Action Theorists see individuals as social actors who act rather than react
People make own choices + take own action instead of being controlled by social structure + reacting to it. Society constructed from people's meanings, interpretations etc. Micro-theories - look at individuals
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Action theories see social order as a social construct
Part of everyday life, which is a series of interpretations. Not generated by institutions. Product of individuals' minds. People want to believe there's order, therefore behave in a way that convinces them there is e.g. being polite.
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Action theories reject the idea that sociology is objective
Can't predict people's behaviour. People can react to external stimulation differently each time due to different circumstances + personal opinion. Not an objective science. People attach different labels to different meanings on same action
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Three important action theories
Social action theory (Weber), symbolic interactionism (Mead, 1934 + Blumer, 1969), + ethnomethodology (Garfinkel, 1967)
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Three important action theories - Social action theory (Weber)
Needs both structural (Marxism) and Action approaches. Human behaviour described on 2 levels: cause + meaning. Tried to categories different meanings into 4 types of action: instrumentally rational, value-rational, traditional + affectual
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Three important action theories - Symbolic interactionism (Mead, 1934)
Claimed human interaction symbolic. Gap allowing for interpretation of signal - put themselves in your position to respond - 'taking the role of the other'. Learn to interpret through social interaction
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Three important action theories - Symbolic interactionism (Blumer, 1969)
Actions not instinctive - based on meanings. Meaning come from ways we relate to others - can change. Mostly relate to others by taking the role of the other
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Three important action theories - Ethnomethodology (Garfinkel, 1967)
Sees society as created from bottom up. Not objective structure, construct through behaviour. Studies methods to create meanings. Meaning always potentially unclear, dependent on context - indexicality. Reflexivity - common sense decides meanings
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Structuration combines Structuralism and Social Action (Giddens, 1984;1987)
Socio's should look at interactions and social structures that influence this. People should conform to rules as a lot of actions depend on these social structures, but structures also dependent on people living by them - can be changed by actions
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Part of everyday life, which is a series of interpretations. Not generated by institutions. Product of individuals' minds. People want to believe there's order, therefore behave in a way that convinces them there is e.g. being polite.
Back
Action theories see social order as a social construct
Card 3
Front
Can't predict people's behaviour. People can react to external stimulation differently each time due to different circumstances + personal opinion. Not an objective science. People attach different labels to different meanings on same action
Back
Card 4
Front
Social action theory (Weber), symbolic interactionism (Mead, 1934 + Blumer, 1969), + ethnomethodology (Garfinkel, 1967)
Back
Card 5
Front
Needs both structural (Marxism) and Action approaches. Human behaviour described on 2 levels: cause + meaning. Tried to categories different meanings into 4 types of action: instrumentally rational, value-rational, traditional + affectual
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