SOC 2070 Chapter 2: positivist theories

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 2070
• Professor: Norman Dubeski

Document Summary

There are 2 distinct but interlocking enterprises that make up the study of deviance: essentialism: objectivity, real, scientifically explainable, constructionism: rules, judgements, labelling, contexts, audiences. All positivists believe than an objective common core or threads hold all deviance and crime together- none believe that they are just a matter of social convention or construction. Positivism is the application of scientific method to the study of human behavior. 3 assumptions: empiricism: material world is real and science can know the world through the senses. Ex. mental illnesses are not present just because we say there are or because of how they can be defined. What are the patterns> y seeks natural explanations that can be found in the material world y. A suitable target and c. the absence of a capable guardian y ex. if students writing a test had no one watching over them, they would be much more likely to cheat.