Derek Layder – författare

This book aims to recover the lost heart by exploring a wide range of examples of interpersonal control:

· Intimate relations of love

· Romance

· Family ties

· Sexuality

· Emotional blackmail

· Violence

The book outlines a new way of thinking about control and power in everyday life. Written with accessible authority, the book will be of interest to students of Sociology, Social Psychology and Psychology.

· Demonstrates that personal identity is formed around

basic needs for security and self-esteem and the personal

desires that flow from them

· Shows the role of the emotions in personal life

· Explores the limits of approaches that deny the existence

of 'individuals' and 'personal experience'

· Demonstrates how we build on everyday problems and

dilemmas of life to shape our moods, attitudes and feelings.

Shrewd and compelling, the book will be of interest to anyone studying Social Psychology and Sociology.

· Demonstrates that personal identity is formed around

basic needs for security and self-esteem and the personal

desires that flow from them

· Shows the role of the emotions in personal life

· Explores the limits of approaches that deny the existence

of 'individuals' and 'personal experience'

· Demonstrates how we build on everyday problems and

dilemmas of life to shape our moods, attitudes and feelings.

Shrewd and compelling, the book will be of interest to anyone studying Social Psychology and Sociology.

A central problem in contemporary social theory is that of providing an account of social interaction that does justice both to the self-monitoring capacities of the individuals involved and to the society that ‘frames’ the interaction. This book attempts to resolve this problem, arguing for an objectivist or ‘structuralist’ account which does not undervalue the importance of the indexical and negotiated aspects of interaction, and which takes seriously the Marxist-rationalist critique of empiricism and humanism and the associated idea that society should be treated as a supra-individual, preconstituted and constraining object of scientific analysis.

First, Dr Layder pinpoints certain of the strengths and weaknesses of various schools of thought: social psychology (scrutinized in both its sociological and psychological forms), sociology, the Marxist-rationalist approach. Whilst rejecting the mechanistic or naively deterministic theories which are often associated with an objectivist stance, he argues that the productive activities of situated actors must be understood as existing in an articulated relationship with, and within, sets of preconstituted contextual constraints. This thesis is illustrated conceptually by the development of a framework which distinguishes two types and levels of social structure, with different modes of production and reproduction, and empirically by an analysis of aspects of interaction in the occupation of acting.

A central problem in contemporary social theory is that of providing an account of social interaction that does justice both to the self-monitoring capacities of the individuals involved and to the society that ‘frames’ the interaction. This book attempts to resolve this problem, arguing for an objectivist or ‘structuralist’ account which does not undervalue the importance of the indexical and negotiated aspects of interaction, and which takes seriously the Marxist-rationalist critique of empiricism and humanism and the associated idea that society should be treated as a supra-individual, preconstituted and constraining object of scientific analysis.

First, Dr Layder pinpoints certain of the strengths and weaknesses of various schools of thought: social psychology (scrutinized in both its sociological and psychological forms), sociology, the Marxist-rationalist approach. Whilst rejecting the mechanistic or naively deterministic theories which are often associated with an objectivist stance, he argues that the productive activities of situated actors must be understood as existing in an articulated relationship with, and within, sets of preconstituted contextual constraints. This thesis is illustrated conceptually by the development of a framework which distinguishes two types and levels of social structure, with different modes of production and reproduction, and empirically by an analysis of aspects of interaction in the occupation of acting.

With its unique modelling and mapping of social processes, Investigative Research offers an alternative approach to social research. This book guides you through the theoretical grounding and rules you need to effectively combine the evidence-based explanations of social behaviour and distinctive strategies of data collection associated with investigative research.

It helps you answer key investigative questions like:

With its clear focus on investigative research exploration, description, and explanation, this book gives you the solid building blocks needed to manage and integrate the theoretical and practical issues in your work.   

With its unique modelling and mapping of social processes, Investigative Research offers an alternative approach to social research. This book guides you through the theoretical grounding and rules you need to effectively combine the evidence-based explanations of social behaviour and distinctive strategies of data collection associated with investigative research.

It helps you answer key investigative questions like:

With its clear focus on investigative research exploration, description, and explanation, this book gives you the solid building blocks needed to manage and integrate the theoretical and practical issues in your work.   

In this inspiring and engaging book, readers are presented with the key principles and practices of small-scale research. In addition, the book provides a peerless introduction to the key features involved in the process of research design and practice. Written in a clear, accessible way and drawing on exciting up-to-date examples, this book makes for a crucial companion on the way to research excellence.

Based on Layder′s solid background as a researcher, supervisor and teacher, Doing Excellent Small-Scale Research:

-Leads the researcher through the actual process of doing a research project from start to finish

-Offers a comprehensive outline of general areas and issues such as preparation and planning, developing research questions, interviewing and sampling

-Reflects upon research as a social and human process

-Provides systematic guidelines and advice above and beyond technical essentials.

This book will be invaluable to both students and researchers interested in social interaction - informing, guiding and inspiring them towards excellent small-scale research.

With its unique modelling and mapping of social processes, Investigative Research offers an alternative approach to social research. This book guides you through the theoretical grounding and rules you need to effectively combine the evidence-based explanations of social behaviour and distinctive strategies of data collection associated with investigative research.

It helps you answer key investigative questions like:

With its clear focus on investigative research exploration, description, and explanation, this book gives you the solid building blocks needed to manage and integrate the theoretical and practical issues in your work.   

In this inspiring and engaging book, readers are presented with the key principles and practices of small-scale research. In addition, the book provides a peerless introduction to the key features involved in the process of research design and practice. Written in a clear, accessible way and drawing on exciting up-to-date examples, this book makes for a crucial companion on the way to research excellence.

Based on Layder's solid background as a researcher, supervisor and teacher, Doing Excellent Small-Scale Research:

-Leads the researcher through the actual process of doing a research project from start to finish

-Offers a comprehensive outline of general areas and issues such as preparation and planning, developing research questions, interviewing and sampling

-Reflects upon research as a social and human process

-Provides systematic guidelines and advice above and beyond technical essentials.

This book will be invaluable to both students and researchers interested in social interaction - informing, guiding and inspiring them towards excellent small-scale research.

In this inspiring and engaging book, readers are presented with the key principles and practices of small-scale research. In addition, the book provides a peerless introduction to the key features involved in the process of research design and practice. Written in a clear, accessible way and drawing on exciting up-to-date examples, this book makes for a crucial companion on the way to research excellence.

Based on Layder's solid background as a researcher, supervisor and teacher, Doing Excellent Small-Scale Research:

-Leads the researcher through the actual process of doing a research project from start to finish

-Offers a comprehensive outline of general areas and issues such as preparation and planning, developing research questions, interviewing and sampling

-Reflects upon research as a social and human process

-Provides systematic guidelines and advice above and beyond technical essentials.

This book will be invaluable to both students and researchers interested in social interaction - informing, guiding and inspiring them towards excellent small-scale research.