Sociology In Austria Research Articles

Allowing for Ambiguity in the Social Sciences

This paper gives a micro-sociological view on the methodology used by Else Frenkel-Brunswik in the famous study The Authoritarian Personality (Adorno et al. 1950). A thorough reconstruction of the theoretical and methodological concepts of Else Frenkel-Brunswik eventually allows for a full appreciation of her works from a today’s social research perspective, especially of her role in the field of authoritarianism-research. The paper deals with (i) Else Frenkel-Brunswik’s role in the research team of The Authoritarian Personality, (ii) the way she followed up on her earlier work, (iii) the question of in which ways her parts of the study were object of criticism by the numerous critics of TAP, and (iv) the ways she herself responded to these critics. The material basis for such an approach is the archival material available in the “Archive for the History of Sociology in Austria (AGSO)” in Graz, Austria, which holds parts of the estate of Else Frenkel-Brunswik, most of all her correspondence and unpublished typoscripts of later publications, as well as at the Institute for Jewish Research (YIVO) in New York, which holds the papers of the American Jewish Committee, i.e., draft reports, memoranda, and some interview protocols of the TAP study.

Marxism underground. Latent Marxism in Austrian empirical sociology

The establishment of sociology in Austria in the twentieth century is in many ways connected with Marxism. Numerous sociologists considered themselves as Marxists, thus at least subjectively carrying on with an “underground” Marxism in their sociological work. Others spent considerable energy in distancing themselves sharply from Marxist positions and tried (especially in times of Austrofascism and National Socialism) to banish Marxism underground within the young discipline. This precarious tension continued to exist in the post-war period and shaped the establishment of sociology as an academic discipline in Austria, but remained unproductive. This thematic issue therefore raises the question of the “latency” of Marxist concepts and positions in Austrian empirical sociology and seeks to explore whether the discussion and updating of Marxist positions can stimulate reflection on the conditions of production of sociological knowledge and research.

Christian Fleck (2015): Sociology in Austria since 1945

Christian Fleck (2015): Sociology in Austria since 1945

Sociology in Austria since 1945

Sociology in Austria since 1945

Sociology in Austria: From Gifted Amateurs to Institutional Banality

This paper provides an overview of the history of sociology in Austria from its first appearance in the late nineteenth century until the present time. I argue that the Austrian case disproves the conventional view of professionalization leading to disciplinary improvement; Austrian sociology enjoyed a greater status prior to its institutionalization as a university-based discipline. The Austrian case, if anything, suggests the opposite, that the growth of the discipline in terms of institutional status and resources has arguably been accompanied by decline in terms of prestige, recognition, innovation and excellence.

35 Jahre ÖZS — Eine quantitative Bestandsaufnahme

In this paper I provide an empirically based quantitative analysis of the last 35 years of the Osterreichische Zeitschrift fur Soziologie (OZS). I ask if the shape of articles have changed, which patterns of co-authorship can be found, and what conclusions are to be drawn regarding to a cultural change within the sociology in Austria. The basis for the empirical analysis is a dataset of all original papers published between 1976 and 2010. The investigated variables are the institutional affiliation of the authors, article length, number of authors per article, the proportion of women, percentage of non-Austrian contributions, and the topics covered. The data suggests that articles reflect the increasing professionalism and academisation of sociology in Austria. Furthermore it shows that articles in the OZS are increas- ingly written by more than one author. It turns out that there are a few people to be particularly attractive as co-authors and therefore get key positions within the publication network.

Family Sociology in Austria:

The origin of empirical social research in Austria is generally credited to the work of adolescence by Paul F. Lazarsfeld during the early 1930s. Spurred by urgent post-war problems, Leo- pold Rosenmayr reintroduced empirical social research in his hous- ing studies during the decades between 1950 and 1970. Rosenmayrs concept of intimacy at the distance has been influential in the study of intergenerational relationships in social as well as ecologi- cal contexts. In the 1980s, the attention of social researchers turned to the definition of family. The dominant topic at the macro-level has been deinstitutionalization of the family, while the micro-level focus has been on superindividualization. This review of the devel- opment of family research and theory in Austria traces recent trendstoward individualism for their influence on family roles, intergenera- tional relationships, and public policy regarding family caregiving.

Introduction to Questions posed to Sociology after Hitler, 1945–50. With an Essay on Sociology in Austria after 1945

Introduction to Questions posed to Sociology after Hitler, 1945–50. With an Essay on Sociology in Austria after 1945

The Emergence of Sociology in Austria 1885–1935

None would deny the fateful role of Austria in European political history during the past century. Her place in intellectual history is of equal importance, as several recent studies have reminded us. Her contribution to the emergence of sociology was both important and peculiar, yet its distinctiveness has often been overlooked. This is partly because of the tendency not to discriminate between Austrian and German thought, and partly because of concentration on successful and positive contributions, rather than on inhibited and negative ones. The latter, however, may be even more instructive than the former.

Sociology in Austria: History, Present Activities and Projects.

Sociology in Austria: History, Present Activities and Projects.