Social Mechanisms: An Analytical Approach to Social TheoryPeter Hedström, Richard Swedberg The advancement of social theory requires an analytical approach that systematically seeks to explicate the social mechanisms that generate and explain observed associations between events. These essays, written by prominent social scientists, advance criticisms of current trends in social theory and suggest alternative approaches. The mechanism approach calls attention to an intermediary level of analysis in between pure description and story-telling, on the one hand, and grand theorizing and universal social laws, on the other. For social theory to be of use for the working social scientist, it must attain a high level of precision and provide a toolbox from which middle range theories can be constructed. |
Contents
Social mechanisms An introductory essay | 1 |
Social mechanisms and social dynamics | 32 |
A plea for mechanisms | 45 |
Real virtuality | 74 |
Concatenations of mechanisms | 102 |
Do economists use social mechanisms to explain? | 125 |
Social mechanisms of dissonance reduction | 147 |
8 Social mechanisms without black boxes | 172 |
9 Is sociological theory too grand for social mechanisms? | 204 |
10 Theoretical mechanisms and the empirical study of social processes | 238 |
Corporations universities and nation states in competitive fields | 267 |
12 Rational imitation | 306 |
329 | |
334 | |
Other editions - View all
Social Mechanisms: An Analytical Approach to Social Theory Peter Hedström,Richard Swedberg No preview available - 1998 |
Common terms and phrases
action actors Alexander alternative Amos Tversky analysis anisms approach argued argument assumed assumptions autocorrelation behavior beliefs black boxes Boudon Bourdieu 1990a Cambridge University Press capital causal chapter choice cognitive cognitive dissonance Coleman competition concept consequences contrast effect corporate groups economic empirical endowment effect equilibrium example explanation explanatory expressive dissonance fact field firms function game theory Giddens Habermas Hedström human idea imitation important individual innovation interaction Jon Elster less logic mathematical Mathematical Sociology mech Merton methodological individualism monopoly moral dissonance normative observed opportunities organization outcomes phenomena Podolny political position predict produce q-ratio rational-choice rationality Raymond Boudon reasons relevant reputation result Richard Swedberg social mechanisms social processes social proof social sciences social structure Social Theory sociological theory sociologists sociology Sørensen specific statistical status Stinchcombe strategy Swedberg theoretical theorists tion Tyler Cowen values variables women York