social action theories

Question 1

What are structural theories?

Answer 1

• macro theories which focus on the institutions of society because these dictates our norms and values and thus determine our behaviour
• functionalism and marxism

Question 2

What are action theories?

Answer 2

• micro approach that focuses on individuals
• focus on individuals and the way they interact with eachother. The reason for this is that they believe we interpret and negotiate with others over norms and values

Question 3

What are the main features of action theories?

Answer 3

• society and social structures/institutions are socially constructed
• people have free will to do things and form their own identities
• prefer to research on small groups on individuals
• peoples behaviour is driven by their beliefs, meaning and emotions given to the situation

Question 4

What do social action theorists emphasise?

Answer 4

• emphasise the role of the active individual and interactions betweem people in shaping personal identity and in turn wider society

Question 5

What is Weber’s theory (social action theory)

Answer 5

• human behaviour can only be understood if you know the context
• classifies action into 4 types:
  
  • instrumentally rational action – the actor calculates the most efficient means of achieving a given goal
  • value rational action – action towards a goal that is desirable for ones own sake
  • traditional action – customes, habitual actions which are often automatic
  • affectual action – action which expresses emotion

Question 6

What is an evalution of Weber (action theories)

Answer 6

• weber is too individualistic and fails to explain how meaning is shared between people

Question 7

What are the three theories associated with symbolic interactionism?

Answer 7

• labelling theory – thomas
• dramaturgical model – goffman
• taking the role of the other – mead

Question 8

What is labelling theory (social action theories)?

Answer 8

• if we believe a label to be true, this belief will affect the way we act
• thomas
• defining a situation as real will have real consequences

Question 9

What is the dramaturgical model (social action theories)

Answer 9

• people use presentation of self and impression management to control how we come across
• the roles we play in society are loosely scripted and we have freedom and choice in when and how we play them
• goffman

Question 10

What is the taking the role of the other theory?

Answer 10

• we see ourselves through the eyes of the other
• we judge our behaviour on how the other interpret the meaning

Question 11

What is Phenomenology?

Answer 11

• Schutz – the social world is experienced by us through our senses. We experience someone by meeting them and Schutz believes we give them a typification which helps provide order to the world
• social world is only possible when people share the same meanings

Question 12

What is Ethnomethodology?

Answer 12

• Garfinkel – social order is created from the bottom up
• a sociologist’s job is to uncover the rules that govern our lives, which are sometimes hidden or taken for granted

Question 13

What does Gidden believe (action theories)

Answer 13

• the whole action vs structure debate on human behaviour is a waste of time
• its a combo of both
• one cannot exist without the other and calls this relationship structuration

Question 14

What is an evaluation of action theory?

Answer 14

• marxists believe that action theorists ignore the impact of capitalism. people have little choice in their actions as they are constantly oppressed
• feminists believe action theorists ignore the power of patriachy. Women need to be studied on a large scale to address social inequalities
• functionalists believe tht action theorists diregard the influence on social structures, particularly the family