This document discusses the behavioral approach in political science. It began as a post-World War II protest movement against traditional approaches. Key exponents like Charles Merriam advocated studying political phenomena through observation and measurable data to make the field more scientific and value-free. The behavioral approach focuses on the political behaviors of individuals and groups within political systems. It aims to understand political events by analyzing observable human behavior rather than values or outcomes. However, critics argue that political science cannot be entirely value-free and human behavior is not static.

1. NEETHULEKSHMY U
ASST PROFESSOR
PG & RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
S N COLLEGE KOLLAM, KERALA

3.  Modern approach to the study of Political Science.
 A Post Second World War development
 Protest movement against traditional approach in
Political Science
 Associated with the works of American Political
scientists

4.  The roots of behavioural approach can be traced back
to the works of Graham Wallas (Human Nature in
Politics) and Arthur Bentley ( The process of
Government)
 Graham wallas pointed out the use of human nature in
the study of Political Science
 Arthur Bentley gave emphasis to the group study

5.  The major exponents of Behaviouralism are Charles E
Merrium, the Founder of Chicago School, Harold D.
Lasswell, George Catlin, David Easton etc.
 They believed that the traditional approaches neglected
the political phenomena. Therefore they developed a
new approach to the careful study of political
phenomena, i.e. Behavioural approach.

6.  The central focus is on political behaviour of the
individuals.
 Political Science is concerned with the political behaviour
of human beings within the political contexts that is
within a state or other political community.
 Nature of political events are largely determined by the
nature and behavior of the people.

7.  It is an attempt to understand political phenomena in
terms of observed and observable data.
 Use of more scientific tools such as observation,
survey, measurements etc.
 Aims to a value-free subject.

8.  A protest movement against traditional approaches in
Political Science
 Main focus is on political behaviour of the individual
 Emphasis on methodology
 Objective in nature
 Value free
 Emphasis to inter disciplinary study

9.  David Easton has developed Eight characteristics to
behaviouralism.

10. Eight
intellectual
foundations of
Behaviouralism
REGULARITIES
VERIFICATI
ON
TECHNIQUES
QUANTIFICATI
ON
VALUES
SYSTAMATISATI
ON
PURE SCIENCE
INTEGRATION

11.  Study of Political science cannot be value free
 Gave more emphasis on methods and techniques rather
than the output
 Human behaviour cannot be considered as a basic
element as it is not static.