only exists when it has an accepted paradigm (a way of viewing the world in a particular period of history)
Kuhn explains how science develops by going through scientific revolutions where a paradigm shift takes place

Pre-science – there is no central paradigm
Normal science – is a period of stability within science, the scientific explanations are accepted.
Revolutionary science – is a period of crisis within science when scientists make discoveries that go against the paradigm

Question 6

Popper

Answer 6

Popper disagrees with Positivists that science is based on the inductive method and verificationism. He says these are based on fallacies (mistakes).

Popper argues in favour of falsification - he argued that a valid science must aim to refute hypotheses. This includes finding evidence to falsify a theory. Therefore, all knowledge is temporary, it is only true until it is falsified.