SOCIAL ACTION THEORIES

Question 1

WEBER: Social Action Theory

Answer 1

To understand human behaviour you need an explanation of the level of cause and meaning

Identifies 4 types of action associated with human behaviour:

1. Instrumentally rational action- action calculates most efficient means of achieving a goal
2. Value rational action- actions towards a goal that is desirable for one’s own sake
3. Traditional action- custom, routine actions that are automatic
4. Affectual action- action which expresses emotion

Question 2

LABELLING THEORY: Symbolic Interactionism

Answer 2

Two concepts that underpin this theory:

1. The definition of the situation- if we attach a label to something, it will affect the way we act and has realife consequences (THOMAS)
2. The looking glass self- the ability to take the role of the other. Allows us to see ourselves how others see us, relates to self fulfilling prophecy (COOLEY)

Question 3

MEAD: Symbolic Interactionism

Answer 3

We create our world through actions and interactions which are based on meanings we give to situations, by attaching symbols.

When something happens we have a interpretive phase before responding, in order to select an appropriate response (e.g, if someone shakes a fist at you, you interpretate if this was anger or a joke)

We work out meanings by take rhe role of the other. To function in society we need the ability to see ourselves as others see us

Question 4

BLUMER: Symbolic Interactionism

Answer 4

Three key principles to our actions:

1. Our actions are based on meaning we give the situations amd are not instinctive
2. These meanings come from the interaction process, they’re aren’t fixed and are changeble to an extent
3. The meaning we give to situations are dependent on he interpretive process we uses

Question 5

GOFFMAN DRAMATURIGICAL MODEL: Symbolic Interactionism

Answer 5

We actively construct our self by manipulating other people’s impressions of us

Is described as dramaturgical because it uses the analogy of drama to anylse social interaction- we are actors who use scripts with the aim of giving a convincing performance

Our roles are interchangeable, there are backstage roles where we can be ourselves, and front stage where we act out our roles. E.g, the classroom is a front region where students must put on a convincing role performance for the teacher, the playground is where they can be themselves.

Question 6

Evaluation of Symbolic Interactionism

Answer 6

Focuses on face to face interactions and ignores wider social structures like class inequality

Not all actions are meaningful, traditional action is perform routinely and have little meaning

Fails to explain how actors create meanings

Question 7

Evaluation of Weber’s Social Action Theory

Answer 7

Cannot explain shared nature of meanings, why does everyone else present come up with the same meaning to gestures

Question 8

SCHUTZ’S PHENOMENOLOGICAL SOCIOLOGY: Phenomenology

Answer 8

Categories and concepts we use are not unique to ourselves, but shared with other members of society, he calls this typifications

The meaning of an experiance depends on the social context, e.g, raising your arms means one thing in class, but another thing at an auction. Meaning is not the action but the context

Members of society have a shared life world, shares commonsense knowledge. E.g, red light means stop

Without typification social order would be impossible, it ensures we all greeting on the meanings of things

Question 9

Evaluation of Schutz’s phenomenological sociology

Answer 9

Berger and Luckman
Although life is socially constructed- once constructed it has a life of its own and becomes an external phenomenon. E.g, religion may start as people consciousness, but embeds itself in society in the form of religious institutions or organisations