Marienthal

Abstract

This paper describes the findings, theories and field methods of theresearch carried out by Paul Lazarsfeld, Marie Jahoda and Hans Zeisel inwinter 1931/1932 in Austria. The results of this research work werepublished in 1933 in German under the title The Unemployed fromMarienthal (Die Arbeitslosen von Marienthal). Since the Second World Warthe book has been published in many editions and printings in English,German, French, and also in Korean. The book is generally known underthe short title Marienthal.This small industrial town near Vienna became the subject of a majorsociographical research. The research focused not on the unemployedindividual but on the whole community afflicted by unemployment. Theresearch team made a considerable effort to understand and describe thesituation of families of unemployed textile workers in Marienthal. Thecombination of quantitative research procedures with methods ofqualitative research was a significant feature of the research. Theauthors were interested in the family budgets and diet of the unemployedfamilies. They investigated the effects of unemployment studyingstatistical data of consumption and the purchasing of goods in the town.They studied the family life, analysed the changes in meaning of thetime of unemployed citizens, examined how the role of interest groups,congregations, church and political parties was adapted to the situationof mass unemployment.The authors contributed to the investigation of the aspirations andlife-plans of members of families affected by longitudinal unemployment.The book came to some theoretical conclusions concerning the influenceof long lasting unemployment on the social organism, i.e., the communityof Marienthal. Apathy, no future plans, but at the same time trying tocreate chances for one's children, were the most apparent elements ofthe life situation of unemployed citizens of Marienthal.This paper also discusses in brief the subsequent lives and scientificwork of all three authors.