Q: Analyse the differences between the attributional and interactional approach in studying the caste system.

Model Answer:

Analyzing Attributional vs. Interactional Approaches to Studying the Caste System

The study of the caste system in India has been approached through various sociological lenses, with the attributional and interactional approaches being two significant perspectives. This answer will analyze the key differences between these approaches in understanding the caste system.

1. Theoretical Foundation:
• Attributional Approach: Rooted in structural-functionalism, it views caste as a fixed, hierarchical system based on ascribed attributes.
• Interactional Approach: Influenced by symbolic interactionism, it sees caste as a dynamic system shaped by everyday interactions and negotiations.

2. Focus of Study:
• Attributional: Emphasizes the inherent characteristics and rituals associated with each caste, such as occupation, dietary habits, and purity-pollution concepts.
• Interactional: Concentrates on how caste identities are constructed, maintained, and altered through social interactions and power relations.

3. Nature of Caste:
• Attributional: Portrays caste as a rigid, unchanging structure, often criticized for its orientalist perspective (e.g., Louis Dumont’s “Homo Hierarchicus”).
• Interactional: Views caste as fluid and contextual, acknowledging changes in caste relations over time and space (e.g., M.N. Srinivas’s concept of “Sanskritization”).

4. Methodology:
• Attributional: Relies more on textual analysis and historical accounts to understand caste attributes.
• Interactional: Employs ethnographic methods and field studies to observe caste dynamics in real-life settings.

5. Agency and Power:
• Attributional: Tends to downplay individual agency, focusing on how caste determines behavior.
• Interactional: Recognizes individual and group agency in negotiating caste identities and challenging hierarchies (e.g., Dalit movements).

In conclusion, while the attributional approach provides a structural understanding of caste, the interactional approach offers insights into the lived experiences and evolving nature of caste relations in contemporary India.