Statistical Theory and Social Interests

This paper examines the controversy that took place between 1900 and 1914 about how best to measure statistical association. The divergent views of the two sides are examined by means of a study of the work of the major participants in the controversy: Karl Pearson (1857-1936) and George Udny Yule (1871-1951). It is argued that the theorizing and scientific judgments of the two sides embodied different 'cognitive interests': that is to say, differing goals in the development of statistical theory resulted in approaches to the measurement of association that were structured differently. These different cognitive interests arose from the different problem situations of statisticians whose primary commitment was to eugenics research and those who lacked any such strong specific commitment. It is suggested that eugenics embodied the social interests of a specific sector of British society, and not those of other sectors. Thus differing social interests are seen as entering indirectly, through the 'mediation' of eugenics, into this episode in development of statistical theory in Britain.