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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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