Theories and Methods 1

Question 1

Talcott Parson’s Definition of the “theoretical system”

Answer 1

The body of logically interdependent generalized concepts of empirical reference.

Question 2

Grand Theories
Middle Range Theories
Empirical Findings

Answer 2

Grand Theories - Fundamental Premises
Middle Range Theories - Theories (Propositions and Hypotheses)
Empirical Theories - Contextual descriptions and empirical generalization

Question 3

What is Max Webers Comparative Approach (Weberian Comparative Approach) ?

Answer 3

Formalist - comparison is not about establishing scientific laws but about understanding phenomena by the casual relations between them

Individualist Perspective - social complexity (according to him) is the consequence of entrenchments between social groups

Based upon ideal types - ability to grasp the social patterns and schemes prevailing into a group

Question 4

What is Positivism and type of approach?

Answer 4

Holistic approach - phenomena determines individuals. The collective explains the social.

Question 5

August Comte

Answer 5

Comparison is a method of establishing SCIENTIFIC LAWS.

Question 6

Emile Durkheim

Answer 6

Concomitant Variations Method based on PHILOSOPHICAL LOGIC and mathematics

Question 7

What are the ideal types by Max Weber?

Answer 7

1). Traditional 2). Charismatic
3). Rational-legal

Question 8

Hegelianism - Hegel’s Dialect of the Mind

Answer 8

Analysis of history in stages of civilization. Each stage has a dominant view (THESIS) -> production of contrary viewpoint (ANTITHESIS) -> Clash that overtakes similarities and differences to achieve a new state (SYNTHESIS)

Question 9

Marxism - Marx’s Dialect of the Mind

Answer 9

Analysis of history in struggles between classes. Dominant class (Bourgeoisie) (THESIS) -> Alienated Class (Proletariat) (ANTITHESIS) -> New state of history as socialism (SYNTHESIS)

Question 10

How did Gabriel Almond evaluate comparative theory?

Answer 10

a struggle between ideologies (left and right) and methodological (soft and hard} dimensions

Question 11

Behaviouralism + Origins

Answer 11

Why do people behave the way they do?
Origins in the writing of Auguste Comte and in logical positivism of the Vienna Circle.

Question 12

Rational Choice Theory

Question 13

What did Guy Peters say about old institutionalism?

Answer 13

• normative
• structuralist
• historicist
• legalistic
• holistic

Question 14

Constructivism

Question 15

What is Behaviouralism based on?

Answer 15

a. Empirical observation of behavior
b. understanding of behaviour by empirical testing

Question 16

Traditional vs. New Institutionalist perspective on induction vs deduction?

Answer 16

Traditional: Inductive Empiricism
New: Deductive Empiricism

Question 17

Inductive v Deductive

Answer 17

Inductive: Data then Hypothesis
Deductive: Hypothesis then Data to support

Question 18

Constructivism

Answer 18

Ideas conceptualize social constructs.
Social roles determined by capitals and social disposition.

Question 19

Four Capitals of constructivism

Answer 19

1) Economic Capital
2) Cultural Capital: Field’s knowledge and social recognition.
3) Social Capital: Social network
4 Symbolic Capital: Collective representations

Question 20

What is a methodology?

Answer 20

Philosophical conception about truth.

Question 21

Norbert Elias:

Answer 21

“I do not have a methodology. It is an ideology foisted on us by philosophers who have outlived their usefulness”