Chains of reasons: Exploring structural conditions by analysing subjective reasons

This article discusses the methodological concept ‘chains of reasons’, as a conceptual possibility for analysing connections between personal participation and structural conditions in a concrete historical practice. The concept of context is central within psychology but methodologically it is often an open question how to select and focus on the relevant contextual nexuses to a problem. Following subjective reasons as an analytical foundation for tracking relevant conditions provides a possibility for concretising the work with ‘contexts’ and anchoring personal aspects in social practice. This is illustrated through an analysis of unequal possibilities for children’s participation in educational institutions - conceptualised as ‘situated inequality’. Although the analysis exemplifies an analytical round trip into social practices involved in the individual representation of problems at school, the concept is meant as a general contribution to theoretical psychology – highlighting structural conditions through analysis of subjective perspectives in participant’s conduct of everyday live.