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Dissecting the Social

by Peter Hedstrom

Dissecting the Social Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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 Hedstrom outlines the foundations of an analytically oriented sociology that seeks to address this criticism. Building on his earlier influential contributions to contemporary debates, Professor Hedstrom 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 new 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.

Review:

"Dissecting the Social is a substantial and important contribution to the emerging paradigm of mechanism-based explanation." -Andreas Pickel, Canadian Journal of Sociology Online

Synopsis:

Argues for sociological theory that has the explanatory power and precision to inform research and understanding.

Synopsis:

Building on his earlier influential contributions to contemporary debates on social theory, 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 - qualities lacking in much of the grand social theorizing that is currently fashionable. Combining new approaches to theory and methodology and using extensive examples to illustrate how to apply them, this clear, concise and original book will appeal to a broad range of social scientists.

About the Author

Peter Hedström is Professor of Sociology and Fellow of Nuffield College, Oxford. He has published numerous articles in leading academic journals and is co-author of Social Mechanisms (CUP 1998) with R. Swedberg.

Table of Contents

1. The analytical tradition in sociology; 2. Social mechanisms and explanatory theory; 3. Action and interaction; 4. Social interaction and social change; 5. On causal modelling; 6. Quantitative research, agent-based modelling, and theories of the social (with Yvonne Åberg); 7. Coda; References.

Product Details

ISBN:
9780521796675
Subtitle:
On the Principles of Analytical Sociology
Author:
Hedstrom, Peter
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Location:
Cambridge
Subject:
Philosophy
Subject:
Sociology - General
Subject:
Sociology
Subject:
Sociology - Social Theory
Subject:
Sociology -- Methodology.
Subject:
Sociology -- Philosophy.
Edition Number:
1
Edition Description:
Hardback
Publication Date:
January 2005
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
Professional and scholarly
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
177
Dimensions:
9.00x5.96x.49 in. .68 lbs.

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