Complexity Theory and the Social Sciences: An Introduction

Chaos and complexity are the new buzz words in both science and contemporary society. The ideas they represent have enormous implications for the way we understand and engage with the world. Complexity Theory and the Social Sciences introduces students to the central ideas which surround the chaos/complexity theories. It discusses key concepts before using them as a way of investigating the nature of social research. By applying them to such familiar topics as urban studies, education and health, David Byrne allows readers new to the subject to appreciate the contribution which complexity theory can make to social research and to illuminating the crucial social issues of our day.

This is the first introduction to chaos theory for social science students. It discusses key concepts and shows how the use of complexity theory can transform the study of central issues in social research such as:

• urban studies

• education

• health.

David Byrne is Senior Lecturer in Social Policy at the University of Durham. He is author of Beyond the Inner City and has published a number of articles in urban sociology and social policy.