Dominant Approaches and Ideas in the Social

Sciences
What is a theory and what are the dominant approaches in the Social
Sciences?

Theory refers to a set of interrelated concepts, definitions and propositions that explains, describes or predicts
events or situations by specifying relations among variables.

Empirical – Analytical Approaches in the Social Sciences

Empirical – also known as a sense experience, is the knowledge or source of knowledge acquired by means
of the senses, particularly by observation and experimentation.
Analytical Skill – is the ability to visualize, articulate, conceptualize or solve both complex and
uncomplicated problems by making decisions that are sensible given the available information.

1.1 Micro level Approaches in the Social Sciences

1. Rational choice theory
2. Symbolic interactionism
1.2 MAcro level Approaches in the Social Sciences
1. Structural Functionalism
2. Institutionalism
1.3 Interdisciplinary approach in the social sciences
1. Human-Environment System Approach

1.1 Micro level Approaches in the Social Sciences

Rational Choice theory

- is a powerful tool in making sense of why people act or behave in the way they do
- According to Elster 1989 (inward 2002, 65), “the essence of rational choice theory is that when faced
with several courses of action, people usually do what they believe is likely to have the best overall
outcome”
Three Pillars
1. Strategies or courses of action open and available to them
2. Their preferences over the end-states to which combinations of actions chosen by the various players
lead
3. Their beliefs about important parameters such as other’s preferences.

SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
- Is a sociological framework that focuses on the different meanings individuals attach to objects, peoples, and
interactions as well as the corresponding behaviors that reflect those meanings and or interpretations.

GEORGE HERBERT MEAD – influential figure in the field of symbolic interactionism.

 - central concept is the self “the part of an
individual’s personality composed of self-awareness and self-image”

Herbert Blumer coined the rem symbolic interactionism

For the symbolic approach, acting people are the basin units of human society. Blumer’s view of
human society is that it consists of acting units and acting people, and all activity in the society springs from
such acting units.
3 stage in self development
Play stage, game stage, generalized

1.2 MACROLEVEL APPROACHES IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Structural Functionalism

- Is “a framework for building a theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together
to promote solidarity and stability.”
- Developed by Talcott Parsons in the 1930s under the influence of the works of max Weber and Emile
Durkheim.
- Robert Merton (1910-2003) expanded the concept of social function by arguing that any social structure may
have many functions. He distinguished between manifest functions and latent functions

Manifest functions – the recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern
Latent Functions – the unrecognized and unintended consequences of any social pattern
Social Dysfunction – any social pattern that may disrupt the operation of society
Social Institution – described as the pillars of human society
Structuralism – is the term used that believes that it is a “must” the human should be part of a big structure.

AGIL
1. Adaptation – acquiring and mobilizing sufficient resources so that the system can survive.
2. Goal Attainment – setting and implementing goals
3. Integration- maintaining solidarity or coordination among the subunits of the system
4. Latency – creating, preserving and transmitting the system’s distinctive culture and values

Institutionalism
- Is a general approach to governance and social science. It concentrates on institutions and studies
them using inductive, historical, and comparative methods.

2 dominant perspective in institutionalism

1. Old institutionalism
2. New institutionalism
Sub fields in new institutionalism
1. Normative institutionalism – it defines institutions much more broadly than political scientist
or economist and it includes also the symbol systems, cognitive scripts and moral templates,
hence it breaks down the divide between institutions and culture
2. Rational choice institution- draws heavily from rational choice theory
 3. Historical institutionalism – social science method that uses institutions to find sequences of
social, political, economic behavior and changes across time.
4. Feminist institutionalism – it is a new institutionalist approach that looks at “how gender
norms operate within institutions and how institutional processes construct and maintain
gender power dynamics.
5. Sociological institutionalism – it is a form of new institutionalism that concerns ‘the way in
which institution create meaning for individuals, providing important theoretical building
blocks for normative institutionalism within political science

Two (2) KINDS OF INSTITUTION

1. FORMAL INSTITUTION – are those officially established in one way or another, often
by government
Ex. Law, constitution, government
2. INFORMAL INSTITUTION – are not officially established, but are practices commonly
accepted throughout society
Ex. Beliefs, norms,values

1.3 Interdisciplinary approach in the social sciences

. Human-Environment System Approach

- Is an interdisciplinary approach in the social sciences.
- Refers to interaction of human system with corresponding environmental or technological systems.
- Also referred to as the “coupled human environment system” or the “coupled human and natural
system”