Robert Merton is a famous sociologist, educator and international figure, one of the leading social analysts of the 20th century. He brilliantly changed the stereotypical view, long held by scientists, that eccentric geniuses were not bound by rules and regulations. It was this amount of work that led him to receive the National Medal of Scientific Achievement in 1994.
Merton has 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 to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and has published numerous scientific papers on sociological theory and mass communications.
For more than 70 years, he has delivered excellent lectures to his students on history, literature and etymology, as well as on sociological topics: the workings of the media, the anatomy of racism, social perspectives, outsiders versus insiders.
Let's learn more about this great man.
Robert Merton: Biography
Born in Philadelphia 4July 1910 in a family of Jewish immigrants. His father was a professor of sociology at Columbia University, and his mother gave all her strength to raising children.
Educated at South Philadelphia High School. In his youth, he was a frequent visitor to the Andrew Carnegie Library, the Academy of Music, the Museum of Art and other cultural and educational centers.
At age 14, he changed his name to Merlin, after one of the most mysterious characters in the Arthurian legends. But friends told him it was too "magical" and he replaced it with Merton.
Academic career
He began his sociological career under the guidance of George Simpson of Temple College and Pitirim Sorokin of Harvard University, who did empirical and statistical research.
In 1936, Robert King Merton received his Ph. D. from Harvard University. In 1939 he became professor and chair of sociology at Tulan University and in 1941 joined Columbia University. In 1963, he received the high title of University Professor.
From 1942 to 1971, he served as Deputy Director of the University's Bureau of Applied Social Research. He was also a lecturer at Rockefeller University. In 1985, in recognition of his invaluable contribution to science and for his long and productive work at Columbia University, he was awarded the title of Doctor of Science.
Robert Merton has been married twice. From his first marriage he had twoson and two daughters. His son Robert S. Merton was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1997.
Robert Merton died February 23, 2003.
Prizes and awards
During his scientific career, Merton held several important positions:
- Associate Director of the Bureau of Applied Social Research at Columbia University (1942-1971);
- Trustee of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University (1952-1975);
- President of the American Sociological Association (1957).
Robert Merton also received several high awards:
- prestigious fellowship from the American Council of Learned Societies (1962);
- Commonwe alth Distinguished Service Award in Sociology (1970);
- Macarathur Postgraduate Prize (1980);
- America's Who's Who Award for Excellence in Social Science (1984);
- in 1985, Columbia University awarded him a Ph. D.
Robert Merton: contributions to sociology
In his scientific work, Merton mainly focused on the development of the "middle range theory". In it, he urged scientists to avoid grand speculative and abstract doctrines, as well as pedantic inquiries that are unlikely to lead them to productive results.
While still a graduate student at Harvard (1936), in his paper "Social Structures and Anomies" hewrote about ranges of deviant behavior and crime. Much of Merton's ongoing "sociological anxiety" has gone to the study of issues of social regulation and deviance.
Robert Merton's theories confirm the facts: people often evaluate their social opportunities and limitations biased; the unshakable advantage of individuals in any social positions (the "Matthew effect"), which dispel attempts at equalization. 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 specific "norms of science" as a set of ideals that scientists should strive for:
- communalism is the science of an open society;
- universalism - the science of "not discriminating";
- unselfishness - the science of external objectivity;
- organized skepticism - the science of testing all ideas and theories.
He also contributed many concepts to the sociological field, among them such concepts as "causing trouble", "unintended consequences", and the term "overgrowth by inclusion" - when a theory becomes so popular that its founder forgets about the essence this theory. He introduced the term "multiple" to describe independent similar discoveries in science.
Intellectual Flexibility
In the early 60s, Merton immersed himself in the study of the main cultural and organizational factors in the work of scientists. Itincluded a thorough analysis of the careers of Nobel laureates, the processes of competition, the relationship between publications and scientific research, and the problematic nature of discovery and acceptance in the "realm" of science.
Sociologist Robert Merton has demonstrated his intellectual flexibility in exploring questions about theoretical formulations, useful typologies and classifications, empirical research, and the practical implications of sociological work in contemporary society.
Scientific work
Major scholarly writings in Merton's early life: Science, Technology, and Society in Seventeenth-Century England (1938), Social Theory and Social Structure (several editions published from 1949 to 1968).
Later he published such works: "Student Doctor" (1957), "Sociology of Science: Theoretical and Empirical Studies" (1973), "Sociological Ambivalence and Other Essays" (1976), " Social Research and the Practicing Professions” (1982).
Some influential writings are contained in a collection of essays edited by Coser (published to celebrate Robert's 65th birthday): The Idea of Social Structure: Papers in Honor of Merton (1975).
As a result, we can say that Robert Merton is a great man, a pioneer in the field of modern political and sociological research. He is rightfully considered one of the most influential social scientists in America. He became the first sociologist who received many awards and prizes for his research. Throughout his careermore than 20 universities (including Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Chicago) have awarded Merton honorary titles. And his scientific works are still in great demand among scientists and students.
