Ida R. Hoos
Encyclopedia
Ida Simone Russakoff Hoos (October 9, 1912 – April 24, 2007) was an American
sociologist best known as a critic of systems analysis
using mathematical formulae and disregarding social factors, especially when analyzing technology and public policy.
She reminisced about her work's impact: "Technological advance was evident on every front. The 'dominant paradigm' embraced only the quantitative. What you could not count, did not count. The social and human aspects were systematically avoided in the rush to be 'scientific.'"
Born in Skowhegan, Maine
she graduated from Radcliffe College
in 1933 and earned a master's degree
from Harvard University
in 1942. While in graduate school, she foundewd Jewish Vocational Services in Boston to help garment workers. After earning her master's, she moved to Berkeley, California
, where her husband took a job teaching economics at University of California, Berkeley
. She earned her Ph.D.
there in 1959.
Whilst a research sociologist at the University of California she published a critique of the systems approach to social policy
She retired in 1982. Hoos died at Massachusetts General Hospital
in Boston
of pneumonia
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sociologist best known as a critic of systems analysis
Systems analysis
Systems analysis is the study of sets of interacting entities, including computer systems analysis. This field is closely related to requirements analysis or operations research...
using mathematical formulae and disregarding social factors, especially when analyzing technology and public policy.
She reminisced about her work's impact: "Technological advance was evident on every front. The 'dominant paradigm' embraced only the quantitative. What you could not count, did not count. The social and human aspects were systematically avoided in the rush to be 'scientific.'"
Born in Skowhegan, Maine
Skowhegan, Maine
Skowhegan is the county seat of Somerset County, Maine, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 8,824. Every August, Skowhegan hosts the annual Skowhegan State Fair, the oldest continuous state fair in the United States...
she graduated from Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College was a women's liberal arts college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was the coordinate college for Harvard University. It was also one of the Seven Sisters colleges. Radcliffe College conferred joint Harvard-Radcliffe diplomas beginning in 1963 and a formal merger agreement with...
in 1933 and earned a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1942. While in graduate school, she foundewd Jewish Vocational Services in Boston to help garment workers. After earning her master's, she moved to Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
, where her husband took a job teaching economics at University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. She earned her Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
there in 1959.
Whilst a research sociologist at the University of California she published a critique of the systems approach to social policy
She retired in 1982. Hoos died at Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital is a teaching hospital and biomedical research facility in the West End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
of pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
.
External links
- Ida Russakoff Hoos profile at UC Berkeley
- Systems analysis in social policy