Topic 8: Action theories Flashcards
what are action theories
- start from the opposite to structural theories
- micro level - bottom up focus on actions/interactions of individuals
- more voluntaristic approach; individuals have free choice/will less deterministic
what are the 4 actions theories
- Weber’s social action theory
- symbolic interactionism
- phenomenology
- ethnomethodology
Briefly outline the two levels that an adequate sociological explanation involves
- level of cause- what are the objective structural factors that shape behaviours (eg class/age/ ethnicity)
- the level of meaning- understanding the subjective meanings that individuals attach to their actions
unless we account for both of these levels, our explanation will be incomplete or false
how is Weber’s point (adequate sociological explaining involving two levels) illustrated
We can illustrate Weber’s point by referring to his study the protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism:
The protestant reformation introduced a new belief system; Calvinism - this changed peoples world view and lead to changes in behaviour. This was the structural cause.
At the level of subjective meanings - work had religious meanings for the Calvinists as a call from God as a result they gained wealth and became the first capitalists
Briefly outline Weber’s four types of action and explain two
- instrumental rational action=where the actor calculates the most efficient means of achieving a goal eg capitalist calculates the most efficient way of achieving profit to pay low wages (doesn’t not have to be a moral goal)
- value rational action =action towards a goal that the actor regards as desirable for its own sake - worshipping God to get to heaven. There is no way of knowing if you have achieved your goal
- traditional action
- affectual action
Briefly outline three criticisms of Weber.
- Weber’s typology of action is difficult to apply
- advocates for the rule of vestehen where we put ourselves in the actors place to understand their motives and meanings. But we cannot actually be the other person never sure we have understood motives
+ corrects structural views ideas which place too much emphasises on capitalism, stresses we must understand actors meanings if we want to explain their actions
What is the focus of symbolic interactionism?
focuses on our ability to create the social world through our actions and interactions. Sees these interactions based on the meanings we give situations. conveys these meanings through symbols and language
According to Mead, how do we create meanings?
behaviour is not fixed we respond to the world by giving meanings to the things that are significant to us. Create a world of meanings
Briefly explain what is meant by the interpretive phase. Use an example to illustrate your explanation.
stimulus and how we respond to it - before we know how we respond we have to interpret its meaning. Once this is done we can choose an appropriate response
eg a dog snarling creates a snarling response from another dog - the snarl acts as a direct stimulus - the second dog responds instinctively - there is no conscious understanding or interpreting of the snarl
Briefly explain what is meant by ‘taking the role of the other’.
meads view - putting ourselves in the place of the other person and seeing our selves as they see us
at first we see ourselves as our parents see us later wee see ourselves from the point of view of the wider community - the generalised other
This ability develops through interaction and shared symbols eg language
Briefly outline Blumer’s three key principles.
- our actions are based on meanings we give to situations, people etc. They are not automatic response to stimuli
- these meanings arise from interactions and are to some extent negotiable and changeable
- the meanings we give situations are the result of the interpretive procedures
According to Blumer, why is our action partly predictable?
because we internalise the expectations of others there is always room for some choice in how we perform our roles
how does Blumer’s view of human conduct contrast with functionalist views of human conduct
functionalists see people as puppets, while Blumer argues that we have some choice in what we do
Briefly outline the following interactionist concepts that underpin labelling theory: definition of situation
defining something is a label for that thing. Thomas -m defining something as real has real consequences. We believe something to be true which will affect our behaviour which will have consequences for those involved. self fulfilling prophecy
Briefly outline the following interactionist concepts that underpin labelling theory: looking glass self
Cooley- ourself concept arises out of our ability to take the role of the other. Others act as a looking glass to us; we see our self mirrored in how they respond to us and we become what they see
