Is sociology a science?

Why does Durkheim (functionalist) think that sociology is a science?

He believes in verificationism- the idea that “social fact” (societal patterns) can be used to determine “general law” (social policy) and that we must gather methodical data to determine this.

(e.g. his study on suicide motives was conducted with the aim of turning sociology into a respected science).

How do interactionists Glaser and Strauss evaluate the scientific positivist approach?

They argue that applying a hypothesis to social studies imbues it with researcher values AKA bias. Instead, we should seek “casual explanations”

How does Phenomenologist/Ethnomethodologist Garfinkel evaluate the interactionist approach?

Casual explanations do not work as they are too objective. Rather, as society is a construct of our minds it must be studied interpretively

POSITIVISTS V. INTERPRETIVISTS: Who believes what?

POSITIVISTS:
They believe that sociology is a science that should be approached methodically and objectively

INTERPRETIVISTS:
They believe that sociology is not a science as society is far too subjective in nature to study using the scientific method

What idea does Popper believe about scientific/sociological theory?

Falsification- the idea that all currently accepted theories merely have yet to be proven wrong

What does Popper call Marxism and why?

“Irrefutable pseudo-science”- he sees their prophecy of an inevitable proletariat revolution as like the religious belief in the rapture, it cannot be proven nor disproven and is therefore a bad theory.

What 2 sociologists evaluate Popper’s ideas?

FEYERABEND: The idea of the scientific method is socially constructed

KAPLAN: Scientists can make up data to suit their own interests (e.g. the MMR fella)