Reflexive sociology is a theoretical framework developed by sociologist Pierre Bourdieu in the 1980s. It encourages sociologists to be aware and reflexive of their own biases and assumptions, as well as the social structures and power relations that influence their research. The theory of reflexive sociology draws attention to the role of the researcher within the research itself.
At its core, Bourdieu's reflexive sociology emphasizes reflexivity, which is the practice of reflecting on one's own experiences, perspectives, and biases. Sociologists who practice reflexivity are more aware of how their social background and personal history influence their research questions, hypotheses, and interpretations of data.
The practice of reflexive sociology
According to Bourdieu, reflexive sociology recognizes that knowledge is socially constructed and that the social world is not objective or neutral. Therefore, sociologists must be critical of their own assumptions and challenge the taken-for-granted assumptions underlying their research.
In reflexive sociology, the researcher is seen as an active participant in shaping the research process and the resulting data. The researcher's positionality, or social location and personal background, can affect data collection, analysis and final conclusions. Sociologists must be aware of their positionality and how it might impact their research and its outcomes.
Qualitative research methods, such as in-depth interviews and ethnography, are often used in reflexive sociology. These methods allow sociologists to capture the perspectives and experiences of research participants in their own words and from their own viewpoints.
Overall, reflexive sociology is a methodology that encourages sociologists to be critical, self-aware, and reflective in their research practices. By doing so, sociologists can produce more nuanced and complex analyses of social phenomena, while also acknowledging the socially constructed nature of knowledge and the role of power relations in shaping the research process.
See also: Bourdieu's Field Theory Explained Simply