Theory and Methods- Sociology and Social Policy Flashcards
What are the 4 practical purposes of sociological research according to Giddens?
- An understanding of the world
- A heightened awareness of needs of individual groups
- An assessment of ‘what works’
- An increased personal knowledge of ourselves and others
What are social policies?
Government policies that deal with the wellbeing of citizens
What are 3 examples of social policies?
Pensions, health, education
What are new ideas for social policies generated by? (3 points)
Governments, political parties and pressure groups
How do social policies vary?
With the party in power
Who carries out most research for social policy?
Government agencies
Who carries out some research for social policy? (2 points)
Charities and university departments
What can quantitative statistical social research do for social policy?
To discover basic social trends
What can in-depth qualitative social research do for social policy?
Give insight into the causes of social problems such as poverty and crime, and can help in the search for policies to tackle them
What did the creation of the Welfare State after the second world war give?
The impression in the late 1960s that poverty had been largely eradicated from the UK
What did the research from Townsend and Mack and Lansley that showed that poverty was a hidden problem lead to?
Sociologists then did more research to come up with theories of why certain groups were more vulnerable to poverty
Who did social democrats blame for poverty?
An inadequate welfare system
Who did the New Right blame for poverty?
Reliance on an over-generous welfare system
What did Weber believe about sociology?
It shouldn’t make value judgements and it shouldn’t tell policy-makers to fix society
What did Weber argue about sociological research?
It can tell decision-makers whether a particular policy is likely to have the desired results and what social costs the policy will incur
What did Weber think about the policy-maker?
They should come up with the policy first and then researchers should go away and find evidence to work out the best way of doing it
Why did Weber think it was important to have good methodology?
To give the most useful information of policy-makers
What do critics of Weber say?
Policy should come after evidence gathering, not before, as there’s a danger that only evidence which backs up the policy will be found- evidence which might suggest a much better policy might be ignored
What does postmodernist Bauman believe?
Sociology should inform social research, and worries that society may get worse if sociological theories about poverty and welfare aren’t listened to
What does Bauman argue?
That postmodern consumer society is marginalising the Welfare state and believes this to be a bad thing
Why is Lyotard worried that ‘scientific’ methods of sociological research could be used to construct oppressive metanarratives?
He sees modernist metanarratives as leading to strict doctrine and oppression
What do Marxists believe about sociology?
It is too closely intertwined with the capitalist system to make a difference to society
What do Marxists suggest that sociological study is?
A tool used to justify unjust social policy as they believe that capitalism is inherently flawed and oppressive
Who control research according to Marxists?
Ruling-class interests which prevents it from being used to change the system to socialism
Why do Marxists claim that sociology is being bought?
They point to the amount of funding for sociological research which comes from the state and from industry
What do liberal feminists believe about sociological research and analysis?
It has influence governments and had beneficial results for women’s lives
How do radical feminists criticise liberal feminist sociology?
It can’t make much difference to the lives of women because society is inherently patriarchal
What do socialist feminists claim?
That social policy oppresses women in particular and it undervalues women’s labour and assumes they will bear a dual burden of work and housework
What do socialist feminists propose?
Changes to social policy based on their own research and ideology
Why does governments seeking to implement social policy that’s popular with the electorate a constraining factor?
It’s argued that policies which aren’t clear vote-winners don’t get implemented
Why might some groups in society be marginalised?
Because they don’t vote in large numbers and even if sociology focuses on these groups, they may still find themselves neglected if they don’t have electoral power
Why must governments consider the financial implications of any policies they introduce?
If a policy is too expensive, then social research won’t happen no matter how persuasive the research behind it is
What are sociological problems?
Issues that need explaining, even if they don’t have negative consequences
How does Worsley define social problems?
Issues that cause ‘friction’ or ‘misery’ and need solving
