Verstehen

(noun)

A systematic interpretive process of understanding the meaning of action from the actor's point of view; in the context of German philosophy and social sciences in general, the special sense of "interpretive or participatory examination" of social phenomena.

Related Terms

Examples of Verstehen in the following topics:

  • Sociology and Science

    • Max Weber and Wilhelm Dilthey introduced the concept of verstehen.
    • The goal of verstehen is less to predict behavior than it is to understand behavior.
    • Arriving at a verstehen-like understanding of society thus involves not only quantitative approaches, but more interpretive, qualitative approaches.
    • The contrast between positivist sociology and the verstehen approach has been reformulated in modern sociology as a distinction between quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches, respectively.
    • Max Weber and Wilhelm Dilthey introduced verstehen—understanding behaviors—as goal of sociology.

  • Tradition vs. Science

    • Max Weber and Wilhelm Dilthey introduced the concept of verstehen, or understanding.
    • The goal of verstehen is less to predict behavior than it is to understand behavior.
    • And, while arriving at a verstehen-like understanding of a culture adopts a more subjective approach, it nevertheless employs systematic methodologies like the scientific method.
    • Both positivist and verstehen approaches employ a scientific method as they make observations and gather data, propose hypotheses, and test their hypotheses in the formulation of theories.

  • History

    • Max Weber and Wilhelm Dilthey introduced the concept of verstehen.
    • The goal of verstehen is less to predict behavior than it is to understand behavior.
    • While arriving at a verstehen-like understanding of a culture employs systematic methodologies like the positivistic approach of predicting human behavior, it is often a more subjective process.
    • The contrast between positivist sociology and the verstehen approach has been reformulated in modern sociology as a distinction between quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches, respectively.

  • Protestant Work Ethic and Weber

    • Weber departed from positivist sociology, instead emphasizing Verstehen, or understanding, as the goal of sociology.

  • Quantitative and Qualitative

    • Like the distinction drawn between positivist sociology and Verstehen sociology, there is - as noted above in the elaboration of general scientific methods - often a distinction drawn between two types of sociological investigation: quantitative and qualitative.
    • Qualitative methods of sociological research tend to approach social phenomena from the Verstehen perspective.

  • Weber's Model for Bureaucracy

    • Max Weber and Wilhelm Dilthey introduced verstehen—understanding behaviors—as goal of sociology.

  • Rational-Legal Authority

    • Max Weber and Wilhelm Dilthey introduced verstehen—understanding behaviors—as goal of sociology.

  • Social Status

    • Max Weber and Wilhelm Dilthey introduced verstehen—understanding behaviors—as goal of sociology.

  • The Scientific Method

    • Max Weber labeled this approach Verstehen, which is German for understanding.