Max Weber: Social action theory Flashcards
1
Q
Social Action theory
A
- Weber saw both structural/action approaches as necessary for a full understanding of human behaviour
- Adequate explanation involves: the level of cause and meaning
- At the structural cause - the protestant reformation introduced calvinism, changed people’s worldview and behaviour
- At subjective level - work took on religious meaning
2
Q
What types of action are there?
A
- Instrumentally rational
- Value- rational
- Traditional
- Affectual
3
Q
Instrumentally rational?
A
Person calculates most efficient means of achieving a goal, not about whether goal is desirable, simply the most efficient way of reaching it
4
Q
Value rational?
A
Action to a goal that a person regards as desirable for its own sake, no way of calculating whether its effective
5
Q
Traditional?
A
Customary/routine action, not rational
6
Q
Affectual?
A
Expressing emotion such as weeping, impactful in politics
7
Q
Evaluation?
A
- Schtuz:
-Weber’s view of action is too individualistic and cannot explore the shred nature of meanings - Typology difficult to apply e.g. Tribriand Islanders exchanged gifts called ‘kula’, can be seen as traditional or instrumentally rational
