Sociology Plus
Interpretative Sociology Definition
Interpretative sociology is a sociological approach that prioritises the study of meaning and action as the fundamental objects of investigation, rather than focusing primarily on social structure. While often used synonymously with qualitative sociology, it encompasses various methodologies that examine how individuals construct and experience their world. The extent to which these disciplines treat interpretation itself as a problematic area varies across different schools of thought within the field.
Theoretical Context
Interpretative approaches are broadly situated within sociological theory, drawing connections to several key philosophical and sociological traditions. For instance, Weberian sociology and symbolic interactionism tend to treat interpretation in a relatively common-sense or casual manner. In contrast, other related fields offer more elaborate frameworks for understanding interpretation; for example, phenomenological sociology provides an extensive theory of interpretation, and ethnomethodology places significant emphasis on the practical skills required for interpreting social reality as central to its methodology.