Notes on Dominant Approaches in Social Sciences

Lesson Objectives

  • Key Concepts and Ideas: Define key concepts and ideas relevant to various approaches in social sciences.
  • Key Assumptions and Issues: Identify key assumptions and issues (theoretical and methodological) of dominant approaches.
  • Analyze Differences: Analyze the differences between positivist social science, interpretive social science, and critical social science.
  • Contributions to Knowledge: Explain the contributions of each approach to the production of cumulative and generalizable knowledge.
  • Social Phenomena Analysis: Analyze social phenomena using relevant approaches.
  • Strengths and Weaknesses: Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the dominant approaches in social sciences.

Introduction

  • This chapter addresses key ideas and assumptions associated with each approach and outlines theoretical and methodological issues.
  • The organizing framework is based on Jurgen Habermas' typology of cognitive interests.

Jurgen Habermas

  • A German philosopher and sociologist closely associated with Critical Theory, focusing on political philosophy and social criticism.
  • Aims to critique societal structures that hinder true democratic participation.
  • Introduced the term "cognitive interest" referring to human concerns within intellectual disciplines.

Dominant Approaches in Social Sciences

  1. Positivist Social Science
  2. Interpretive Social Science
  3. Critical Social Science

Lesson 1: Positivist Social Science

  • Definition: Derived from "positivisme," meaning knowledge imposed by experience. Asserts that reliable knowledge comes only from empirical observation and rational reports of sensory experience.
  • Auguste Comte: Father of Positivism; believed society operates through absolute laws that sociologists must discover to understand societal nature.
Key Theories in Positivist Social Science

  • Structural-Functionalism

    • Views society as a complex system that contributes to solidarity and stability.

    • Inputs from various social structures such as government, education, and religion are critical for societal function.

    • Example: In the Philippines, gossip ("tsismis") serves as a social control mechanism promoting order.

  • Key Concepts in Structural Functionalism:

    • Social Structures: Patterned social relations, e.g., relationships among family, community, and institutions.
    • Social Functions: Intended and unintended consequences affecting society (manifest and latent).
      • Manifest Functions: Intended outcomes (e.g., education transmitting cultural values).
      • Latent Functions: Unintended outcomes (e.g., youth engagement through education).

  • Rational Choice Theory

    • Assumes individuals make logical choices to maximize benefits while minimizing costs.
    • Key Concepts:
    • Utility Maximization: Behavior patterns driven by maximizing rewards.
    • Structure of Preferences: Individuals choose based on personal desires and attainable goals.
    • Decision-Making: Analyzing options under uncertainty to determine the most advantageous outcome.
    • Centrality of Individuals: Behavior explanation through individual choice.

  • Institutionalism

    • Examines how institutions (formal and informal) shape social behavior.
    • Formal Institutions: Officially established rules and structures.
    • Informal Institutions: Unofficial behavioral norms outside formal channels.
    • Examples: Laws, traditions, and cultural norms guiding social interactions.

Conclusion

  • Positivist Approaches Summary:
    • All approaches—structural functionalism, rational choice, and institutionalism—aim to elucidate human behavior through natural laws.
    • Structural Functionalism emphasizes the interdependence of societal parts.
    • Rational Choice focuses on reason-based individual actions.
    • Institutionalism highlights how formal/informal constraints affect behavior.