DISCIPLINES AND IDEAS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Quarter 1: Module 5
(Week 8)

Lesson 5 – Interpretative Social Science

BEGIN !!
The picture
shown is an example of a symbol in
symbolic interactionism, one of
theoretical approaches under
interpretative social science which we
will discuss in this lesson. Symbolic
interactionism claims that symbols help
us understand how we view society and
communicate with each other. The
symbols found in restroom signs show us
that women wear dress and men wear
pants, and compel us to react properly
by going to the right restroom. Aside
from symbolic interactionism, we will
also discuss another theoretical
approach under interpretive social
science--hermeneutic phenomenology. In
this lesson, you will understand
interpretive social science as one of the paradigms in the social sciences.
In this lesson, we will discuss another paradigm in the social sciences, which is interpretive social science. In the previous lesson, we
have discussed how important it is for positivist social science to discover natural laws that help us understand and explain society. In
interpretive social science, we will see how important context is in understanding society.

YOUR TARGETS !!

This module will help you to:

1. explain interpretative social science as one of the paradigms in the Social Science;
2. appraise the meanings that people attach to everyday forms of interaction in order to explain social behavior;
3. analyze the significance of data in understanding historical phenomena based on proper context through one’s own
consciousness;
4. evaluate strength and weaknesses of the theoretical approaches under interpretative paradigm in the social sciences
discussed in this lesson; and
5. interpret personal and social experiences using relevant theoretical approaches in the Social Sciences..

TRY THIS !!

Directions: Identify the concept being described in each number.

_________________1. A particular way of observing, measuring social reality.
_________________2. Considered as the oldest and the most widely used paradigm among the dominant paradigms in the social
sciences.
_________________3. An experience brought by something that you feel with your senses.
_________________4. Refers to a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.
_________________5. Refers to the ideology that structures is more important than function.

DO THIS !!

Social Functions – refers to results or effects for the operation of the society in general. For instance, education has a number of
significant purposes in a society, such as socialization and learning. The family can be treated as having essential functions for society
such as providing sexual, reproductive, economic, and educational needs for its members. Media provides the social function of
mirroring the concerns of the audience. Religion contributes to the well-being of society by teaching morality thus providing social
stability and order. Social functions may be intended or unintended consequences, thus they can be classified into manifest or latent
functions.

 Manifest and Latent Functions. American sociologist Robert Merton emphasized the importance of manifest and latent
functions in structural-functionalism for a better understanding of society. In his Social Theory and Social Structure (1968),
he used the example of a rain dance, whose manifest function is to produce rain, while the latent or unintended function of
the rain dance is to provide a regular opportunity for the members of a group to meet and share a common activity.
According to him, manifest functions are those that are intentional or known, referring to functions which people suppose and
anticipate to be fulfilled by the institutions. Meanwhile, latent function are the unexpected effects of institutions. Merton
believes that sociologist should look out for latent functions for an increasing understanding of society, and not rely solely
on the manifest functions or the reasons given by individuals for their actions
Social Dysfunctions – dysfunctions may also be manifest or latent, and have a negative effect on society. Manifest dysfunctions are
expected disruptions of social life. For instance, a manifest dysfunction of heavy migration from rural to urban areas might include
overpopulation and unemployment. Latent dysfunction might include rise in crime rate due to massive unemployment generated by
the said migration.
“#DealOrNoDeal”
Directions: Write “DEAL” if the statement is a MANIFEST FUNCTION and “NO DEAL” if it refers to LATENT FUNCTION.
Write your answer on the space provided below.
1. Schools provide education for children.
2. Schools provide day care services for children of working parents.
3. Religion provides courtship opportunities for single churchgoers.
4. Religion provides moral standards for society.
5. Sports clubs provide opportunities for social interaction among people.

EXPLORE !!

“I CAN FILL IT”

Directions: Imagine yourself as the image below. Choose one scenario from the ones listed below and share your own personal and
social experience or knowledge of them using one of the theories discussed in this lesson. On the spaces provided, write a reflection
about it.

Scenario:
1. Being a member of a particular religious organization
2. Deciding where to eat during lunch break
3. Role of your family in shaping your norms and values

Your Name

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KEEP THIS IN MIND !!

