Difference Between Positivistm And Antipositivism

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Many sociologist come to a disagreement and different approaches to the Sociological concept of positivism and antipositivism. Positivism is the scientific study of social patterns. This pertains to the use of scientific methods to get a more clear understanding of the natural world. Auguste Comte was the founder of this concept. Comte believed the way that society interacts with individuals using positivism would usher in a new “positivist” age of history. Comte concept of positivism is still relevant today. Since then positivism has been expanded and became the foundation for quantitative sociology. Quantitative sociology is the use of empirical evidence to gain an understanding of human patterns and behavior. For example, surveys with a large amount of participants, and other statistical techniques are used in Quantitative sociology according to “Introduction to society”.

Other sociologist such as Emile Durkheim have developed different notions of positivism. Durkheim believed that objective “social facts” (poggi 2000) was useful information that sociologist could study upon, unlike the sociologist who …show more content…

Mead’s work consisted of how the mind and self were developed as a result of social process. (cronk n.d) Mead believed that an individual identity was influenced by interactions in society. For example, particular individuals may have influenced a person 's life this is called “significant others”. He also created “generalized others”, structured and common attitude of social groups according to “Introduction of sociology”. To summarize, Mead’s concepts focuses on symbolic interactionism which is the study of social behavior that uses linguistic or gestural communication in a subjective understanding while focusing on micro level

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