Theory and Methods Topic 3
Questions answered below:
Outline and explain two reasons why some people argue that sociology cannot be a science
(10 marks)
Evaluate the claim that whether sociology can be a science depends on what we mean by
science in the first place. (20 marks)
Teaser:
Outline and explain two reasons why some people argue that sociology cannot be a science
(10 marks)
Interpretivism is the view that sociology is not a science. Interpretivists argue that, because
humans think and reflect, scientific methods are inappropriate as they do not allow us to truly
understand and dig beneath the surface of behaviours and actions.
Unlike objects, which can be analysed using scientific methods, Interpretivists argue that
human beings change their behaviour if they know they are being observed, called the
Hawthorne Effect, therefore if we want to understand social action, we must delve into
meanings using qualitative, unscientific methods. Interpretivists are subjective, meaning
science is not appropriate for sociology in their opinion as it gives objective results and data.
Interpretivists argue that the purpose of sociology is to understand human behaviour, no
quantify it using scientific methods, therefore it cannot possibly be a science.
Another reason sociology cannot be considered a science to postmodernist’s is because
they regard natural science as a meta-narrative.
They argue that science claims dominance over the truth, however it is just one more big
story and its accounts of the world are more valid …
Outline and explain two reasons why some people argue that sociology cannot be a science
(10 marks)
Questions answered below:
Outline and explain two reasons why some people argue that sociology cannot be a science
(10 marks)
Evaluate the claim that whether sociology can be a science depends on what we mean by
science in the first place. (20 marks)
Teaser:
Outline and explain two reasons why some people argue that sociology cannot be a science
(10 marks)
Interpretivism is the view that sociology is not a science. Interpretivists argue that, because
humans think and reflect, scientific methods are inappropriate as they do not allow us to truly
understand and dig beneath the surface of behaviours and actions.
Unlike objects, which can be analysed using scientific methods, Interpretivists argue that
human beings change their behaviour if they know they are being observed, called the
Hawthorne Effect, therefore if we want to understand social action, we must delve into
meanings using qualitative, unscientific methods. Interpretivists are subjective, meaning
science is not appropriate for sociology in their opinion as it gives objective results and data.
Interpretivists argue that the purpose of sociology is to understand human behaviour, no
quantify it using scientific methods, therefore it cannot possibly be a science.
Another reason sociology cannot be considered a science to postmodernist’s is because
they regard natural science as a meta-narrative.
They argue that science claims dominance over the truth, however it is just one more big
story and its accounts of the world are more valid …
Outline and explain two reasons why some people argue that sociology cannot be a science
(10 marks)
