DOMINANT APPROACHES

IN SOCIAL SCIENCES
 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
01 EMPIRICAL
ANALYTICAL
An evidence-based
approach to the study and
interpretation of
information. Relies in real-
world data, metrics,
results. Empiricism is the
idea that knowledge is
primarily received through
experience.
02 HISTORICAL- 03 EMPIRICAL-
HERMENEUTICAL CRITICAL
Data are generated by the Governed by
understanding of human Emancipatory interests.
meanings and not through These are human interests
neutral facts. that involve reflecting
social, cultural, and
political injustice and
prejudice and how and
why they exist.
MICROLEVEL APPROACHES IN THE SOCIAL
SCIENCES.
Small-scale interactions between individuals, such as conversation
or group dynamics.
 RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY
A powerful tool in making sense why people act or behave in the way they do.

Beginnings of RCT can be traced back to the behavioral revolution in American

political science of the 1950s and in the 1960s instigated by behavioralists or
scholars following the behavioral tradition or persuasion.

The behavioral movement was strongly influenced by the positivist tradition in the
social sciences, in particular by the writings of August Comte.
 ECONOMICS MANNER
Every action and RCT responds to the concept of
COST – BENEFIT Analysis.
behavior is causing our COST BENEFIT Analysis –
ability to systematic process of evaluating
the desirability of a decision by
decide/decision weighing its potential benefits and
making. causes.
 COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS
COST
Price or monetary value that will be used
by consumer.
The given opportunity to attain expected
benefits.
BENEFIT
Possible loss or gain on products or
services
Money, Decision, Sacrifice, Quality
 COST
-The livelihood of farmers will be
affected.
-Agriculture sectors will lessen.

BENEFIT
-Commerce will extend.
-Will provide alternative employment

― Irene M. Pepperberg
HISTORICAL ROOTS OF RCT
According to Plato with his book “The Republic”

He emphasized the freedom and rights of the people in the society. If there is no justice, there will be more abuse.

According to Thomas Hobbes

Paid attention to the importance of government, particularly the Absolute Monarchy.

Through government, there is a common good.

According to Herbert Simon

He believes that individuals use standard operating procedures as a heuristic device and as a shorthand guide to ratinal
action.
 CRITICISMS
-People lose their ethical standards and do not pay attention to what is right and
what is wrong.

-Only focuses on the idea of personal interest, power and wealth.

-The attention is paid to having equivalent exchange in every decision that will be
made.

-Society revolves in a conditional manner

- Poor empirical record and implausible assumptions in predictive terms.

 SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
A sociological framework that focuses on the different meanings' individuals attach
to objects, people, and interactions as well as corresponding behaviors hat reflect
those meanings or interpretations.

Each symbol has a different meaning based on the way it interact with others
through interaction. (Socialization)

With the help of interaction, the meaning of the symbol is made known to others
using language.

The meaning of the symbol will be based on the interpretation of an individual.

HISTORICAL ROOTS OF SYMBOLIC
INTERACTIONISM
Herbert Blumer

Introduces the study of Symbolic Interactionism. The symbol of the equipment depends on its use.

George Herbert Mead

Gestures are important in communication when we interact with others like posture, tone of voice, and hand and facial
movements.
The process of self-discovery and self-development is enacted by the gestures of threefold through the play stage,
game stage and generalized by others.
 PLAY STAGE
-the phase in which children start to
act out roles during their playtime.

GAME STAGE
- Children extrapolate from the
vantage point of the roles they have
simulated by assuming the roles that
their counterparts concurrently
undertake.

GENERALIZED OTHER
- Attitudes, viewpoints, and expectations of
society that a child considers. Collection of
roles and attitudes that people uses as a
reference point for figuring out how to
behave in each situation
 CRITICISMS
- Data is not validated because it is only based on interactions.
(Experiential data)

- It lacks reliability in numerical and statistical data.

- According to Charles Cooley, self-recognition is too much based-on

imagination and other people’s perception
MACROLEVEL
APPROACHES IN THE
SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Larger scales of social processes such as social stability and
change
 STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
A framework in building a theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work
together to promote solidarity and stability.

Believes that society consists of interrelated systems like family, religion, education,
government, economy etc.

Promotes social solidarity and stability.

Aims to acquire development, justice, peace, a good economy, and a strong labor force.

Society is like a living organism run by its interrelated parts.

POINT OF VIEWS
Social Stability

This can be achieved when social insitutions become responsible on

their functions.

Concensus

Refers to harmony and unity of members in a group

SOCIETY
 EDUCATION
Produces productive citizens of the society in preparation for the next
generation.

Gives the rich and poor to obtain equality and equity.

Possibly ends discrimination, conflict, and violence

Introduce patriotic identity and political awareness

HISTORICAL ROOTS OF STRUCTURAL
FUNCTIONALISM
Herbert Spencer

The main proponent of structural functionalism and introduced the theory.

He believes that the failure of the society is based on the non-performing members of the society and their concensus.
This will lead to a constant problem in the society.
Idea of Scocial Equilibrium – the state of being balanced in society that every part of it has to adapt the change that will
take place.

Robert Merton
Expanded the concept of social function by arguing that any social structure may have many functions. He also
distinguished between manifest functions; the recognized and intended consequences of any social patterns and latent
functions; the unrecognized and unintended consequences of any social pattern.
 MANIFEST LATENT
FUNCTION FUNCTION
-People are not aware of what is
- The event that is happening is in
behind an event or social
human consciousness.
phenomena.

― Irene M. Pepperberg
HISTORICAL ROOTS OF STRUCTURAL
FUNCTIONALISM
Emile Durkheim

The basis of the study of society is based founded on on social facts; laws, morality,
beliefs, customs, and lifestyle.
The cooperation of a society is important because development begins with oneself.