Power point presentation on Behaviouralism, this is most important and basic topic for Foundations of Political Science, students...

1. BEHAVIOURALISM
By Dr. Mamta Pareek

2. WHAT IS APPROACH ?
• The study of political science and in the process of search for
political truth certain procedure must be followed. These
procedures are defined as approaches, methods, techniques and
strategies.
• Approaches to study political science are grouped as traditional
and modern approaches –
Approach
Traditional
Approach
•Idealistic Approach
Historical Approach
Philosophical Approach
Discriptive Approach
Modern
Approach
Scientific Approach
Behaviouralism
Post Behaviouralism
Inter Disciplinary Approach

3. FEATURES OF TRADITIONAL
APPROACH
• Traditional approaches are largely normative and stresses
on the values of politics.
• Emphasis is on the study of different political structures.
• Traditional approaches made very little attempt to relate
theory and research.
• These approaches believe that since facts and values are
closely interlinked, studies in Political Science can never
be scientific.

4. FEATURES OF MODERN
APPROACH
• These approaches try to draw conclusion from
empirical data.
• These approaches go beyond the study of political
structures and its historical analysis.
• Modern Approaches believe in inter-disciplinary
study.
• They emphasize scientific methods of study and
attempt to draw scientific conclusions in Political
Science.

5. BEHAVIOURALISM
After
II world war, Lots of
revolutionary changes
have been done in
political science due
to dissatisfaction &
criticism of Traditional
Approach.
Basically
Behaviouralism’s birth
credit goes to thinkers;
those got many realistic
experiences during II
world war and found
failure of traditional
researches in practical
life.
This
realistic
revolution
is known as
Behavioural
Revolution.

6. DEVELOPMENT OF
BEHAVIOURALISM
 First reflection of Behaviouralism is in 20th century’s famous
book “HUMAN NATURE IN POLITICS” – GRAHAM WALLAS &
“THE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT” – A.F. BENTLY
 Behaviouralism has been started through the book published in
1925’ “NEW ASPECTS OF POLITICS” – CHARLES E. MERRIAM
( Founder of Behaviouralism)
 Chicago University, USA was the centre of these new ideas, that
is why this concept is famous as Chicago School, further it is
known as Behaviouralism.
 Profounder of Behaviouralism – Charles E Merriam
& David Easton – “The Political System”

7. BEHAVIOURAL POLITICAL SCIENTIST ARE :-
Herbert Simon – Administrative Behaviour
Lasswell & Caplon – Power & Society
Catlin – As Study of the Principles of Pol. Sc.
Harold Lasswell – Politics : Who Gets What,
When & How ?
Henz Eualu
David Truman
Lucian Pie
Gabriel Almonds
Karl Deutsch
Robert Dahl etc.
CHARLES E. MERRIAM
NEW ASPECTS OF POLITICS
David Easton –
THE POLITICAL SYSTEM

8. DEFINITIONS OF BEHAVIOURALISM
 “Behaviouralism is the
study of human
political behaviour
which can be
supervised, measured
& verified.”
- David Easton
“Behaviouralism is a
protest movement within
political science, its object
is to made political science
more scientific.”
- Robert A. Dahl
“Behaviouralism is
the study of human
group behaviour
with special reference
of politics.”
- Blaire koalas

9. BASE OF BEHAVIOURALISM
SYSTEMATIC
EMPIRICAL
TECHNICAL
SET

10. CHARACTERISTICS OF BEHAVIOURALISM
1. Regularities – collection of Data
2. Verification – Verified the collected Data
3. Use of Techniques – Pure scientific methods must
be used
4. Quantification – Collected & Verified data must
be measured and quantified.
5. Value free study – All facts & study should
separated from values.
6. Systematization – Research should be systematic,
Theory oriented & Theory Directed
7. Pure Science – Final aim is to establish Political
Science as Natural Science
8. Integration – Political Science should integrated
with other social sciences (Inter Disciplinary
Approach)
“Intellectual Foundation stone of
Behaviouralism”
according to
David Easton

11. CRITICISM OF BEHAVIOURALISM
➢ Political aspect neglected
➢ Extra access of techniques
➢ Study of Human Behaviour is not possible
➢ Analytical method is not absolute
➢ Contradictory study
➢ Empirical study has its own limitation
➢ Concept of political behaviour is myth
➢ Costly method
➢ Appropriate for democratic countries only

12. IMPORTANCE OF BEHAVIOURALISM
❖ Starting of new Political science
❖ Politics became scientific
❖ Realistic study
❖ New method adopted e.g. –
Interview, Questionnaire, Observation
Initiate Inter Disciplinary Approach
❖ Value free research

13. EVALUATION OF BEHAVIOURALISM
Behaviouralism has opened a new dimension for
political research & due to this change Political
Science has awake from deep sleep.
Arnold Brecht -
Behaviouralism
is a tragedy of
20th century
Leo Straus –
Behaviouralism is
“Victory OF
Gutter”

14. THANK YOU
By Dr. Mamta Pareek
Associate Professor
Poddar International College, Jaipur
E mail id – pareeks12@gmail.com