Structuralism And Social Action Flashcards
Define structuralism
Where society shapes and determines human behaviour, our thoughts and feelings.
Define social action and give an example
Where individuals have the potential to reshape society
Eg. Rebellion against the government, achieved status, changing religion, democracy.
What makes humans different to other mammals that allows us to change?
Reflective self consciousness
What type of sociological theory is structuralism, and what does that mean?
Macro sociological theory - looks at human culture in relation the larger society.
What does structuralism say about the nature of social interaction?
Social interaction is a predetermined pattern of behaviour.
Define human agency
The ability for individuals to exercise their own free will
What do social structures do in terms of human agency?
Social structures reduce human agency and the decisions we make (gender, ethnicity, age, religion, class)
Define social structure
Material, political and symbolic resources utilised in an interaction to produce structure to social relations
What type of theory is social action, and what does this mean?
Micro sociological theory - focuses on the statuses of individuals
What does Giddeon’s theory of structuralisation (1979) suggest?
That social action and structuralism are co-dependant. He calls this the duality of structure - structures make social action possible, social action creates structures.
What is one criticism of social action theory?
That it over emphasises the ability for individuals to influence social structures simply by behaving differently.
Define bureaucracies
Where individuals carry out national social actions to achieve their goals
Define nationalisation
How modern society evolves into national social action
