Topic 1 Is Sociology A Science

Question 1

What perspective thinks sociology is a science? Which one thinks it’s not?

Answer 1

Positivists

Interpretivists

Question 2

Who (theorists) (1 perspective) believes sociology isn’t a science but could be?

Answer 2

Popper, Kuhn, Realists

Question 3

Give a positivist theorist who thinks sociology is a science. What does he say?

Answer 3

Comte sociology should use experimental methods used in natural science as the model for research.

Question 4

Why do feminists take an interpretivists approach to sociology?

Answer 4

Women can’t be studied scientifically as they are not objects and they require verstehen

Question 5

Why does Popper believe sociology is not a science?

Answer 5

Sociology can’t be falsified. All perspectives have counter arguments for every argument. They can’t be disproved.

Question 6

How does Popper say sociology could be science.

Answer 6

We must attempt to falsify theories instead of verifying them

Question 7

Why is sociology not yet a science, according to Kuhn.

Answer 7

Science operates on an agreed upon paradigm that can shift with enough evidence.

Sociology isn’t a science as it doesn’t operate on one agreed upon paradigm yet.

Question 8

Why do realists believe sociology is not completely a science?

Answer 8

Sociology operates in a primarily open system of study, so not all variables can be controlled. Thus, it may be unscientific, although some aspects can be studied in a closed system.

Question 9

What do postmodernists think about the question ‘is sociology a science?’ (Theorist)

Answer 9

Foucault says the question doesn’t matter as all perspectives are meta narratives. No objective reality exists in postmodern society.

Question 10

What are Meta-narratives?

Answer 10

Another story of the truth that people choose to believe