objectivity and values - new Flashcards

1
Q

two types of value/objectivity

A

value laden / subjective - requires interpretation and cannot be easily verified/falsified

value free - objectively true (no bias)

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2
Q

what was early sociology dominated by

A

positivists
- comte, durkheim etc

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3
Q

how did early positivists see society and sociology

A

saw sociology as a scientific view that would give them answers for how society should be ran

  • crucial role of discovering how society works so that we could scientifically say what to do - solve social problems
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4
Q

was karl marx a positivist

A

he deffo saw himself as a scientist and believed he discovered truth about societies future and inevitabiliy of classless society

  • he saw his role as revealing the truth to the proletariat
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5
Q

what distinction does weber make

A

distinction between value judgements and facts -
thought we cannot derive one from the other

eg, just because divorces can drive suicide rate up, we shouldnt make divorce illegal, since we cannot prove the value judgement

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6
Q

how did weber see values as essential for society

A
  • can be a guide to research (relevance to us)
  • date collection and hypothesis testing (he said we should try be as objective as possible)
  • values in interpretation of data - our choice of theoretical framwork is influenced by values - so must state values explicity to show unconscious bias
  • sociologist as a citizen - must take moral respobsibility of their work - eg, if it causes harm,
    eg. einsteins theory helped make atomic bombs but he spoke out against nuclear weapons
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7
Q

did weber think sociology was value free

A

yes, he thought we attached values to it

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8
Q

Becker and interactionism on values

A

social life based on interaction - he says meaning and actions are negotiated

  • meanings are linked to value since the meaning a social actor attaches to an event will reflect their values
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9
Q

who says ‘we cannot avoid taking sides’ in sociology - what is their solution

A

becker :)
(sociologist should be aware of biases and make this clear)
- to overcome imbalance, should take compassionate stance with underdogs - to understand their voice we often have to be biased (mental patient seeing pscychologist as evil)

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10
Q

who called becker a ‘peeping tom’

A

Goulder

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11
Q

evaluation on Becker (+ the sociologist)

A
  • becker is a ‘peeping tom’ who does nothing to help ‘underdogs’ he studies
  • takes a romantic appraoch to disadvantaged groups
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12
Q

Goulder on value and functionalism

A

functionalism projects political + ideological neutrality which is claiming to be above politics but acc serves needs of status quo

  • takes a marxist view that we should side with powerless and commit to helping overcome oppression
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13
Q

why does funding and careers affect value (3)

A
  • most sociologial research paid by govt, business etc so wont fund things that challenge their work
  • may block publication of research they funded if it goes against what they want
  • sociologists will want to further careers and censor themselves to help this
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14
Q

An example of where we should be biased (with sociologist)

A

Goffman
- to describe situation of mental patient faithfully we must be biased in favour of patient and against psychiatrist

  • link to empathising with powerless to give them a voice
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15
Q

how did becker’s values influence his choice of methods

A

wanted to research ‘underdogs; so usually chose qualitative methods to reveal word and gain verstehen

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16
Q

what does relativism argue about objectivity

A
  • diff groups of individuals have diff views to what is true - reflected in values + interests
  • no way of judging if a view is truer than any other
  • no absolute truth just plural truths
17
Q

how do values link to conflict and consensus theories, eg, feminism

A

embodies assumption of society that it is based upon gender inequality and so research will reflect this.
- their same research will be conflicted with func research, which may say certain differences, such as expressive role, is good for society

18
Q

who says all resaerch is inevitably influenced by values

A

Gouldner

19
Q

who says there is no objective truth, just plural truths

A

relativism (what post modernists agree with - link to meta narratives)

20
Q

democratisation of truth meaning

A

every individual has their own truth - it is all subjective
(relativism)