Social action theories. Flashcards
P1: What is Weber’s main argument about human behaviour?
Weber argues that human behaviour is shaped by individual meanings and motivations, not just external structures.
What is “Verstehen,” and how does it relate to social action theory?
“Verstehen” means empathetic understanding, where sociologists must put themselves in the position of individuals to understand their actions and motivations.
What is value-rational action, and give an example.
Value-rational action is behaviour based on beliefs, such as religious practices. Example: Protestants working hard due to their religious beliefs (Protestant Ethic).
What is the Marxist critique of Weber’s theory?
Marxists argue that Weber ignores how social structures (e.g., capitalism) shape beliefs and behaviours. Althusser (1971) claims individuals are controlled by ideological state apparatuses like education and media.
Why is Weber’s theory considered useful?
It highlights individual agency and shows how different motivations (e.g., religious beliefs) shape human behaviour.
P2: What is symbolic interactionism, and who developed it?
Symbolic interactionism, developed by Mead (1934), focuses on how people construct reality through interactions and shared symbols.
What is Goffman’s “Dramaturgical Model”?
Goffman (1959) compares social interactions to a play, where people act as performers, adjusting behaviour based on the social setting (“front stage” vs. “backstage”).
How does labelling theory apply to education?
Becker (1963) shows how teachers label students (e.g., “bright” or “troublemaker”), influencing their self-perception and leading to self-fulfilling prophecies.
Why is symbolic interactionism useful in explaining human behaviour?
It explains micro-level interactions and how individuals create their own realities through shared meanings and symbols.
Unlike structural theories, which assume fixed societal roles (e.g., proletariat vs. bourgeoisie), symbolic interactionism explains how people actively negotiate their identities.
What is the functionalist critique of symbolic interactionism?
Functionalists argue it ignores wider social structures, such as how institutions like education maintain social order. Durkheim (1893) claims society shapes individuals through shared norms and values.
