Objectivity & Values

What is objectivity?

Knowledge that is the same regardless of personal viewpoint, based on facts that can be verified or falsified and is free from bias.

What is subjective knowledge?

Knowledge that depends on an individual's point of view and requires personal interpretation.

What is value-free sociology?

The idea that sociologists should keep their personal values, beliefs and opinions out of their research.

Why do some sociologists argue that sociology cannot be value-free?

Sociologists are humans studying other humans, so their values and opinions can influence their research.

What did early positivists believe sociology should do?

Discover the truth about how society works and use scientific knowledge to improve human life.

Which early sociologists were associated with positivism?

Auguste Comte and Emile Durkheim.

What did Karl Marx believe about sociology?

He saw himself as a scientist and believed he had discovered the truth about society and the inevitable development of a classless society.

What was Max Weber's view of values in sociology?

Values are important in choosing research topics and interpreting findings, but sociologists should try to remain objective when collecting data.

What is the difference between a value judgement and a fact according to Weber?

A fact can be supported by evidence, while a value judgement is a personal opinion that cannot be proved or disproved by facts.

How can values influence research according to Weber?

They can guide the choice of research topic because sociologists are more likely to study issues they consider important.

How should sociologists collect data according to Weber?

They should be as objective and value-free as possible when collecting data.

How do values influence interpretation according to Weber?

Sociologists need a theoretical framework to interpret facts and should make their own values explicit when doing so.

What did Weber say about sociologists as citizens?

They cannot avoid moral issues completely and may have a responsibility to use their findings to address social problems.

What can sociology tell us about values according to Weber?

It cannot tell us which values or goals people should hold, but it can show what means may achieve certain goals and the consequences of holding certain values.

What did Howard Becker argue about values?

Values are unavoidable in sociology because social meanings reflect people's values and sociologists cannot completely avoid taking sides.

What did Becker argue sociologists should do about their values?

They should acknowledge their biases and make their values clear rather than making false claims of complete objectivity.

Why did Becker argue sociologists should not pretend to be completely objective?

Everyone has their own viewpoint, so researchers should be open about their values and allow their research to be scrutinised.

What criticism did Alvin Gouldner make of Becker?

He argued Becker acts like a "peeping tom" who studies underdogs without actually helping them.

What did Gouldner argue about functionalism?

Functionalism presents itself as politically neutral but generally supports the status quo.

What did Gouldner believe sociology should do?

Use radical values to focus on changing society and enable less powerful groups to challenge those in power.

Why might taking sides create problems for sociology?

It could damage sociology's ability to receive funding, support and recognition from wider society.

Who usually funds sociological research?

Governments, businesses and charities are major sources of research funding.

How can funding influence sociological research?

Those who fund research can influence its direction, the questions asked and potentially whether findings are published.

How can funding affect sociologists' careers?

Sociologists may avoid research that could harm their careers or choose topics that are more likely to receive funding and recognition.

How do sociologists' values influence their research topics?

Different perspectives focus on different issues, such as Marxists focusing on capitalism and poverty, feminists on patriarchy and gender inequality, and functionalists on social cohesion.

How can values influence research methods?

Sociologists may choose methods that fit their values and research interests, such as Becker using qualitative methods to understand underdogs' experiences.

What is relativism?

The idea that different groups have different views of what is true, based on their values and interests, with no objective way to prove one view is more true than another.

How does relativism challenge objective sociology?

If all perspectives reflect different values, there may be no way to establish one perspective as objectively true.

What do postmodernists argue about truth?

Truth is relative and subjective, with no single perspective being absolutely true.

What did Michel Foucault argue about truth?

There are no certain objective criteria for deciding what is absolutely true, and claims about truth can reflect the power of those who define knowledge.

What is the democratization of truth?

The idea that everyone can have their own version of truth rather than one authoritative version being imposed on everyone.

What is a meta-narrative?

An overarching theory or explanation that claims to provide a general account of society or reality.

Why can power be important in defining knowledge?

Powerful groups may have greater ability to decide which ideas and forms of knowledge are accepted as true.