Action Theories

Question 1

Webers levels of cause

Answer 1

1 - cause (explaining the structural factors that shape peoples behaviour)

2 - meaning (individual meaning to something)

This is for all actions in society, e.g. gift giving

Question 2

Webers 4 types of action

Answer 2

• instrumental rational action (efficient way to achieve a goal)
• value rational action (goal is desirable for it’s own sake)
• traditional action (routine, tradition)
• effectual (emotional)

Question 3

Evaluation of Weber

Answer 3

• not all behaviours fit into one category & not all behaviours fall into a category
• some things are just impulsive not thought out processes based on feelings

Question 4

What is verstehen

Answer 4

Empathy, to put yourself in someones shoes, this is crucial to understand social groups and behaviours

Question 5

Phenomonology

Answer 5

Based on Husserls view that we make sense of the world by giving everything meanings, we then catergorise and give names to them. e.g. chair = four legged furniture to sit in

Shutz - calls the catergories typifications. and meanings depends on social context. e.g. hand up in class and at auction differ.

Question 6

Berger and Luckman

Answer 6

Although things are socially constructed, they have external forms. e.g. religion is made up by now lives on externally as churches etc.

Question 7

Ethnomethodology

Answer 7

Garfinkel - social order is created through meanings

indexicality - things are always unclear. nothing is fixed meaning due to context. WE CANT JUST ASSUME MEANINGS but we do this all the time? Reflexivity allows this to be ok

Reflexivity - constantly re-evaluate shit based on context to act accoridingly

Garfinkel sees social order as an accomplishment that we all achieve