Theories and Methods 1 Flashcards
Talcott Parson’s Definition of the “theoretical system”
The body of logically interdependent generalized concepts of empirical reference.
Grand Theories
Middle Range Theories
Empirical Findings
Grand Theories - Fundamental Premises
Middle Range Theories - Theories (Propositions and Hypotheses)
Empirical Theories - Contextual descriptions and empirical generalization
What is Max Webers Comparative Approach (Weberian Comparative Approach) ?
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
What is Positivism and type of approach?
Holistic approach - phenomena determines individuals. The collective explains the social.
August Comte
Comparison is a method of establishing SCIENTIFIC LAWS.
Emile Durkheim
Concomitant Variations Method based on PHILOSOPHICAL LOGIC and mathematics
What are the ideal types by Max Weber?
1). Traditional 2). Charismatic
3). Rational-legal
Hegelianism - Hegel’s Dialect of the Mind
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)
Marxism - Marx’s Dialect of the Mind
Analysis of history in struggles between classes. Dominant class (Bourgeoisie) (THESIS) -> Alienated Class (Proletariat) (ANTITHESIS) -> New state of history as socialism (SYNTHESIS)
How did Gabriel Almond evaluate comparative theory?
a struggle between ideologies (left and right) and methodological (soft and hard} dimensions
Behaviouralism + Origins
Why do people behave the way they do?
Origins in the writing of Auguste Comte and in logical positivism of the Vienna Circle.
Rational Choice Theory
What did Guy Peters say about old institutionalism?
- normative
- structuralist
- historicist
- legalistic
- holistic
Constructivism
What is Behaviouralism based on?
a. Empirical observation of behavior
b. understanding of behaviour by empirical testing
Traditional vs. New Institutionalist perspective on induction vs deduction?
Traditional: Inductive Empiricism
New: Deductive Empiricism
Inductive v Deductive
Inductive: Data then Hypothesis
Deductive: Hypothesis then Data to support
Constructivism
Ideas conceptualize social constructs.
Social roles determined by capitals and social disposition.
Four Capitals of constructivism
1) Economic Capital
2) Cultural Capital: Field’s knowledge and social recognition.
3) Social Capital: Social network
4 Symbolic Capital: Collective representations
What is a methodology?
Philosophical conception about truth.
Norbert Elias:
“I do not have a methodology. It is an ideology foisted on us by philosophers who have outlived their usefulness”
