As already studied in the previous article, the major theoretical strands of research methodology can be studied under two categories, structural approach, and social action. As the structural approach with its subparts has already been discussed, let’s now start with theories linked with social action. Major Theoretical Strands Of Research Methodology-II.
2. Theories of Social action.
A. SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM.
As per the viewpoint of a symbolic interactionist, social meanings arise through the process of social interaction. Existing symbolic interactionism depends on three basic grounds:
- Human beings act toward things based on the meanings that they attach to them.
- These meanings are the consequence of, social contact with others.
Such meanings can be changed only via the process of interaction and explanation. Major Theoretical Strands Of Research Methodology-II
Significance of symbols.
Symbols play a major role in our social lives. Without them, human beings would not have any meanings, relations, and interactions just like animals. For instance, in absence of symbols, there would be no family, relatives, teachers, or friends. Now, the question arises if these are only symbols that define our relationships, would reproduction have no meanings?
The answer would be ‘ reproduction would still be a process, but the absence of symbols would make it hard for us to relate one to another human being’. We would be unable to specify a time, size, materials, goals, places, emotions, etc without symbols. Major Theoretical Strands Of Research Methodology-II
Three viewpoints of symbolic interactionism.
The Looking-Glass Self.
This viewpoint refers to the idea that an individual’s self-thought is mainly an image of how he/she is observed by other members of society, wherein the society is used as a Glass/mirror to reflect a feeling of self-pride, self-doubt, and self-value. Major Theoretical Strands Of Research Methodology-II
Dramaturgical Analysis.
This analysis under symbolic interactionism makes use of similarity of the theatre to investigate social behavior. In this, people are viewed as actors occupying roles as they play out life’s drama whereas, in actual life, people do not inactively agree with others’ explanations of the situation. Instead, they actively participate in drama and alters interaction to show themselves in the most positive light. Major Theoretical Strands Of Research Methodology-II
The Labeling Approach.
This approach contends that people assign different labels to certain behaviors, people, and groups who become part of their social identity. This shapes the attitudes and responses of others towards them.
Criticism of Symbolic Interaction Theory.
- Interactionistsexamines human interaction in a specific space and focus only on small-scale face-to-face interaction. This has no concern for social settings.
- Only particular situations are focused and references from historical events are considered the least.
William Skidmore mentions that interactionists largely fail to explain ‘why people regularly select to behave in given ways in certain circumstances, instead of in all the other ways they might have acted’. Major Theoretical Strands Of Research Methodology-II
B. Phenomenology.
As per the Phenomenologists, the subject matter of the social and natural sciences is fundamentally different. Therefore, methods and norms of natural sciences cannot be used to study a man.
Since natural science only deals with matter like atoms and molecules, it did not have any consciousness. Hence, this science can only react to external stimuli and is not based on any internal logic.
As human beings have consciousness, feelings, emotions, and awareness, their actions are meaningful. As a consequence, the man not only behaves but acts in terms of meanings he attaches to any event. So, it is needed that a sociologist discovers the meanings to be understood and interpreted both with external and internal logic which directs the actions of an actor. Major Theoretical Strands Of Research Methodology-II
C. Ethnomethodology.
This theory refers to the study of methods used by people. It focuses on examining the methods used by members of society to build, explain for and give meaning to their social world. Ethnomethodologists suspend the idea that a definite or objective social order exists in society. In its place, they believe that social life seems arranged for members of society. Major Theoretical Strands Of Research Methodology-II
Critique to Ethnomethodology.
- Critics argued that people of society represented by Ethnomethodologists seem to lack any aims and goals.
- Ethnomethodologists have been unsuccessful to give owed concern to the fact that members’ accounting methods are conducted within a system of social relationships that have power differences.
