Chains of reasons: Exploring structural conditions by analysing subjective reasons

This article discusses the methodological concept of 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 participants’ conduct of everyday life.