Theories - Social action theory Flashcards
(31 cards)
What is Social action theory?
Emphasises that individuals are active agents who create and shape society through their interactions and meanings rather than being passively shaped by social structures.
Is Action theory a micro or macro approach ?
Micro
Focuses on micro-level interactions and the subjective meanings individuals attach to their actions.
What did Weber say about the world and society?
It is a very complex and unpredictable system.
To get a full understanding of human behaviour we need both structural and social action approaches.
What does Weber say about the level of cause?
The level of cause is the objective social structures that shape peoples behaviour.
(Biological determinism)
What does Weber say about the level of meaning?
The level of meaning is the subjective meanings that individuals attach their actions. (Rebelling against gender norms).
What does Weber argue about individual acts?
Explain:
Instrumentally rational action
Value rational action
Affectual action
Traditional action
Instrumentally rational action - The individual calculates the most efficient way of achieving the goal.
Value Rational action - The goal has value for the individual but the way of achieving it may not seem rational.
Affectual action - An action that expresses emotion.
Traditional action - A routine action that follows customs or traditions.
Evaluation of Weber (Social action) - Positive
They help us to understand why people may behave differently in the same circumstances. (Less deterministic)
Evaluation of Weber (Social action) - Negative
- To understand the meanings people attach to their actions we need to achieve Verstehen.
However - not possible as we cannot be someone else we can only sympathise/relate. - Types of Actions overlap - Some actions may become routine as they are the most efficient method to achieve a goal.
What does Mead argue about Symbolic interactionism ?
S.I focuses on how individuals create meaning through social interactions.
(Society is shaped through symbolic communication - language/gestures)
What is the Self according to Mead ?
What is the i and me
Developed through interaction with others.
(I and Me)
- I = individuals spontaneous actions.
-Me = Internalised expectations of society.
What is Role taking ?
Individuals learn to see themselves from the perspective of others.
(Sense of self)
What are symbols (according to mead) ?
Symbols play a fundamental role.
In shaping social behaviour as people interpret and assign meaning to their experiences.
How can Meads ideas be applied?
Every day social interactions.
Socialisation studies.
Micro-level interactions
Media
Everyday social interactions - helping us to understand how people form identities based on how they think and others perceive them. (Ideal - perceived self)
Been used in studies of socialisation (education/media)
(Young people learn roles through interaction)
Explains micro level interactions (how people adjust their behaviour based on feedback from others).
(Media - People construct their identity through online interactions).
What is Cooley’s looking glass self theory?
Explain how individuals form their self-concepts based on their perception of how others see them.
What do social interactions do?
Shape self-identity
People adjust their behaviour based on imagined judgements from others.
What 3 interactions shape self identity ?
How we imagine we appear to others
How interpret their reactions
How we develop a self-concept based on that interpretations.
- Thinking about how others perceive our actions and appearance.
- Noticing - approval - disapproval - indifference.
- Can lead to positive/negative self-esteem.
Explain how identity is not fixed?
It continuously evolves as individuals engage in social interactions.
How can Cooley’s ideas be applied ?
Socialisation
Social media behaviour
Self-esteem issues understanding
Education
Socialisation - (Childhood - adolescence when self-identity is highly influenced by peer interaction).
Social media behaviour - Individuals construct their online identity based on likes comments and followers.
Help to understand self-esteem issues - some people rely on external validation.
Education - Students shape self-perception based on feedback from teachers/peers.
(Paul Willis - Student subcultures)
Evaluation of Cooley - Positive
Useful in explaining complexities in society.
(better than structural theories)
Evaluation of Cooley - Negative
Origins of the label (structural factors)
Deterministic
Interactionism does not consider the origin of the label and how structural factors may have created it in the first place.
Deterministic - Assumes people actions are determined by how others see them.
(Some people reject labels put onto them)
(Example - black girls in schools)
What is Goffman’s Dramaturgical approach?
Compares social interactions to theatrical performance.
(Individuals play roles based on social expectations)
What are the Key concepts of the Dramaturgical approach?
Front/back stage behaviour
Impression management
Social roles/scripts
The performance.
Front/back stage behaviour - People behave differently depending whether they are in public or private.
Impression management - Try to control how others see them. (Behaviour adjusting)
Social roles/scripts - Actors follow a script.
Individuals follow societal norms during interactions.
The performance - Social interaction involves managing expressions tone and actions to fit the situation.
How can Cooley’s ideas be applied?
Everyday interactions
Social media behaviour
Customer service/professional environment
Understand deviance/stigma
Everyday interactions - people behave differently at work/school than at home.
Social media behaviour - Online presence carefully constructed and hide private self.
Work environments - Employees engage in impression management to maintain a positive image for the company.
Deviance/Stigma - Certain groups may struggle with managing impressions in society.
Evaluation of Cooley’s ideas - Positve
Realistic view
Individual agency
Social situations
Realistic view of social interactions - how people adapt based on context.
Individual agency - people actively construct their identity rather than being controlled by subcultures.
Analysing social situations
