AQA A-Level Sociology: Interpretivism Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key concepts, methods, and theories associated with Interpretivism in AQA A-Level Sociology.

Interpretivism

A sociological approach that focuses on understanding the meanings individuals attach to their actions.

Interpretivists

They believe society is socially constructed through human interaction and meanings.

Verstehen

A concept by Max Weber meaning empathetic understanding of people’s actions and motives.

Qualitative Methods

Methods such as interviews and participant observation preferred by Interpretivists.

Validity

A value sought by Interpretivists because they want deep insights into real experiences and meanings.

Unstructured Interviews

Interviews that allow participants to explain their views in detail.

Participant Observation

A method that helps researchers understand behaviour from the participant’s perspective.

Subjective Meanings

Personal meanings and interpretations individuals give to situations.

Micro Sociology

A scale of sociology where interpretivism focuses on small-scale interactions and everyday life.

Positivism vs Interpretivism

Interpretivists focus on meanings and qualitative data, while positivists focus on facts and quantitative data.

Social Action Theory

A theory linked to interpretivism that studies the meanings behind human actions.

Symbolic Interactionism

An interpretivist approach studying how people create meaning through interaction.

Labelling Theory

A theory that examines how labels affect identity and behaviour.

Reliability Criticism

A critique stating that qualitative methods are difficult to repeat exactly.

Small Samples

Often used by Interpretivists to gain detailed information.

Human Behaviour (Interpretivist View)

Interpretivists believe human behaviour is too complex to study scientifically.

Empathy

The aim of researchers to see the world through the participant’s eyes.

Flexibility

The ability of researchers to adapt questions and observations during research.

Criticism from Positivists

Positivists argue interpretivist research lacks reliability and representativeness.