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PARADIGMS
We have suggested that another way to classify types of sociological
inquiry is by use of the "paradigm" concept.
A PARADIGM is the fundamental conceptual level at which we
operate in scientific inquiry. Popularized by the work of Kuhn
(1970), the simplest definition is Ritzer's (1975: 147):
. . . a fundamental image of the subject matter within a
science. It serves to define what should be studied, what
questions should be asked, and how they should be asked, and
what rules should be followed in interpreting the answer
obtained. The paradigm is the broadest unit of consensus
within a science and serves to differentiate one scientific
community or subcommunity from another. It subsumes,
defines, inter-relates the exemplars, theories, methods and
instruments that exist within it.
The paradigm concept allows us to avoid the interfaces of logical
adherence and deductive consistency which the terms "theory,"
"model," or "perspective" convey, yet provides a sense of
epistemological structure which guides inquiry by allowing for
and identification of the background assumptions and ontological
presuppositions underlying research (Alford, 1975: 145).
We can classify paradigms in the social sciences in several ways.
One way is by the following taxonomy:
A. SOCIAL FACTIST: This is most commonly associated with
positivism and other approaches which focus on objects as
existing independently from the perceiving subject, and in the
social sciences pose as primary concepts "things" such as norms,
values, or roles. Also often associated with conflict theory,
systems theory. Tends to look for "causes," "correlations," and
tests pre-defined hypotheses. Nomothethic-deductive and
statistical analyses are the most common data manipulation
technique.
B. SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIONIST: People ACT UPON their social world
and give "what's out there" its meaning. This paradigm addresses
how the subjective reconstruction of the social world occurs
through negotiation or meaning-acquisition processes. This
paradigm is often associated with interpretive/qualitative (and
Verstehen) approaches, such as symbolic interaction,
phenomenology, and semiotics. Tends toward ideographic analysis
and "grounded theory."
C. RADICAL ANALYSES: These are often (but hardly always)
marxian-informed and feature such concepts as "class struggle"
and "dialectical process," (marxians), "patriarchy" (feminist
theory), or cultural critical (Frankfurt School/Critical Theory).
D. POSTMODERNISM: (We will discuss this in a few weeks and ask
if it's actually a paradigm).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alford, Robert R. 1975. "Paradigms of Relations Between State and
Society." Pp 145-159 in L.N. Lindberg, R. Alford, C. Crouch and C. Offe
(eds.), Stress and Contradiction in Modern Capitalism. Lexington (Mass.):
Lexington Books.
Kuhn, Thomas S. 1970. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.
Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Ritzer, George. 1975. Sociology: A Multiple Paradigm Science. Boston:
Allyn and Bacon.
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