Reflexivity (social theory)
Reflexivity in social theory refers to the concept that the act of observation influences both the observer and the subject being observed. This circular relationship highlights how individuals and societies shape each other through experiences and interactions. The term has its roots in Latin, meaning "turned back," and has evolved over time to encompass various disciplines, including sociology, psychology, and economics. Early contributions to the concept were made by William and Dorothy Thomas in the 1920s, who proposed that individuals' perceptions of reality can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies. Robert King Merton further developed this idea by emphasizing how people's actions are influenced by their perceptions. In the mid-20th century, sociologist Talcott Parsons introduced reflexivity as a principle in sociology, suggesting that individuals not only react to their circumstances but also actively contribute to shaping them. Anthony Giddens expanded on this by indicating that in the post-modern world, changes in communication and globalization have led people to redefine their self-concepts and roles within society. Reflexivity can manifest in various contexts, demonstrating that the interaction between individuals and their social environments is both dynamic and continuous.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Reflexivity (social theory)
Reflexivity is a term used in conjunction with several different theories, even within the field of sociology. In general, it refers to the idea that something or someone that is being observed is naturally affected by the very presence of the observer and the act of observation. For example, having the principal in the classroom to observe a class tends to affect the behavior of the class and the instructor, while the principal may hold back on disciplining a student acting up in the class to see how the instructor handles the situation. The concept of reflexivity in sociology also addresses the idea that a person is shaped and formed by experiences and relationships, and those experiences and relationships are, in turn, affected by how the person reacts based on how they have been shaped by previous encounters.
Background
The word reflexivity comes from the Latin word reflexivus, which means “turned back.” Since the sixteenth century, reflexivity and other words from the same Latin root have been used to refer to something that looks back at itself or turns an image back to the place from which it came. A reflection in a mirror or a person reflecting on a conversation would be examples of the ways words from this root imply a circular relationship between something that is observed and the person or thing observing it.
In the twentieth century, sociologists, psychologists, anthropologists, economists, and others began using the word to refer to various aspects of their work where this type of circular relationship existed. One of the earliest applications came in the 1920s with the work of sociologists and spouses William I. Thomas and Dorothy Swaine Thomas. The Thomases proposed that once people see a situation as part of their reality, the consequences of that situation also become real. In other words, by reflecting on the situation as real, its effects became self-fulfilling.
This idea of people’s perception of reality becoming self-fulfilling was enhanced in the 1940s by American sociologist Robert King Merton. It was Merton who coined the term self-fulfilling to describe the idea that people adjust their actions according to how they see their circumstances. This circle between how the situation is viewed and its effect is another example of reflexivity.
In the mid-twentieth century, American sociologist Talcott Parsons was the first to use the term reflexivity in connection with sociological principles. Parsons used it to name the idea that the way people act is not only shaped by circumstances but also helps to shape the circumstances and that people are consciously aware of this happening.
British sociologist Anthony Giddens further developed the idea of reflexivity. He noted that both society and the people comprising it are under constant revision as a result of the impact each has on the other. This is the context in which the term is most often used in sociology.
Overview
According to Giddens and others who favor reflexivity as a social theory, changes in society in the post-modern world have led to people changing how they see themselves. Prior to the modern age, people were limited by tradition and culture as well as their circumstances. It was more difficult to travel and to communicate with others, and people lived more localized existences. Their perceptions of their situations and of themselves were often dictated by their circumstances. In the post-modern age, technology and innovations have changed how people travel and communicate. This has led to globalization and exposure to new ways of thinking and new perceptions of how things can be that come from other cultures and societies. In turn, this has led to changes in other societies and changes in how people reflect on their own situations. According to Giddens, this has created a situation in which people no longer passively accept their situations or a role that has been established for them by society, culture, or tradition. Instead, they reflect on their circumstances, their values, and their own goals and use these to direct their actions. The process is ongoing and repeated continually throughout life, making a person’s self-concept completely reflexive.
At the same time, society is continually changing as people change their own views of themselves and their expectations for society, continuing the circular reflexive cycle. This relationship between cause and effect is prevalent in many aspects of life and has led to reflexivity being used in numerous contexts. For example, economists use it to describe how rising stock prices cause people to see stocks as more desirable, and this encourages them to buy more. This, in turn, causes prices to rise even higher and is another example of how reflexivity affects society.
Another aspect of reflexivity is how it affects the sociologist and his research. This area was of special interest to famed French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu. Bourdieu noted that since all people have attitudes and perceptions that affect how they act, these are also present in sociologists. Although researchers attempt to keep distance between their own personal views and their work, the reflexive nature of humanity means that their mere involvement can impact the society they are studying. For example, a sociologist might spend time in a community faced with chronic poverty, attempting to understand what factors are keeping the society in that state. However, in being there, the sociologist establishes at least some relationship with the people in the community. The sociologist may also expose the people in the community to new ideas simply by asking their opinions about different concepts. The theory of reflexivity postulates that this interaction itself can change the community.
Bibliography
Adams, M. “Ambiguity: The Reflexive Self and Alternatives”. M/C Journal, vol. 5, no. 5, Oct. 2002, doi:10.5204/mcj.1990. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Crossman, Ashley. “Anthony Giddens: Biography of a British Sociologist.” ThoughtCo., 13 May 2018, www.thoughtco.com/anthony-giddens-3026484. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Jamieson, Michelle K., et al. "Reflexivity in Quantitative Research: A Rationale and Beginner's Guide." Social and Personality Psychology Compass, vol. 17, no. 4, 2023, p. e12735, doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12735. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
“Reflexivity.” University of Warwick, warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/ces/research/current/socialtheory/maps/reflexivity. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Seiyama, Kazuo. "Reflexivity and Social Theory: Theoretical Hypothesis and Method of Interpretative Sociology." Sociological Theory and Methods, vol. 3, no. 1, 1988, pp. 57-76, doi.org/10.11218/ojjams.3.57.
Tsekeris, Charalambos. “Reflections on Reflexivity: Sociological Issues and Perspectives.” Contemporary Issues, 2010, hrcak.srce.hr/file/94101. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
“What Is Reflexivity in Social Theory.” The Hindu, 16 Aug. 2017, www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/what-is-reflexivity-in-social-theory/article19497918.ece. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Wiley, Norbert. "The Self as Self-Fulfilling Prophecy." Symbolic Interaction, vol. 26, no. 4, 2003, pp. 501-513, cdclv.unlv.edu/pragmatism/wiley‗self.pdf. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.