How to make the General Frameworks of Social Research
Which paradigm will help you establish a clear point of view?
What the difference between conservatives and liberals? In my eyes, it is the differences in the point of view they see similar topics. They both can look at the same topic and explain it differently because of their perceptive. These perceptive are conceptualized as theories in the social research. Theories help those doing social research like myself “organize our observations and make sense of them” (Babbie, 1995). To find meaning in data we can look through the lens of one or more if the following paradigms that characterize various theories:
Early Positivism. Early Positivism is the outlook that one can study society in a scientific method. This way of thinking was coined by French philosopher Auguste Comte. Comte wanted to “replace religious beliefs with scientific objectivity” in the hopes that society could be understood logically and rationally. (Babbie, 1995.)
Social Darwinism. Social Darwinism was point of view made popular by English philosopher Herbert Spencer. Based off of Charles Darwin’s idea of natural selection, Spence applied that notion to progress of human evolution. He felt that the system of free competition put in place by the development of industrial capitalism would ensure the progress and improvement of mankind in society.
Conflict Theory. Conflict theory is based off of Karl Marx interest in “restructuring economic relations to end” oppression (Babbie, 1995). This perspective focuses upon the struggles between social classes produced by capitalism and the “attempts to dominate social classes to avoid being dominated” (Babbie, 1995).
Symbolic Interactionism. Symbolic interactionism was first introduced by German sociologists Georg Simmel, due to his interest in individual interactions. This idea was later taken up by George Herbert Mead to emphasize communication in human transactions and human ability to “take the role of the other”(Babbie, 1995).
Role Theory. Role Theory pay special attention to role expectations and role conflict in society. American anthropologist, Ralph Linton, came upon this outlook in his contrast between status and role.
Ethnomethodology. Ethnomethodology was founded by sociologist Harold Garfinkel. It concentrates its focus upon how social structures influence human actions and interaction. One technique that this idea require is to break social rules to violate people expectation. This will reveal the norms of a social structure.
Structural Functionalism. Structural Functionalism grew “out of a notion introduced by Comte and Spencer: that a social entity, such as an organization or a whole society, can be viewed as an organism” (Babbie, 1995). Implying that this idea examines society as a whole but within parts. Each part function individuality to contribute to the whole of society.
Feminist Theory. The Feminist theory represents gender differences in social settings. This perspective grew out of questioning the masculine tone of voice often applied by male researchers that did not indicate the differences in the social experiences of male and female. This idea looks into the discrimination against those who are not of male gender.
Critical Race Theory. The critical race theory examines “race awareness” within racial justice and social environments (Babbie, 2007). This focus upon race became essential during the mid-1970s during the civil right movement. Civil right activist employed this point of view to change national and state laws that would empower minority races.
Exchange Theory. Founded by social scientist George Homans, the exchange theory examines human behavior through the cost and benefits of decisions. This “approaches social relations from a fundamentally psychological starting point, grounded in how individuals see things, how they reason, and how they draw conclusions” (Babbie, 1995).
Post-Positivism. Post-Positivism challenges the notion of Early-Positivism. Its questions whether human behavior can be irrational and accuses scientist of making irrational claims and observations based upon their feelings. Early-Positivism ignores cultural patterns that may influence decision making.
To see one of these paradigm in action check out the book The Spectral Wound. In the ethnography, The Spectral Wounds, it is clear to see that the author has applied the feminist theory to create understanding of the rape of women during the Bangladesh War of 1971. Due to the shock of not discovering any history of rape in the metanarrative of the war, the author assembled public memories of wartime rape to give voice to the suffering of raped women. In the book, the author seeks to answer questions such as, “What is the relationship between this public memory and the experiences of women who were raped in 1971?” The author is seeking the women experience of war through the eyes of its raped victims.
During the beginning phases of research, I found it easier for me to establish the frameworks of my research by first choosing a paradigm. After previewing the topic of gentrification, I decided that conflict theory would best help me examine my gather information. I believe conflict theory will best explain the struggle of survival for low-income neighborhood against the takeover of wealthy organizations and people. After reviewing the list above, I think I may also apply the critical race theory to describe some of the racial intension I come across in my data.
