Topic Theory/sociologist Key findings
Classical Early positivists Comte and Durkheim believed that the role of sociology was the discover scientific certainties as to what is best for
sociologists and society. Should be value free and based of objectivity. They shared the Enlightenment modernist view on the role of
values sociology that science can be used to discover the truth because when equipped with knowledge, social problems
could be solved and human life improved. Objective & current society.
Marx Historical materialism could reveal the line of development in human society – society has evolved through a
series of different class based societies. Believed that social and political developments are largely determined by
economic conditions and economic laws. A scientific approach of empiricism (observation/experimenting) and
standardisation can be used to predict social outcomes. For example, Marx gave a scientific account on why
capitalism goes through periods of economic collapse. Role of sociology to reveal the truth about class based
society and abolish it – revealing the value of a communist society. Objective & communism.
Weber Distinguishes between facts (objective statement about something that can be logically proven) and values
(subjective statement that cannot be logically proven). He believes that values and beliefs are subjective
guidelines on what sociologists should study (personal beliefs), but they can be collected and analysed objectively
using quantitative data. Weber argues that explicit demonstration of the sociologists values is essential within the
research process. It enables others to have an understanding of what theoretical position the sociologist started
from. We would then be able to question whether that data interpreted would be objective and biased.
4 stages of research: (1) Sociologists values influence their choices of research (2) BUT values should be kept out of
data collection, (3) values should be kept out of interpretation of data/values declared, (4) sociologist is a citizen
with moral responsibility to the wellbeing of others.
Value freedom Modern positivists 1. Positivists the 1950s rejected any type of values influencing their research. In the 1950s sociologists wanted to be
and seen as respectable and thus mimicked the natural sciences in order to cultivate their high prestige in society.
commitment 2. Gouldner criticises these 1950s modern positivists as being sociologists who ended up being researchers for hire
from governments. In order to guarantee state funding sociologists did not criticise their paymasters = ulterior
motive and made research inherently biased. Also, conformity due to the influence of the Cold War as social
scientists that offered criticism of western society were considered to be ‘communists’. BUT Weber would be
critical as sociologists have a moral responsibility for the effects of their work.
Committed Gouldner says that keeping values out of research is impossible and undesirable. This is impossible because either
sociology the sociologists own values are bound to be reflected in their own research and undesirable, because without
values, they would end up selling their research to be ‘highest bidder’. Myrdal - sociologists should openly ‘take
sides’ by espousing the values and interests of particular individuals or groups.
Beck - sociologists should take the take of the underdogs, the powerless against the powerful = can reveal a
previously hidden social reality. Goffman - to describe the situation of the mental patient we have to take their
side against the psychiatrist. BUT Gouldner - sociologists shouldn’t romanticise underdogs, instead they should
support activists trying to change society.
Classical Early positivists Comte and Durkheim believed that the role of sociology was the discover scientific certainties as to what is best for
sociologists and society. Should be value free and based of objectivity. They shared the Enlightenment modernist view on the role of
values sociology that science can be used to discover the truth because when equipped with knowledge, social problems
could be solved and human life improved. Objective & current society.
Marx Historical materialism could reveal the line of development in human society – society has evolved through a
series of different class based societies. Believed that social and political developments are largely determined by
economic conditions and economic laws. A scientific approach of empiricism (observation/experimenting) and
standardisation can be used to predict social outcomes. For example, Marx gave a scientific account on why
capitalism goes through periods of economic collapse. Role of sociology to reveal the truth about class based
society and abolish it – revealing the value of a communist society. Objective & communism.
Weber Distinguishes between facts (objective statement about something that can be logically proven) and values
(subjective statement that cannot be logically proven). He believes that values and beliefs are subjective
guidelines on what sociologists should study (personal beliefs), but they can be collected and analysed objectively
using quantitative data. Weber argues that explicit demonstration of the sociologists values is essential within the
research process. It enables others to have an understanding of what theoretical position the sociologist started
from. We would then be able to question whether that data interpreted would be objective and biased.
4 stages of research: (1) Sociologists values influence their choices of research (2) BUT values should be kept out of
data collection, (3) values should be kept out of interpretation of data/values declared, (4) sociologist is a citizen
with moral responsibility to the wellbeing of others.
Value freedom Modern positivists 1. Positivists the 1950s rejected any type of values influencing their research. In the 1950s sociologists wanted to be
and seen as respectable and thus mimicked the natural sciences in order to cultivate their high prestige in society.
commitment 2. Gouldner criticises these 1950s modern positivists as being sociologists who ended up being researchers for hire
from governments. In order to guarantee state funding sociologists did not criticise their paymasters = ulterior
motive and made research inherently biased. Also, conformity due to the influence of the Cold War as social
scientists that offered criticism of western society were considered to be ‘communists’. BUT Weber would be
critical as sociologists have a moral responsibility for the effects of their work.
Committed Gouldner says that keeping values out of research is impossible and undesirable. This is impossible because either
sociology the sociologists own values are bound to be reflected in their own research and undesirable, because without
values, they would end up selling their research to be ‘highest bidder’. Myrdal - sociologists should openly ‘take
sides’ by espousing the values and interests of particular individuals or groups.
Beck - sociologists should take the take of the underdogs, the powerless against the powerful = can reveal a
previously hidden social reality. Goffman - to describe the situation of the mental patient we have to take their
side against the psychiatrist. BUT Gouldner - sociologists shouldn’t romanticise underdogs, instead they should
support activists trying to change society.
