The process by which we learn about the world. Social Theory is more than just common sense as it draws on data which is rigorous, validated byacademic debate,statistics and is evidence based.
1 of 16
Sociology.
Demonstrates the need to take a broad view. What we think is inevitable, natural, true or things we take for granted may be influenced by other factors such as historical events, culture, beliefs, values and social processes.
2 of 16
What is sociology?
The study of groups, individuals and organisations within society, making cultural comparisons and looking at differences over time. Focuses on why rather than how.
3 of 16
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804).
'Have courage to use your own understanding'-the motto of the enlightenment. A rational and scientific approach to religious, social, political and economic issues. Promoted a secular (non-religious) view of the world and general sense of progress.
4 of 16
Auguste Comte (1798-1857).
Created the science of sociology which grew from a belief in the power of human-kind to comprehend and resolve social issues.
5 of 16
Comte cont.
Sorted human efforts to undertsnad the world in three phases: The Theological (Medieval Europe), The Metaphysical (The rennaissance) and The Scientific (the Enlightenment).
6 of 16
Schutt.
'The goal of social research is to achieve valid understandign of the social world by coming to conclusions that the rest on valid measures and valid casual assertions and that are generalizable to the population.'
7 of 16
Philosophy.
We hold philosophical assumptions about the nature of reality and what we can know about it.
8 of 16
Paradigms.
Underpinning perspectives which inform ideas about appropriate research strategies based on philosophical understandings.
9 of 16
Methods.
Research strategies and the kind of research we carry out.
10 of 16
Positivist Paradigm (Neuman 1997:63).
Positivist research involves '...precise empirical observations of individual behaviour in order to discover... probabilistic casual laws that can be used to predict general patterns of human activity'.
11 of 16
Interpretive Paradigm (Neuman 1997:68).
Research should explore '...socially meaningful action through the direct detailed observation of people in natural settings in order to arrive at understandings and interpretations of how people create and maintain their social worlds'.
12 of 16
Interpretivist.
How people make sense, many social realities, contextualised, common sense, rich contextual descriptions, subjectivity.
13 of 16
Positivist.
Universal laws, fixed social reality exists, behaviour is rational and predictable, uncovering 'truth', privilege empirical knowledge, objectivity.
14 of 16
Quantitive,
Data and description is presented in numerical form which is then statistically analysed.
15 of 16
Qualitative.
Not based on 'precise measurement' but narratives. Focuses on accounts of individuals experiences and the meanings these have for them which are then analysed theoretically.
16 of 16
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Sociology.
Back
Demonstrates the need to take a broad view. What we think is inevitable, natural, true or things we take for granted may be influenced by other factors such as historical events, culture, beliefs, values and social processes.
Comments
No comments have yet been made