Robert Merton is a famous sociologist, educator and international leader, one of the leading analysts and sociologists of the 20th century. He managed to brilliantly change the stereotypical views that scientists have long held that eccentric geniuses are not bound by rules and norms. It was this volume of work that served as the basis for receiving in 1994 the National Medal for Scientific Achievements.
Merton received many awards for his research. He was the first sociologist to become an honorary member of the National Academy of Sciences and a foreign representative at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and published many scientific papers on sociological theory and mass communication.
For over 70 years, he gave his students excellent lectures on history, literature and etymology, as well as on sociological topics: the work of the media, the anatomy of racism, social perspectives, outsiders versus insiders.
Let's find out more about this great man.
Robert Merton: biography
Born in Philadelphia on July 4, 1910 in a family of Jewish immigrants. His father was a professor of sociology at Columbia University, and his mother devoted all her energy to raising children.
Educated at South Philadelphia High School. As a teenager, he was a frequent guest at the Andrew Carnegie Library, at the Academy of Music, at the Museum of Art, and other cultural and educational centers.
At age 14, he changed his name to Merlin, in honor of one of the most mysterious characters in the legends of King Arthur. But friends told him that it was too “magical, ” and he replaced it with Merton.
Academic career
He began his sociological career under the leadership of George Simpson of Temple College and Pitirim Sorokin of Harvard University, who was engaged in empirical and statistical research.
In 1936, Robert King Merton received his doctorate from Harvard University. In 1939, he became professor and head of the department of sociology at the University of Tulan, and in 1941 joined Columbia University. In 1963 he received a high title - Professor of the University.
From 1942 to 1971, he served as Deputy Director of the Bureau of the University of Applied Social Research. He was also a teacher at Rockefeller University. In 1985, in recognition of his invaluable contribution to science and for his long-term and productive work at Columbia University, he was awarded the title of Doctor of Science.
Robert Merton was twice married. From his first marriage, two sons and two daughters were born to him. His son Robert S. Merton won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1997.
Robert Merton died on February 23, 2003.
Prizes and awards
During his scientific career, Merton held several important posts:
- Deputy Director of the Bureau of Applied Social Research at Columbia University (1942-1971);
- Trustee, Center for Advanced Studies in Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University (1952-1975);
- President of the American Sociological Association (1957).
Robert Merton has also received several high awards:
- A prestigious scholarship from the American Council of Scientific Societies (1962);
- Commonwealth Prize for Outstanding Merits in Sociology (1970);
- Macaratur Prize in graduate school (1980);
- Award "Who is who in America" for high achievements in the field of social science (1984);
- In 1985, Columbia University awarded him the title of Doctor of Science.
Robert Merton: Contribution to Sociology
In scientific activity, Merton mainly focused on the development of "middle range theory." In it, he urged scientists to avoid the great speculative and abstract doctrines, as well as pedantic requests that are unlikely to lead them to productive results.
While still a graduate student at Harvard (1936), in his article "Social Structures and Anomies, " he wrote about the ranges of deviant behavior and crime. Much of Merton’s ongoing “sociological concern” has gone into the study of social regulation and deviation.
Theories of Robert Merton confirm the facts: people often evaluate their social capabilities and limitations biased; the unshakable advantage of individuals in any social position (the "Matthew effect"), which scatter attempts at alignment. He demonstrated the fragility of such normal forms of social regulation as formal leadership, dominant cultural values, and professional standards.
"Norms of science" and other concepts
Robert King Merton proposed special "norms of science" as a set of ideals that scientists should strive for:
- communism - the science of an open society;
- universalism - the science of “not discriminating”;
- disinterestedness - the science of external objectivity;
- Organized skepticism is the science of testing all ideas and theories.
He also introduced many concepts into the sociological field, among them such concepts as “incurring disaster”, “unintended consequences”, and the term “overgrowing by inclusion” - when a theory becomes so popularized that its founder forgets the essence of this theory. He introduced the concept of "multiple" to describe independent similar discoveries in science.
Intelligent flexibility
In the early 60s, Merton plunged into the study of the main cultural and organizational factors in the work of scientists. It included a thorough analysis of the career of Nobel laureates, the processes of competition, the relationship between publications and scientific research, and the problematic nature of the discovery and adoption of science in the “kingdom”.
Sociologist Robert Merton has demonstrated his intellectual flexibility in studying questions about theoretical formulations, useful typologies and classifications, empirical research, and the practical consequences of sociological work in modern society.
