VERSTEHEN

Verstehen is a German term which means to understand, perceive, know and comprehend the nature and significance of a phenomenon.

It is a sociological concept used in qualitative research to better understand social action in society.

Social action determines structural transition in society.

2.Types of Verstehen

• Actions of humans can have different meanings in different cultures and societies.
• Without proper investigation, one is at risk of misinterpreting the data collected.
• A good example would be body gestures, which can be misleading if not contextually understood.
• Different meanings were attached to various body gestures like a hug, handshakes, waving and clapping.
• To avoid the risk of misinterpretation, one needs to understand the meaning attached to an action by an individual before ascertaining the cause of the action.

3.Aktuelles Verstehen

It is the direct observational understanding, where a researcher observes what an individual was doing. Observation of a person cooking or writing could be the best example of this. One can confirm and determine the meaning of the action by simply observing it.

4.Eklarendes Verstehen

It is also known as empathetic understanding. It is to understand the meanings attached to an act in terms of the motives that have given rise to it. This requires finding the reason behind the action. To interpret the actions and purposes behind the action, one has to get into the shoes of the people of the action.

5.Motives behind Social Action

• Social action determines structural transition in society.
• The causes and meanings attached to it are important in understanding the Eason for social change.
• Changes were caused when society encouraged certain types of motives for actions by individuals which then led to changes in society, making human actions equally relevant in understanding social change.
• There are four ideal types of social actions-
• Traditional social action: it refers to actions controlled by socio-cultural norms in the society.
• Value rational actions- they are determined by a conscious belief in the inherent value of a type of behaviour.
• Affective social actions- they are determined by one’s emotional state wherein one might not think of the consequences of the action.
• Instrumental-rational social actions- they are carried out to achieve a certain goal.

These types are simply used as a tool to look at real actions and categorize them.

While modern society, obsessed with efficiency and utilitarianism, encouraged instrumental-rational social actions, it is important to look at other aspects that may influence human actions.

Is a deep understanding of individual actions aims to help social science researchers in comprehending social actions and structural changes in society?

6.Criticism

• The concept of Verstehen was criticized by scholars on two grounds.
• The interpretations arrived at through Verstehen could not be easily validated as the researcher's understanding and biases influenced their interpretation of actions.
• The concept is still focused on society's role in encouraging certain actions which then led to social changes.