Integrated approaches- Combining Structure and Action

Question 1

Idea

Answer 1

Middle way between structuralism and action theories recognises importance of both constraints of social structure and possibilities for choice. IRL society probably best understood using mixture of both structural and action approaches.

Question 2

Weber’s sociology

Answer 2

Doesn’t fit neatly into either structuralist or action approaches, often regarded as original social action theorist and used verstehen in his concepts. Recognises individual choice and rejects structuralist theories. Didn’t dismiss importance of social structures as thought it influenced peoples ideas, shaped lives.

Question 3

Verstehen

Answer 3

Idea of understanding human behaviour by putting yourself in position of those being studied and trying to see things from their point of view.

Question 4

How weberian sociology combines structure and action approaches

Answer 4

Full understanding of society and human behaviour involving both analysis of structural factors and role of subjective meanings people attach to behaviour.

Question 5

Giddens theory of structuration

Answer 5

Attempt to combine structure and action which he regards as two parts to the same process. Depend on each other and structures only exist because of people’s actions and people only act because structures enable meaningful actions to take place.

Question 6

What does Giddens theory suggest?

Answer 6

That existence of social structure, including social institutions, beliefs, values and traditions provides people with framework of rules and established ways of doing things that enable them to live in society and at same time reproducing structure.
Can also change structure by ignoring or modifying or replacing rules.
Shaped by society but can shape society

Question 7

Structuration

Answer 7

Two-way process by which people are constrained or shaped by society and social institutions but can at same time take action to support, shape and change them.

Question 8

Reflexivity

Answer 8

Way knowledge people gain about society can affect way they behave as people (and institutions) reflect on what they do and how they do it.

Question 9

Evaluation

Answer 9

Criticised by structuralists for overstating capacity of individuals to change society’s social structures and under-estimating capacity of people to change society.