SOCIAL RESEARCH ACCORDING TO PAULINE V YOUNG
According to Pauline V. Young, “Social research is a systemic method of
exploring, analyzing and conceptualizing social life in order to extend, correct,
or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in the construction of a
theory or in the practice of an art.”
Pauline V. Young has also said that “social research may be defined as a
scientific undertaking which, by means of logical and systematised techniques
aims to (I) discover new facts or verify and test old facts. (2) analyse their
sequences, interrelationships, and causal explanations (5) develop new
scientific tools, concepts and theories which would facilitate reliable and valid
study of human behaviour”.
SICK ROLE THEORY BY TALCOTT PARSONS
Functionalist sociologist Parsons made the claim that being ill forces a person
to fall into a role of "sanctioned deviance." This is due to the functionalist
viewpoint that a sick person cannot contribute to society in a positive way.
Persistent pain is a common source of illness patterns, which contributes to
the belief that they should not take proactive measures to improve their
condition. As a result, the medical community must police this deviation, which
is their responsibility. In general, Parsons contended that the best sociological
understanding of disease is to see it as a type of deviance that interferes with
society's ability to operate socially.
Rights:
The sick person is exempt from normal social roles
The sick person is not responsible for their condition
Obligations:
The sick person should try to get well
The sick person should seek technically competent help and cooperate with
the medical professional(s)
THE CONCEPT OF GENDER
In modern sociology, the concept of "gender" goes beyond a simple binary
understanding of male and female, and it is recognized as a complex social
construct that encompasses a range of identities, roles, and expectations
associated with being masculine or feminine. Unlike the biological concept of
"sex," which is based on physiological differences between male and female
bodies, gender is considered a social and cultural phenomenon. Contemporary
sociology recognizes the fluidity and diversity of gender experiences. Nonbinary, gender queer, and gender non-conforming identities challenge the
binary understanding of gender, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and
expansive understanding
WHY SOCIOLOGY IS NOT A SCIENCE
The claim that sociology is not a science often stems from several key
arguments, including the unpredictability of human behaviour, the challenge of
maintaining value neutrality, and the subjective nature of interpretation in
social research. Here's an overview:
Unpredictability of Human Behaviour: Unlike natural sciences where
phenomena can often be precisely measured and predicted, human behaviour
is inherently complex and unpredictable. Societies are made up of individuals
with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and motivations, making it difficult to
establish universal laws or principles that reliably predict social phenomena.
Human behaviour can be influenced by numerous factors, including cultural
norms, historical context, and personal beliefs, which adds layers of complexity
to sociological analysis.
Lack of Value Neutrality: Unlike in some natural sciences where researchers
aim to maintain strict objectivity and neutrality, sociology often deals with
topics that are inherently value-laden. Social researchers may hold personal
beliefs, biases, or ideologies that can influence their research questions,
interpretations, and conclusions. This subjectivity can sometimes lead to a lack
of objectivity in sociological studies, as researchers may inadvertently
introduce their own biases into their work.
Subjectivity in Interpretation: In sociology, interpretations of social
phenomena can vary widely depending on the perspective of the researcher.
Different theoretical frameworks and methodologies may yield contrasting
explanations for the same social phenomenon. Unlike in natural sciences
where empirical evidence often leads to clear-cut conclusions, sociological
findings are often open to interpretation and debate. This subjectivity can
make it challenging to establish consensus within the discipline and may
undermine claims of sociology being a "science" in the traditional sense.