A great francophile figure of empirical, quantitative and mathematical sociology, and of its historical study : Paul Lazarsfeld (1901-1976)

Abstract

The mathematical psychologist and sociologist Paul Lazarsfeld (1901-1976), born Austrian and American by nationality, developed first in Austria and mostly in the United States, through the use of mostly quantitative surveys and mathematical models, the study of behavior processes leading to choice : choice of an occupation, of a consumption good, of a radio programm, of a candidate in a political election. The first part of the paper offers an overview of his life and career and of his numerous contibutions, including methodology (critical re-analysis of selected pieces of research). The second part deals with his two major books devoted to political behavior (The Peopleís Choice, 1944; Voting, 1954). The third part focusses on Lazarsfeldís interest in history ó a much less wellknown part of his work. First his writings, as well as those of his disciples (including the author of the present paper) on the history of empirical social research since roughly 1650 to our time. Second ó as an entirely different matter ó the close collaboration which he proposes to establish between the historians and the pollsters. The paper first recalls what were between 1938 and 1950 Lazarsfeldís relations with the polling agencies. Then it examines the various modalities of the collaboration which Lazarsfeld envisages between historians and pollsters in order to ameliorate our polls for the greater benefit of the historian of the future.