Science, Sociology, and Common Sense

1. Science, Sociology, and Common Sense Ideas from Paul LazarsfeldPublic Opinion Quarterly (1949)

2. Lazarsfeld’s Review of The American Soldier • The American Soldier (1949) was a summary of an extensive program of surveys of soldiers during World War II • Many social scientists were involved • Lazarsfeld’s review: • Considers criticisms • Interprets findings • Concludes that surveys have great value Common Sense Is a Lousy Guide To Truth SOCY1000 Backman

3. Lazarsfeld’s Review of Other People’s Criticisms of The American Soldier • Big criticism • Surveys unnecessary: only find what people with common sense already know • Smaller gripes • Can’t do history • Other stuff Common Sense Is a Lousy Guide To Truth SOCY1000 Backman

4. Lazarsfeld’s Rejoinder to Criticisms • Main response • Science requires empirical observation • Empirical – based on actual observation of the world • Science makes systematic observations • Surveys are tools for empirical observation Common Sense Is a Lousy Guide To Truth SOCY1000 Backman

5. Common Sense and American Soldier Questions • Question topics • Tropical climate • Rigors of Army life • Mental health • Desire to come home • Negro vs white ambition: non-coms Common Sense Is a Lousy Guide To Truth SOCY1000 Backman

6. Common Sense and American Soldier “Findings” • Common sense: • Tropical climate - Southerners • Rigors of Army life – rural background • Mental health – high IQ sicker • Desire to come home – before surrender higher • Non-com ambition – whites more Common Sense Is a Lousy Guide To Truth SOCY1000 Backman

7. OOPS All those “findings” were the opposite of what was found! - Of course, common sense could explain the other results, too Common Sense Is a Lousy Guide To Truth SOCY1000 Backman

8. CONCLUSIONS • Common sense is a poor guide to truth • Science requires systematic empirical observation • Empirical – based on actual observation of the world • Surveys are a form of systematic empirical observation (when properly done) SOCY1000 Backman

9. Backman Addenda to Lazarsfeld • Much of what people think is true is false • Fortunately, we’re right often enough to get by • Often can get by being wrong • Will try to emphasize non-obvious elements in social life • If something in text seems contrary to what you would expect, it has a high chance of being on exams Common Sense Is a Lousy Guide To Truth SOCY1000 Backman

10. Debunking • Sociology sometimes called the Debunking Science • Exposes the bunk (nonsense) in social beliefs SOCY1000 Backman

11. Science Changes • Science is not common sense, but it is not always right • Marx on revolution • Gas giants (planets) and rings • European sociologists and cults • Society changes • What used to be true may not still be • Some of what I say ain’t so • Just don’t know which • Science is self-correcting SOCY1000 Backman

12. Jupiter SOCY1000 Backman

13. Uranus and Neptune SOCY1000 Backman

14. Ethics • Sociologists do research on people • Groups of people cannot be treated like beakers of chemicals • Attempts to manipulate people often no-nos • E.g., how to change people’s religion • Observational research can make people look foolish or criminal SOCY1000 Backman

15. Ethics and Protections for Human Subjects • University research plans must go through Human Subjects review • Could be fox guarding henhouse, but mostly not in my experience • Of course, the Tuskegee study went on for years in front of everyone • Informed consent • Tricky because information may change behavior • Participants in research must be able to opt out • Must stop if people being hurt • Professional association codes of ethics SOCY1000 Backman