Dissecting the social : on the principles of analytical sociology / Peter Hedström.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hedström, Peter, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Sociology--Methodology.

Sociology.

Sociology--Philosophy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 177 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2005.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Over the past few decades serious reservations have been expressed about the explanatory power of sociological theory and research. In this important book, leading social theorist Peter Hedström outlines the foundations of an analytically oriented sociology that seeks to address this criticism. Building on his earlier influential contributions to contemporary debates, Professor Hedström argues for a systematic development of sociological theory so that it has the explanatory power and precision to inform sociological research and understanding. He discusses various mechanisms of action and interaction and shows how strong links can be forged between the micro and the macro, and between theory and empirical research. Combining approaches to theory and methodology and using extensive examples to illustrate how they might be applied, this clear, concise and original book will appeal to a broad range of social scientists.

Contents:

The analytical tradition in sociology

Social mechanisms and explanatory theory

Action and interaction

Social interaction and social change

On causal modelling

Quantitative research, agent-based modelling, and theories of the social (with Yvonne Aberg)

Coda.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references (p. 156-169) and index.

ISBN:

1-107-14353-5

1-280-43283-7

0-511-18327-5

0-511-20111-7

0-511-13691-9

0-511-31140-0

0-511-48880-7

0-511-13472-X

OCLC:

171137707