SOCIAL ACTION THEORY Flashcards
Outline the principles of social action theory’s
They argue that society is essentially constructed through people’s meanings and interpretations as opposed to the Marxist view of society being controlled by the ruling class. They look at the actions of individuals emphasising the free will and choice of people which constructs society.
What did Weber think the main role of sociologists was to do?
To discover verstehen - the subjective meanings individuals attach to their behaviour
Who was symbolic interactionism developed by
Mean and bluer
Outline symbolic interactionism
Symbolic interactionism refers to the process whereby people acquire knowledge about what is appropriate behaviour in different situations. Mead argued that the world is made up of many different symbols which are not fixed but have meanings which shape our behaviour. For example, a kiss is interpreted and responded to depending on the context.
Outline cooleys glass looking self include quote
The idea that the image of ourselves is reflected back to us in the views of others. ‘I am what I think you think I am’. We might modify our behaviour in accordance with what people see
Who developed the labelling theory and when was it developed
Becker in 1961
Outline the labelling theory
Developed from symbolic interactionism and explores how agents of control may apply negative labels in the process of interactions. For example, the police force often label young black youths negatively. This can effect self esteem and can often lead to a self fulfilling prophecy where the label is accepted by the group and acted out.
Who developed the dramaturgical approach?
Geoffman
Outline the dramaturgical approach
Peoples lives are essentially performances on the stage of society whereby one can assert different identity in order to dictate the way they want to be perceived.
Outline phenomenology
Phenomenology concerns itself with how members of society use shared categories in order to make sense of the world. For example, common sense does not really exist. However, it is in place to make the world seem ordered.
Give one advantage of social action theory
Recognised that humans create and recognise meaning and makes sense of the world by interacting with others
Give one disadvantage of social action theory
Struggles to explain conflict and power as is assumes that human behaviour is generally cooperative
