DISCUSS IN DETAIL THE DISTINCTIVE ATTRIBUTES OF

BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO POLITICAL SCIENCE

Introduction

Behavioralism, which was one of the dominant approaches in the

1950s and ’60s, is the view that the subject matter of political science

should be limited to phenomena that are independently observable

and quantifiable. It assumes that political institutions largely reflect

underlying social forces and that the study of politics should begin

with society, culture, and public opinion. To this end, behavioralists

utilize the methodology of the social sciences—primarily psychology—

to establish statistical relationships between independent variables

(presumed causes) and dependent variables (presumed effects). For

example, a behavioralist might use detailed election data to argue that

voters in rural areas tend to vote for candidates who are more

conservative, while voters in cities generally favour candidates who are

more liberal.

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 The prominence of behavioralists in the post-World War II

period helped to lead political science in a much more scientific

direction. For many behavioralists, only such quantified studies can be

considered political science in the strict sense; they often contrasted

their studies with those of the so-called traditionalists, who attempted

to explain politics by using unquantified descriptions, anecdotes,

historical analogies, ideologies, and philosophy. Like behaviourism in

psychology, behavioralism in political science attempted to discard

intuition, or at least to support it with empirical observation. A

traditionalist, in contrast, might attempt to support intuition with

reason alone.

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 DISCUSS IN DETAIL THE DISTINCTIVE ATTRIBUTES OF

BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO POLITICAL SCIENCE

1. Study of Human Political Behaviour:

Instead of political institutions, Behavioural Approach stands for the

study of human behaviour in politics. It places emphasis upon the

study of both individual as well as group behaviour in politics.

2. Empirical Methods:

Behavioural approach advocates the use of empirical methods of study

involving data collection through field methods, and analysis of data

using statistical and mathematical measurement techniques. It

advocates a study of facts of political life.

3. Interdisciplinary Focus:

It advocates the study of politics with the help of knowledge drawn

from other social sciences, particularly sociology, psychology and

anthropology. It even accepts the need to use concepts drawn from

natural sciences.

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4. Scientific Theory of Politics:

Behavioural Approach rejects the traditional approach and theory of

politics. It accepts and advocates the need for building a scientific

theory of politics. Political Theory should be as much scientific and

precise as are the natural sciences.

5. Regularities:

Behavioural Approach holds that there are discoverable uniformities

in human political behaviour. These can be expressed in

generalizations or theories with explanatory and predictive values.

6. Verification:

The validity of such generalizations has to be testable with reference to

relevant behaviour. Only empirically tested and verified

generalisations about politics are to be admitted as valid.

7. Techniques:

Means for acquiring and interpreting data cannot be taken for

granted. Several different techniques can be found or formulated for

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observing, recording and analyzing behaviour. It stands for adoption

of appropriate tools of data collection and analysis.

8. Quantification:

Precision in the recording of data and the statement of findings

require measurement and quantification, not for their own sake, but

only where possible, relevant and meaningful in the light of other

objectives. Use of mathematical and statistical methods of data

analysis has to be made.

9. Value-free Study or Value Neutrality:

“Ethical evaluation and empirical explanation involve two different

propositions. For the sake of clarity, these should be kept analytically

distinct. Study of Politics has to be empirical and value-free. Values

have to be kept out of empirical study of facts.

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10. Systematization:

Research ought to be systematic. It means that, theory and research

are to be seen as closely inter-twined parts of a coherent and orderly

body of knowledge. Conscious efforts have to be made for building a

scientific theory of Politics.

11. Pure Science:

The application of knowledge is as much a part of the scientific

enterprise as theoretical understanding. But the understanding and

explanation of political behaviour logically precede and provide the

basis for efforts to utilize political knowledge in the solution of urgent

practical problems of society. It admits and advocates a link between

theoretical understanding and practical application of knowledge.

12. Integration:

Because the social sciences deal with the whole human situation, the

political research cannot ignore the findings of the other disciplines.

Recognition of interrelationship between Political Science and other

social sciences can provide immense help to bring political science

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back to its status of earlier centuries and ensure its return to the main

fold of the social sciences. In other words, Behaviouralism accepts

interdisciplinary focus

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