Theories and Methods
Topic 2 – Action theories
Action theories
Types of action theories - Social action theory
- Symbolic Interactionist
- Phenomenology
- Ethnomethodology
- Structure and action
Structural theories
Key concepts - Take a macro approach (look at the bigger
picture)
- Take a top-down approach (higher authority
figures determine larger goals that filters
down to lower level members of society)
- Deterministic: assumes that our actions are
determined by society
- No human possess agency (society shapes the
individual)
Theories - Functionalism
- Marxism
- Feminism
Social Action theories
Key concepts - Take a micro approach
- Take a bottom-up approach (all research starts
with the individuals before it expands to wider
society)
- Focuses on the interactions of individuals
- Voluntaristic: our actions are not determined
by society, but free will
- Human possess agency (individuals shape
society through choices/meaning)
Weber Saw both structural and action approaches as
necessary for understanding human behaviour
Argues that an adequate explanation involves 2 levels
2 levels of sociological explanation - The level of cause
- The level of meaning
We need to account for both levels for the explanation
to be complete and true
The level of cause Explaining objective structural factors that shapes
people’s behaviour
, The level of meaning Understanding subjective meanings which individuals
attach to their actions
“The Protestant Work Ethic and The His point is conveyed in his study:
Spirit of Capitalism” - The level of structural cause observes how the
Protestant reformation introduced a new
belief system (Calvinism), which changed
people’s worldview/behaviour and led to a
growth of structural change (capitalism)
- The level of subjective meaning observes how
work took on a holy meaning – striving to
please God – which motivated them to work
systematically and in turn accumulate wealth
(becoming the first modern capitalists)
Subjective meanings There are infinitive number of subjective meanings
They can be classified into 4 types:
- Instrumentally rational action
- Value-rational action
- Traditional action
- Affectual action
Instrumentally rational action Where the actor calculates the most efficient means of
achieving a given goal
It’s not about the most desirable way but the most
rational actions
Value-rational action Action towards a goal that the actor regards as
desirable (without knowledge as to whether it will
help/work)
Traditional action Customs, routine or habitual actions – no rational or
conscious thoughts
Affectual action Actions that express emotion
Eg. Important in religious/political movements
Strengths - Valuable corrective to Functionalism and
forms of Marxism which over-emphasise
structural factors
- Understands subjective meanings: affirmation
that we must recognise people’s subjective
meanings if we wish to explain their actions
adequately
Weaknesses - Typology of action is difficult to apply (eg.
Trobriand Islanders)
- Empathetic understanding of the actor’s
subjective meaning: we cannot actually be the
other person because we can never be sure
we have truly understood their motives
Topic 2 – Action theories
Action theories
Types of action theories - Social action theory
- Symbolic Interactionist
- Phenomenology
- Ethnomethodology
- Structure and action
Structural theories
Key concepts - Take a macro approach (look at the bigger
picture)
- Take a top-down approach (higher authority
figures determine larger goals that filters
down to lower level members of society)
- Deterministic: assumes that our actions are
determined by society
- No human possess agency (society shapes the
individual)
Theories - Functionalism
- Marxism
- Feminism
Social Action theories
Key concepts - Take a micro approach
- Take a bottom-up approach (all research starts
with the individuals before it expands to wider
society)
- Focuses on the interactions of individuals
- Voluntaristic: our actions are not determined
by society, but free will
- Human possess agency (individuals shape
society through choices/meaning)
Weber Saw both structural and action approaches as
necessary for understanding human behaviour
Argues that an adequate explanation involves 2 levels
2 levels of sociological explanation - The level of cause
- The level of meaning
We need to account for both levels for the explanation
to be complete and true
The level of cause Explaining objective structural factors that shapes
people’s behaviour
, The level of meaning Understanding subjective meanings which individuals
attach to their actions
“The Protestant Work Ethic and The His point is conveyed in his study:
Spirit of Capitalism” - The level of structural cause observes how the
Protestant reformation introduced a new
belief system (Calvinism), which changed
people’s worldview/behaviour and led to a
growth of structural change (capitalism)
- The level of subjective meaning observes how
work took on a holy meaning – striving to
please God – which motivated them to work
systematically and in turn accumulate wealth
(becoming the first modern capitalists)
Subjective meanings There are infinitive number of subjective meanings
They can be classified into 4 types:
- Instrumentally rational action
- Value-rational action
- Traditional action
- Affectual action
Instrumentally rational action Where the actor calculates the most efficient means of
achieving a given goal
It’s not about the most desirable way but the most
rational actions
Value-rational action Action towards a goal that the actor regards as
desirable (without knowledge as to whether it will
help/work)
Traditional action Customs, routine or habitual actions – no rational or
conscious thoughts
Affectual action Actions that express emotion
Eg. Important in religious/political movements
Strengths - Valuable corrective to Functionalism and
forms of Marxism which over-emphasise
structural factors
- Understands subjective meanings: affirmation
that we must recognise people’s subjective
meanings if we wish to explain their actions
adequately
Weaknesses - Typology of action is difficult to apply (eg.
Trobriand Islanders)
- Empathetic understanding of the actor’s
subjective meaning: we cannot actually be the
other person because we can never be sure
we have truly understood their motives
