social action theory

Question 1

they reject the determinism of structural theories

Answer 1

• since they emphasises on ‘individual free will’

Question 2

they take a micro approach

Answer 2

• they focus on individuals or small groups than the relationships between social structures

Question 3

interactionism examine how people interact with others

Answer 3

• they are interested in the meanings that people apply to the behaviour of others when interacting in social groups

Question 4

constant interaction and interpretation

Answer 4

• it is responsible for the social construction

Question 5

labelling theory

Answer 5

• most people engage in labelling when interacting with others

Question 6

labels are a from of shorthand symbolic classification

Answer 6

• so the social characteristic is unfairly applied to people because they judged to members of a group
• this can result in inequality since some groups are treated more favourably than others

Question 7

COOLEY: the looking glass self

Answer 7

• he argues that a crucial component of our ability to interact successfully with others is the ability to see ourselves through the eyes of others

Question 8

INTERPRETIVISTS: society as a social construction

Answer 8

• they believe that individuals are more important than social structures because its social structures are the net result of people choosing to come together in social groups and social meanings people apply to their interactions

Question 9

socially constructed means

Answer 9

• people are architects of society than being society’s puppets

Question 10

evaluation

Answer 10

+ produce valid data because interpretivist data speaks for itself (first hand words from those who are studied)

• fails to explain wider social context in small scale interaction takes place
• labelling involves power but social action theory rarely explains the origin of power