Topic 4:objectivity and values in sociology

Question 1

According to the early positivists’ modernist view, what was the job of sociology? What benefit would this bring?

Answer 1

comte and Durkheim- sociology job was to disocover the truth about how society works, uncovering the laws that govern its proper functioning.
By doing this social problems could be solved and human life improved

Question 2

In what way was the role of sociologists crucial?

Answer 2

by discovering the truth about how society worked, sociologists would be able to say objectively and with scientific certainty what was really best for society- they would be able to prescribe how things would be

Question 3

how did Comte regard sociology

Answer 3

“queen of sciences” and saw sociologists as latter day priests

Question 4

Briefly explain in what way Marx’s views are similar to those of Comte and Durkheim.

Answer 4

the role of marx’s sociology was to reveal the truth of the line of development of human society, expecially proletariat since they would be the class to overthrow capitalism and create the birth of a communist society.

in this he is similar to comte and Durkheim, in that he sees science as helping to ‘deliver’ the good society

Question 5

Using an example, explain the distinction made by Weber between value judgements and facts.

Answer 5

made a distinction between facts and values eg research shows divorces more likely to commit suicide, lead us to value of making divorce harder - nothing compels us to understand this

Question 6

Briefly explain Weber’s views on the role of values in the following stages of the research
process:
a. Values as a guide to research

Answer 6

took idea from phenomenology that society has infinite facts, research pick value relevance eg feminism and gender equality

Question 7

Briefly explain Weber’s views on the role of values in the following stages of the research
process:
Data collection and hypothesis testing

Answer 7

must be objective and unbiased as possible when collecting facts, keeping values out of the process eg not asking leading questions

Question 8

Briefly explain Weber’s views on the role of values in the following stages of the research
process:

Values in the interpretation of data

Answer 8

must be explicit with values so that others can see if unconscious bias is present in our interpretation of our data

Question 9

Briefly explain Weber’s views on the role of values in the following stages of the research
process:
Values and the sociologist as a citizen

Answer 9

must not dodge politics and moral issue eg Einstein speaking out about nuclear weapons

Question 10

What is meant by ‘committed sociology’?

Answer 10

in which the sociologist spells out the importance of their values of their research

Question 11

Briefly explain why modern positivists say research should be morally neutral.

Answer 11

science is concerned with fact, not value. for this reason it should be morally neutral. Their job is simply to establish the truth about peoples behaviour and not judge

Question 12

what do modern positivists argue

Answer 12

argue their own values were irrelevant to research because:
1, sociologists should remain morally neutral, establish the truth and not judge it
2. Gouldner - leaving own values behind to please the paymasters - not taking on moral responsibilities like weber suggested

Question 13

Briefly outline Myrdal’s views on values in research.

Answer 13

argues that sociologists should openly take sides by supporting the values and interests of particular individuals or groups
value free sociology both impossible and undesirable, due to pay masters being reflected in their work

Question 14

According to Gouldner, why is value-free sociology:

Impossible

Answer 14

because either the sociologists owns values, or those of their paymasters, are bound to be reflected in their work

Question 15

According to Gouldner, why is value-free sociology:

Undesirable

Answer 15

since without values to guide research, sociologists are merely selling their services to the highest bidder

Question 16

According to Becker, whose side do positivists and functionalists take?

Answer 16

powerful groups - police, psychiatrists so on

Question 17

According to Becker, why should sociologists take the side of the underdog?

Answer 17

this partly because less is known about these groups and their story needs to be told in order to redress the balance.
by identifying with them we can reveal a previously hidden side of social reality

Question 18

Briefly outline Goffman’s example of how we should study mental patients. How does this illustrate Becker’s views?

Answer 18

we have to take their side. We have to be biased in favour of the patient and against the psychiatrist
this illustrates Becker view of taking the side of the underdog

Question 19

Briefly explain why interactionists favour qualitative methods of research.

Answer 19

such as participant observation as they reveal the meaning of these ‘outsiders’

Question 20

Briefly explain Gouldner’s criticism of Becker.

Answer 20

for taking a romantic and sentimental approach to disadvantaged groups. accuses beck of only being concerned only with those who are ‘on their backs’ eg the misunderstood and negatively labelled of deviant behaviour

Question 21

According to Gouldner, what should sociology be committed to doing?

Answer 21

should be committed to ending their oppression by unmasking the ways in which the powerful maintain their position

Question 22

Briefly explain why sociologists’ work is likely to embody the values and interests of those who fund it.

Answer 22

because most sociologists research is funded by someone other than sociologists themselves. eg sources include government departments. Often those who pay the research control the direction it takes. for this reason it is likely to embody the values and interests of their paymasters

Question 23

Briefly outline the values and assumptions of the following perspectives
Feminism

Answer 23

sees society as based on gender inequality and promotes rights of women

Question 24

Briefly outline the values and assumptions of the following perspectives
Functionalism

Answer 24

sees society as harmonious and promotes conservative values that favour the status quo

Question 25

Briefly outline the values and assumptions of the following perspectives
Marxism

Answer 25

see society as filled with conflict and strives for a classless society

Question 26

what is the link between values and method

Answer 26

both interactionists and functionalists can be accused of selecting methods that produce facts that reflect their values and outlook. eg interactionists refer qualitative methods as it fits with their desire no emphasises with the under dog as this method gives actors meaning

Question 27

Briefly outline the two arguments of relativism.

Answer 27

• different groups/individual’s have different views as to what is true
• there is no independent way of judging way of judging whether any view is truer than any other

Question 28

Briefly explain how relativism views truth.

Answer 28

there is not absolute or objective truth- just truths plural. what you believe is true is true for you

Question 29

According to postmodernists, why does no perspective have any special claim to be true?

Answer 29

there are no ‘privileged accounts’ that have special access to the truth. Any perspective that that claims to have the truth is just a meta narrative/big story

all knowledge for which ever perspective is based on values and assumptions and thus no perspective has any special claim to be true

Question 30

Briefly explain why relativism is self-defeating.

Answer 30

since it claims to be telling us something true, while simultaneously telling us that no one can tell us what is true