Thorngate's postulate of commensurate complexity

Thor Gates postulate of reasonable complexity (English Thorngate 's postulate of commensurate complexity ) is a description of a social science phenomenon which research directions and results are concerned. In summary, Karl E. Weick represents in this concept, the thought that has to be neglected while working on social science research, only two of the three meta-theoretical virtues " General, Just, Just " can be achieved and the third necessarily. The name of the concept derives from the Canadian social psychologist Warren Thorngate ( University of Alberta ), quoting his work Weick.

Background

Background of the theorem is the debate of two sociologists - Kenneth J. Gergen and Barry R. Schlenker - the significance of sociological theories. While Dangling probably of the opinion that the context was joined by sociological behavior only superficially with the observations, Gergen seemed to hold the opinion that the context would permeate all levels of observation and so would the context of significant size in the observation. This statement could be simplistically depicted as sociological observations contained no generalized knowledge, but only " historical " value would: Sociology would be a form of historical research. In considering these positions Thorngate writes:

"It is impossible for a theory of social behavior to be simultaneously general, simple or short and precise. It is impossible for a theory of social behavior to be Simultaneously general, simple or parsimonious, and accurate. "

This statement is supported by a statement Gergen:

"The general is a simple theory, so it will be unreliable in predicting specifics. The more general a simple theory, the less accurate it will be in Predicting specifics. "

Interpretation of the theorem by Weick

Weick describes the model based on a clock, with the clock at 12 the word in general ( engl. General ), 4 clock the word "exactly" ( engl. Accurate ) and at 8 clock, the word " easy " (English Simple) is.

After his presentation research can can be defined in a continuum on the dial between the three forms:

  • If the research is " easy " is between "just " and she is no longer generally available.
  • If research is focused on general / simple statements, then they lack precision,
  • If it focuses on general / detailed research, it is no longer easy.

Implicitly shows Weick thus the following:

  • Research results that are simple and general (10 - clock - research ), are inaccurate;
  • Research that is accurate and easy (6- clock research ) may be applied only to very limited areas and
  • Research is the general and exact (2- clock - research ), will be equipped with a substantial complexity.

Examples of 2- clock research calls Weick psychoanalytic theory ( Otto Fenichel ), Levinson and Gregory Bateson's theory of organizational diagnosis to an ecology of mind. Six - clock research (simple and accurate but not universally ) it recognizes, for example, in the theory of coalition Komorita and Chertkoff but also in a large part of the field and laboratory research. Examples of 10 - clock research (simple and commonly but inaccurately ) called Weick the Peter Principle, the concept of loose coupling and organized anarchy.

For Weick, this means that research that necessarily must focus on one or two dimensions according to this view, should be complemented by other approaches. Only in this way can cause complete images of objects of research. Thus, the postulate is descriptive of the research and prescriptive for the research methodology.

Criticism

Although the concept is generally recognized, Fred Dickinson, Carol Blair, and Brian L. Ott Weick 's criticizing use of the word "Accurate " ( Exactly ). In particular, in studies of memory and similarly difficult issues qualifiable accuracy (in terms of precision) difficult to achieve. They propose a substitution before by the term " interpretive utility" ( interpretative benefit).

Swell

  • Social science
  • Philosophy of Science
Metatheory Field work
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