Theory of the middle level - it sounds a little strange: one might think that sociologists "descended" to this level from some heights. In historical retrospect, this is what it looks like.
The largest American sociologist Robert King Merton (1910-2003) believed that the search for a universal social theory is meaningless. And such a theory will be consigned to oblivion, like numerous comprehensive philosophical systems of previous eras.
Enemy of universality
"Apocalyptic and irrelevant" Merton called in the 40s of the 20th century all attempts to construct a general sociological theory that could direct researchers into the mainstream of vital problems. Academic philosophers of the 19th century have always claimed to create concepts that fully cover the picture of the world. American sociologists, adherents of one or another philosophical school, understood their task in exactly the same way.
Another path that Merton chose is an attempt by sociologists, not based on any one philosophical doctrine, to acquire new knowledge in much the same way as the natural sciences do. But on this pathScientists have made mistakes. There were "for" and "against", there was a polarization of opinions about the theories of the middle level in sociology.
Theory properties
It is curious that Merton believed that the theories of the middle level do not deny, but develop the classical traditions. Referring to the ideas of Durkheim and Weber, he proposed to put theoretical questions before sociology.
Sociological authorities - Marx, Parsons, Sorokin - remain as some general orientations. Merton does not leave behind their teachings the role of a "single governing" system or concept.
Robert Merton listed the main features of the middle-range theory:
- consisting of a limited number of provisions;
- combine into other vast theoretical systems;
- abstract - work in different areas of social behavior and social structure;
- contain a methodology for studying microsociological and macrosociological processes;
- asking precise questions regarding unknown processes in the social sphere.
Models of "middle-level" sociology
Does empirical research have any theoretical perspective?
Merton's answer: "A fact not assumed in the process of research forces the creation of a theory. The "serendipity" model is that an anomalous event as a by-product of the study can lead to a new hypothesis. The inconsistency of the data spurs curiosity and forces sociologists to put forward new hypotheses."
Robert Merton, who abandoned the constructions of "universal sociology", was fascinated by the creation of new links between empirical developments and theoretical constructions, the very concept of a theory of the middle level. These are theories of reference groups and deviant behavior, social conflict, social mobility. Merton's middle-level sociological theories are just that.
A great merit belongs to the American sociologist in the study of local and cosmopolitan types of "significant" people, the structure of social influence.
Interesting are Merton's observations of film and radio propaganda during World War II. The result of his reflections: the role of propaganda should not be exaggerated. For example, the Nazis saw how unsuccessful it was when it contradicted real events.
Self-fulfillment prophecy
One very interesting idea is the concept of "self-fulfilling prophecy".
As Merton wrote, W. A. Thomas's theorem states that if many people define events as real, then their consequences will also be real.
The sociological parable that Merton tells as an illustration is this. In 1932, a rumor arose that the New National Bank was insolvent. Black Wednesday has arrived. Excited investors tried frantically to "save" their property. But the bank was originallysolvent! And only a false definition of the situation made his bankruptcy real. The prediction led to its fulfillment.
It was in the implementation of a certain type of prediction that Merton saw the cause of racial, ethnic and a number of other conflicts in America.
The idea of "self-fulfilling prophecy" emphasizes the responsibility of sociologists when putting forward new hypotheses and theories. The point is that the conclusions of sociologists will be able to push, provoke, force the implementation of social programs and actions. A false definition of a situation can provoke people to behave in such a way that the situation becomes true.
Intellectuals in the state bureaucracy
Shouldn't sociologists turn to the study of their own social group? After all, there were many efforts aimed at studying different social and professional groups in society. And it has already given its positive results. Criminal personalities, the unemployed, working people, conscripts - all groups of society can be described in the theory of the middle level.
But "it's good to start with order in your own house" - says Merton. For example, what is the role of an intellectual in public service? The main gap in research, according to Merton, is the lack of necessary data.
Who is an intellectual? Apparently, the one whose activity is devoted to the development and formulation of knowledge. This concept refers to a social role, and not to the individual as a whole. There are independent intellectuals, and there are recruited ingovernment bureaucracy.
Intellectuals, in their own way understanding the role in the government, consider themselves experts in the field of information for innovation. What leads them to frustration in the bureaucratic system? And what is the difference between politicians and intellectuals?
The hypotheses and ideas of Robert Merton in this regard deserve special attention. He suggested that we carefully examine why significant sociological results do not always attract the attention of politicians. And why does an intellectual experience euphoria, refusing to participate in bureaucratic processes.
Russia and Merton
Robert Merton welcomed the publication of his works in Russian: his articles were published in the 60-90s. Unfortunately, Merton did not live only a few years before the publication in 2006 of the Russian translation of his long book "Social Theory and Social Structure".
The parents of Robert Merton (by his father - Shkolnik) emigrated from Russia in 1904. And it wasn't that long before he was born in Philadelphia in 1910.
Middle-level theorist Merton argued (in a quite "comprehensive" way - in the spirit of classical philosophy): "History has the power to make stereotypes obsolete".
