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Debates Sociology > Sociology and Science > Flashcards

Sociology and Science Flashcards

Sociology CANNOT/SHOULD NOT be a science vs SHOULD AND CAN

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Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What are the 4 reasons why Sociology CAN and SHOULD BE a science?

A
  1. Positivists
  2. Objectivity
  3. Paradigm Shift
  4. Some sociology can be falsified.
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2
Q

What are the 4 reasons why sociology CANNOT and SHOULD NOT be a science?

A
  1. Interpretivists
  2. Committed Sociology
  3. Paradigms
  4. Falsification
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3
Q

What do Positivists want Sociology to be perceived as? Why?

A
  • Durkheim and other positivists want sociology to be perceived as and follow same structure as natural scientists - so can gain true, objective knowledge similar to natural sciences.
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4
Q

Why do Positivist sociologists want to use objective information?

A

To solve social problems and achieve progress

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5
Q

Which Positivist used objective information in their research?

A

Durkheim used official statistics to make comparisons of suicide statistics - large amount of data allowed his findings to be representative.

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6
Q

According to Positivists, why should sociology be a science?

A

Using scientific methods allows us to gain objective data.

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7
Q

What other explanation for why sociology should not be a science matches to Positivists?

A

Interpretivists

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8
Q

Why do Interpretivists think it is inappropriate to use scientific research methods in Sociology?

A

Scientific research methods are inappropriate to study society, as society cannot it into a lab or be quantified, which positivists seek to do.

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9
Q

According to Interpretivists, what should sociologists seek to do in research? Which data enables them to do this?

A

Sociologists should seek to gain verstehen (empathetic understanding of ppts). Qualitative data should be generated for detail and depth.

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10
Q

Which Interpretivist criticised Durkheim’s research on suicide? Why?

A
  • Douglas has criticised Durkheim for using quantitative data and studying suicide using official statistics.
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11
Q

How do Interpretivists think issues like suicide should be studied? How did Douglas study suicide?

A

Issues such as suicide should be studied sensitively using qualitative data in order to gain in depth data and verstehen. Douglas studied suicide using documents such as suicide notes - looking into WHY suicide, rather than simply considering them a number.

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12
Q

Therefore, Interpretivists believe Sociology cannot and should not be a science because…

A

Sociology, as a subject, should aim to gain detailed, in depth understanding of society.

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13
Q

What is meant by Objectivity? Which sociologists value objectivity?

A

Positivist sociologists value objectivity (being factual and keeping opinions out of the research)

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14
Q

Objectivity: Why should Sociologists not impose their own values into research?

A

Sociology should be value free - not impose their own values in studies. Sociological data should be objective so not clouded by subjective opinions, increasing validity.

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15
Q

Objectivity: What might happen if sociologists did impose their own values into research?

A

Validity would be compromised and becomes tainted by research bias and opinion.

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16
Q

What explanation for why Sociology cannot and should not be a science matches Objectivity?

A

Committed Sociology

17
Q

Committed Sociology: What did Marxist, Gouldner, argue sociologists should be doing?

A

Marxist, Gouldner, argues sociologists should be committed to their discipline by openly taking sides. Should advocate for values and interests of particular groups - the ‘underdogs’ such as EMs, WC, women..

18
Q

Committed Sociology: Who else, asides from Marxists, agree Sociologists should take a side? Whose side should they take, and why?

A

Feminists argue sociologists should be on the side of females - so they have voice in patriarchy. Empathising with ppts = verstehen.

19
Q

Committed Sociology: What is a key difference between the social and natural sciences?

A

Natural sciences are value free, and opinions of scientists not expected to impose their own values in scientific research. Highlights a significant difference between social and natural sciences.

20
Q

What is meant by a Paradigm Shift?

A

A movement away from the paradigm and the shared set of assumptions, where, as confidence in the existing paradigm declines, scientists seek new answers.

21
Q

When does a scientific revolution take place? What indicates that a paradigm shift has occurred?

A

A scientific revolution takes place as scientists look for a strong set of objective findings. When scientific community accepts competing paradigm, this becomes the new paradigm - indicating a paradigm shift has occurred.

22
Q

What is an example of a Paradigm Shift in Science?

A

Everyone used to believe the world was flat, until it was proved to be round, and became the new paradigm.

23
Q

Where have Paradigm Shifts occurred in Sociology?

A

Sociologists, such as Functionalists and Marxists, agreed that we were in a modern society, but a new theory of Postmodernism has emerged, who argue we have moved away from modernity, indicating a paradigm shift has occured.

24
Q

Therefore. Why does Paradigm Shifts prove sociology can and should be a science?

A

Paradigm shifts occur in the natural sciences the same way they do in sociology - therefore should be a science as similar.

25
Q

What argument for why Sociology cannot and should not be a science matches Paradigm Shifts?

A

Paradigm

26
Q

What is a Paradigm? What might a paradigm tell researchers?

A

A shared set of assumptions, which people within the same discipline hold. A paradigm tells researchers how they ought to think/behave - scientists come to accept the paradigm uncritically due to their socialisation.

27
Q

What is an example of a Paradigm in science?

A

All biologists believe in photosynthesis and base their future research on this assumption.

28
Q

The natural sciences all have a paradigm, in which they base…

A

their research on

29
Q

What did Kuhn argue would happen for science without a paradigm?

A

Kuhn: Science cannot exist without a shared paradigm as without a shared consensus there would only be rival thoughts and not a unified body of research.

30
Q

Does Sociology have a Paradigm?

A

Sociology does not have a Paradigm, as competing theories exist. Eg. NR do not agree with Feminists, a shared set of assumptions do not exist in sociology.

31
Q

Paradigm: Therefore, Sociology cannot and should not be a science because…

A

No unified, shared set of ideas to base research on.

32
Q

What is a final reason why Sociology can and should be considered a science?
- Some sociology can be…

A

Some sociology can be falsified.

33
Q

What does it mean if some theories/aspects of sociology can be falsified?

A

Some theories can be falsified - tested, and proven wrong by others.

34
Q

What is an example of where some theories of sociology have been falsified?

A

Theories have managed to falsify the NR belief that SPFs lead to a life of crime. Theories such as Feminism and LRs criticise NR for this assumption and proved Murray wrong.

35
Q

If some sociology can be falsified, why should it therefore be a science?

A

Falsification is a key feature of science, and sociology can be falsified just like in the natural sciences, and so should therefore be a science.

36
Q

What explanation of why Sociology cannot and should not be a science matches ‘some sociology can be falsified’?

A

Falsification

37
Q

Falsification: What did Popper argue makes science unique?

A

Popper: What makes science unique is falsificationism - a scientific statement is one that can be falsified and proved wrong.

38
Q

Falsification: Why is sociology seen as unscientific?

A

Sociology can be seen as unscientific because it consists of theories that cannot be tested or falsified/disproven.

39
Q

What is an example of how Sociology cannot be falsified?

A

Marx predicts a revolution will occur, leading to a classless society, but this has not happened because of proletariats’ FCC. So, prediction cannot be falsified. If there is a revolution, Marx is correct. If there isn’t, Marx is still correct.

Debates Sociology (3 decks)

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