Education Quote by William H. Whyte
““Someday someone is going to create a stir by proposing a radical new tool for the study people. It will be called the face-value technique. It would be based on the premise that people often do what they do for the reasons they think they do. The use of this technique will lead to many pitfalls, for it is undeniably true that people do not always act logically or say what they mean. But I wonder if it would produce findings any more unscientific than the opposite course.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Academic Conference on Research Methods, 2012
The proposed “face‑value technique” assumes people act according to their stated reasons, but human behavior often deviates from rational explanation.
In simple terms: It suggests a method that may overlook irrational or hidden motives.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about people’s stated motives.
Themes
methodology
psychology
logic
bias
truth
Mood
skeptical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- market research
- social surveys
- organizational studies
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
rational choice theory
qualitative analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden factors could invalidate stated reasons?
- Can a method ever fully capture true intent?
A Different Perspective
It risks oversimplifying complex motivations and may produce misleading conclusions.
