Theories and Philosophies for
Social Research
Schutt
Chapter 2
Theoretical Perspectives in Social
Science
• Theory:
• A logically interrelated set of propositions Goal:
to make sense of/ explain social phenomena.
• Provides a network of explanation
• Types:
• 1.Functionalism
• 2. Conflict Theory
• 3. Symbolic Interactionism
1. Functionalism
• A social theory that explains social
patterns in terms of their consequences for
society as a whole
• Emphasizes the interdependence of social
institutions
• Interest in maintaining social order
• Example: education socializing students to
decrease ethnic tensions
Functional Theorist
• Durkheim
• Organic solidarity—
• Division of labor created new form of
solidarity and interdependence
• that strengthened social bonds
• No fundamental conflict between individual
interests and social interests—
• Part of organic whole
2. Conflict Theory
• Identifies conflict between social groups as
the primary force in society.
• Understanding the bases and
consequences of conflict is the key to
understanding social processes.
• Example: Competition over scarce
resources is catalyst of antagonistic ethnic
conflicts,
• Relation of migrants to unemployment.
Conflict Theorists
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Karl Marx—struggle for equality is focus
C Wright Mills
Sociology—stratification emphasis
explains different access to resources—
inequality as source of conflict
Key:Contradiction in social class interests
Realistic Conflict theory—
competition over scarce resources
3. Symbolic Interactionism
• Focus on the symbolic nature of social
interaction—how social interaction
conveys meaning and promotes
socialization.
• Self understood in interaction with others.
Symbolic interactionist Theorists
• George Herbert Mead
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understands individuals’ conceptions of
themselves and of others as the result of social
interaction and emmphasizes the way in which
“meanings’ are constructed.
• Example: understanding the Buna-socializing
over coffee by Muslim women from East Africa.
• Or a study of “quincianera” celebrations-Mexican
American society
Using Social Theory
• 1. Relationship betw Research and Theory
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middle range aspect
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multiple approaches
• 2. Paradigms and paradigm shift
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Set of beliefs that guide sci. research
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assumptions, theories-unquestioned
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change—affects prevailing beliefs
Social Research Philosophies
• 1. Positivism/Postpositivism
• 2. Interpretivist
1.Positivist/postpositivisr
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Positivist--Objective reality exists
Apart from the perceptions of those who
observe
Goal of science is to better understand
this reality
Postpositivist—belief in an obj. reality
Recognizes complexity and bias of researchers
goal: achieve inter subjective agreement—
agreement among scientists about nature of reality
Positivist/Post positivist
Research Guidelines
• 1. Test ideas without being too personally
invested in the outcome
• 2. Plan and carryout investigations
systematically
• 3. Document all procedures and disclose
them publicly
• 4. Clarify assumptions
• 5. Specify the meaning of all terms
Cont.
• 6. Maintain a skeptical stance toward
current knowledge
• 7. Replicate research and build social
theory
• 8. Search for regularities or patterns
Positivist research goal
• Advance scientific knowledge
• Argues that values are beyond the scope
of science.
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Post-positivist analysis
• However— value neutral not a reality
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values are part of theories/paradigms
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always a part of research
2. Interpretivism and
Constructivism
• Interpretivist philosophy
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social reality is socially constructed
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goal: understand what meanings people
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give to reality—not to understand
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reality apart from these meanings
• Constructivist paradigm
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how different participants in soc setting
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construct their beliefs
Research guidelines and goals
• Guidelines:
• 1. Identify participants and solicit issues
• 2. Solicit feedback—agree and disagree
• Goal: Creating change
• Whyte—Participatory action research
• researcher collaborates with participants
• identified goals for change
• Integrated Philosophy-statistical vs interpr