social action theories Flashcards
1
Q
What are structural theories?
A
- macro theories which focus on the institutions of society because these dictates our norms and values and thus determine our behaviour
- functionalism and marxism
2
Q
What are social action theories?
A
- micro approach that focuses on individuals
- focus on individuals and the way they interact with eachother. The reason for this is that they believe we interpret and negotiate with others over norms and values
3
Q
What are the main features of action theories?
A
- society and social structures/institutions are socially constructed
- people have free will to do things and form their own identities
- prefer to research on small groups on individuals
- peoples behaviour is driven by their beliefs, meaning and emotions given to the situation
4
Q
What do social action theorists emphasise?
A
- emphasise the role of the active individual and interactions betweem people in shaping personal identity and in turn wider society
5
Q
What is Weber’s theory (social action theory)
A
- human behaviour can only be understood if you know the context
- classifies action into 4 types:
- instrumentally rational action – the actor calculates the most efficient means of achieving a given goal
- value rational action – action towards a goal that is desirable for ones own sake
- traditional action – customes, habitual actions which are often automatic
- affectual action – action which expresses emotion
6
Q
What is an evalution of Weber (action theories)
A
- weber is too individualistic and fails to explain how meaning is shared between people
7
Q
What are the three theories associated with symbolic interactionism?
A
- labelling theory – thomas
- dramaturgical model – goffman
- taking the role of the other – mead
8
Q
What is labelling theory (social action theories)?
A
- if we believe a label to be true, this belief will affect the way we act
- thomas
- defining a situation as real will have real consequences
9
Q
What is the dramaturgical model (social action theories)
A
- people use presentation of self and impression management to control how we come across
- the roles we play in society are loosely scripted and we have freedom and choice in when and how we play them
- goffman
10
Q
What is the taking the role of the other theory?
A
- we see ourselves through the eyes of the other
- we judge our behaviour on how the other interpret the meaning
11
Q
What is Phenomenology?
A
- Schutz – the social world is experienced by us through our senses. We experience someone by meeting them and Schutz believes we give them a typification which helps provide order to the world
- social world is only possible when people share the same meanings
12
Q
What is Ethnomethodology?
A
- Garfinkel – social order is created from the bottom up
- a sociologist’s job is to uncover the rules that govern our lives, which are sometimes hidden or taken for granted
13
Q
What does Gidden believe (action theories)
A
- the whole action vs structure debate on human behaviour is a waste of time
- its a combo of both
- one cannot exist without the other and calls this relationship structuration
14
Q
What is an evaluation of action theory?
A
- marxists believe that action theorists ignore the impact of capitalism. people have little choice in their actions as they are constantly oppressed
- feminists believe action theorists ignore the power of patriachy. Women need to be studied on a large scale to address social inequalities
- functionalists believe tht action theorists diregard the influence on social structures, particularly the family