Action Theories

Question 1

Briefly outline the position of action theories.

Answer 1

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Question 2

Briefly outline the two levels that an adequate sociological explanation involves, using the example of ‘The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism’.

Answer 2

• The level of cause:

- The level of meaning:

Question 3

Briefly outline Weber’s four types of action. Give an example of each type.

Answer 3

• Instrumentally rational action:
• Value-rational action:
• Traditional action:
• Affectual action:

Question 4

In what way does Weber’s view corect the over-emphasis on structural factors of other perspectives?

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Question 5

Briefly outline three criticisms of Weber.

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Question 6

What is the focus of symbolic interactionism?

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Question 7

According to Mead, how do we create meanings?

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Question 8

Briefly explain what is meant by the interpretive phase. Use an example to illustrate your explanation.

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Question 9

Briefly explain what is meant by ‘taking the role of the other’.

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Question 10

Define ‘significant other’.

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Question 11

Define ‘generalised other’.

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Question 12

According to Mead, what do we need in order for us to function as a member of society?

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Question 13

Briefly outline Blumer’s three key principles.

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Question 14

According to Blumer, why is our action partly predictable?

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Question 15

Briefly outline the following interactionist concept that underpins the labelling theory. Give an example to illustrate these concepts.
- The definition of the situation

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Question 16

Briefly outline the following interactionist concept that underpins the labelling theory. Give an example to illustrate these concepts.
- The looking glass self

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Question 17

Briefly outline the following interactionist concept that underpins the labelling theory. Give an example to illustrate these concepts.
- Career

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Question 18

Briefly explain why labelling theory is regarded as a voluntaristic theory.

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Question 19

Why might labelling theory be seen as deterministic?

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Question 20

What is meant by the dramaturgical model?

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Question 21

According to Goffman, how are we able to present a particular image of ourselves to our audience?

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Question 22

Give five examples of impression management techniques that social actors use.

Answer 22

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Question 23

Use examples to show what Goffman means by the following terms:

• Front stage
• Backstage

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Question 24

How does Goffman’s view of roles differ from that of functionalism?

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Question 25

Briefly explain what Goffman means by role distance. Why might it mean that social actor's role performances are cynical or calculating?

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Question 26

How does interactionism avoid the determinism of structural theories?

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Question 27

What do critics of interactionist theory say that it ignores?

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Question 28

Briefly outline Reynolds' criticism of interactionism.

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Question 29

Briefly outline a criticism of Weber's category of traditional action.

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Question 30

Briefly outline a criticism of Goffman's dramaturgical analogy.

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Question 31

What is meant in philosophy in 'phenomenon'?

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Question 32

According to Husserl, how do we impose meaning and order on the world?

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Question 33

Briefly outline what Schutz means by typifications.

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Question 34

Using an example, explain why meanings may be unclear.

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Question 35

Briefly explain how typifications stabilise and clarify meanings. Use an example to illustrate your explanation.

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Question 36

Briefly explain what Schutz means by 'recipe knowledge'.

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Question 37

Briefly explain what Schutz means by the 'natural attitude'. Use an example to illustrate your explanation.

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Question 38

Briefly explain Berger and Luckmann's criticism of Schutz.

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Question 39

According to Garfinkel, how is social order created?

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Question 40

How does Garfinkel's view differ from that of functionalists such as Parsons?

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Question 41

How does ethnomethodology differ from interactionism?

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Question 42

Briefly explain what Garfinkel means by indexicality.

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Question 43

Why is indexicality a threat to social order?

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Question 44

What is meant by reflexivity?

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Question 45

Why is language vital in achieving reflexivity?

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Question 46

Using an example, briefly explain what a 'breaching experiment' is.

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Question 47

According to Garfinkel, in what way do breaching experiments show that social order is not inevitable but an accomplishment?

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Question 48

How do coroners use reflexivity (commonsense knowledge) when classifying deaths as suicides?

Answer 48

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Question 49

According to Garfinkel, what is the effect on humans striving to impose order by seeking patterns?

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Question 50

Briefly outline Garfinkel's criticism of conventional sociology. How can his criticism be applied to Durkheim's theory of suicide?

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Question 51

Outline four criticisms of ethnomethodology.

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Question 52

Briefly outline the characteristics of structural theories.

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Question 53

Briefly outline the characteristics of action theories.

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Question 54

Briefly explain what Giddens means by duality of structure.

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Question 55

According to Giddens, what is structuration? Use an example to illustrate this concept.

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Question 56

Briefly outline the following elements of structure for Giddens: - Rules - Resources

Answer 56

- Rules: | - Resources:

Question 57

Briefly explain Giddens' two reasons why actions tend to reproduce structures.

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Question 58

Briefly explain two ways in which agency can change the structure of society.

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Question 59

According to Archer, why is Giddens wrong to imply that actors can change structures simply by deciding to do so? Use and example to illustrate your answer.

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Question 60

According to Craib, why is structuration theory not really a theory at all?

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