Behavioralism

Behavioralism is a movement in political science and the social sciences that emphasizes the systematic, empirical study of political behavior. Emerging in the mid-20th century as part of the Behavioral Revolution, it sought to shift attention from normative theory and formal institutions to observable actions, attitudes, and interactions of individuals and groups. The aim was to develop generalizable, testable theories about political life through rigorous data collection and analysis.

Researchers used quantitative methods such as surveys, experiments, and statistical modeling, as well as content analysis and large-N datasets. Typical topics include voting behavior, public opinion, political participation, leadership, political socialization, and other forms of collective action. The approach also encouraged cross-national comparisons and the development of standardized measures to allow replication and theory testing.

Behavioralism spurred a marked expansion of empirical inquiry and the use of measurement in political science, influencing both comparative politics and American politics. It faced criticisms for prioritizing method over meaning, reducing politics to measurable variables, and neglecting historical context and power dynamics. Over time, it contributed to subsequent methodological developments, including rational-choice approaches and various interpretive and institutional perspectives, which integrated behavioral data with structural and cultural analysis. Today, behavioralist elements persist in mainstream political science, notably in public opinion research and the empirical testing of hypotheses, even as scholars argue for broader methodological pluralism.