We are now ready to engage in discussing our new lesson in this module
 Lesson 5 : Interpretative Social Science
Origins of interpretive social science can be traced to the German sociologist Max Weber, who asserted that social science needed to
study significant social action, and the German philosopher Wilhem Dilthey, who argued the importance of an empathic discernment
of the everyday lived experience of people in a particular historical setting. Hermeneutics is an important concept in interpretive
social science, a theory of meaning which emphasizes a thorough evaluation of text (conversation, written words, or pictures) to
discover meaning implanted within text, with the belief that each reader brings his or her subjective experience to a text.

Hermeneutic Phenomenology
Hermeneutics refers to the art of understanding and the theory of interpretation while phenomenology means the science of
phenomena. Hermeneutics means to interpret" and the term came from the name of Hermes, the wing-footed messenger of gods in
Greek mythology. Hermeneutic phenomenology came up out of German philosophy and aims to reveal the life world or human
experience as it is lived. It wishes to regain what had been supposedly lost by the positivist approach. It advocates the idea that
instead of simply one truth as conceived by the scientists, there are in fact many truths. Hermeneutics, therefore, means the process of
making the incomprehensible under standable. Meanwhile, phenomenology becomes hermeneutical when its method takes an
interpretive instead of solely descriptive nature. Every description is always ready interpretation; to understand is already to
interpret, and every mode of human knowledge is interpretive. Understanding is already a form of interpretation. This approach
emphasizes the importance of language, the type of questioning, the phenomenology of human conversation, the value of prejudice,
historicality, and tradition in human understanding. This approach asserts that meanings are not straightforwardly handed down to
us, and we must use hermeneutics to understand human actions and behaviour, promotes a micro-level analysis of society.

Hermeneutic Phenomenology: Strengths and Criticisms

Hermeneutic phenomenology as a social science approach helps researchers to clarify lived experience and expose meaning through
a process of understanding and interpretation (Wilcke, 2002). It allows the experiences of people to be presented in a straightforward
and suggestive manner, giving the reader an opportunity to imaginatively take part into the experiences described. Through this
approach, readers are given the chance to intensify their understanding of the intricacies of experiences as actually lived by people. It
also serves as a vehicle for readers to reflect on the meaning of the experiences described, reminding them that experiences are far
more complicated than we actually think. Those who refuse to use hermeneutic phenomenology as an approach claims that its focus
on experiences unique to the individuals and to their context makes it hard to generalize for a larger population. It is also criticized
for its findings which, because of their subjectivity and specificity, cannot be used as basis for policy frameworks. Its micro-level
analysis is also cited as one of its weaknesses since it focuses on individual experiences and not on the effects of structures on
individuals' understanding and interpretation of their experiences.

APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED !!

Instituitions as a Symbol…
(Draw two object that symbolizes the formal and informal institutions): Briefly explain how
the symbol would constrains your
behaviour as a member of the
society

REFLECT !!

Congratulations on the finishing the supplementary learning module! You have just had
an amazing learning journey and for sure, you will also do the same on the succeeding modules.
To sum up what you have learned. Complete the following phrases

3 Thoughts I have learned…

__________________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

2 Things I want to remember…

___________________________________________
 1 Question I have in mind…

___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________

ASSESS WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED !!

Part I - Directions: Write RTC if what is being referred to, is part of Rational Choice Theory and SF if it is
reflects ideas of Structural-functionalism.
_____________1. People are motivated by their personal desires and aspirations and they make decisions related to their goal and the
means for attaining those goals.
_____________2. Society is a system of interdependent parts with specific function for the benefit of the entire society.
_____________3. Complex social phenomena can be explained in terms of the elementary individual actions of which they are
composed.
_____________4. Society is multifaceted scheme whose part work mutually for the promotion of harmony and constancy.
_____________5. The basic unit of social life is individual human deed.

Part II. Triple Bottom Line (TBL)

Objective: Compare and contrast Structural-functionalism, rational choice, and institutionalism

Directions:
1. Using the Triple Venn Diagram, compare and contrast Structural-functionalism, rational choice, and institutionalism.
2. Answer the guide questions that follow.
 Guide Questions:
1. What are the similarities of Structural-functionalism to rational choice and institutionalism?
2. How does Structural-functionalism differ from rational choice?
3. How does Social Science differ from institutionalism?

Reference:
Google Drive. ALL – IN – MODULE SENIOR HIGH. Accessed on August 20, 2020.
https://www.facebook.com100002442267884/posts/3233431426748234/?app=fb/