action theories
Introduction
can divide sociological theories into two broad types - structural theories and action
theories
STRUCTURAL
e.g. functionalism and marxism - macro (large scale), top down and deterministic
society is a real thing existing over and above us - shaping our ideas and behaviour
individuals are like puppets, manipulated by society
understanding of peoples behaviour comes from understanding the social structure
that shapes it
ACTION
e.g social action theory, symbolic interactionism - micro, bottom up and focus on the
actions and interactions of individuals - more voluntaristic (see us as having free will
and choice)
our actions are not determined by socierty - we are free agents
we shape and create society through our choices, meanings and actions
Max Weber - social action theory
saw both structural and action approaches as necessary for a full understanding of
human behaviour
the level of cause - explaining structural factors that shape peoples behaviour
(objective)
the level of meaning - understanding the meanings that individuals attatch to their
actions (subjective)
types of action
classification of meanings of actions into four types
Instrumentally rational action - where the actor calculates the most efficient means of
achieving a given goal
e.g. a capitalist may calculate that the most efficient way of maximising profit is to
pay low wages
not about whether the goal is desirable, just about the most efficient way of reaching
that goal
Value-rational action - involves action towards a goal that the actor regards as desirable for
its own sake
e.g. a bleiver worshipping their god in order to get to heavan
, there is no way of calculating whether the means of achieving the goal are effective
(unlike IRA)
Traditional action - involves customary, routine or habitual actions
Weber does not see this action as rational because no concious thought/choice has
gone into it
the actor does it 'because we have always done it'
Affectual action - action that expresses emotion
e.g. weeping out of giref, violence sparked out of anger
seen as imporant in religious and political movements - gain followers based on their
emotional appeal
Evaluation of Weber
valuable alternative to the over emphasis on structural factors seen in functionalism
and marxism
criticism
Schutz - argues that Weber's view of action is too individualistic and cannot explain
the shared nature of meanings - we share meanings e.g. raising a hand to get attention
(everyone else understands the meaning of it, not just the actor)
Weber's typology is difficult to apply - it does not fit all cultures
Weber advocated the use of verstehen of the actors subkective meaning - as we cannot
actually be that other person we can never be sure we have truly understood their
motives
Symbolic interactionism
focuses on our ability to create the social world through our actions and intentions
intentions are based on the meanings we give to situationa
G.H Mead
Symbols versus instincts
unlike animals, human behaviour is not shaped by fixed, pre programmed instincts
we respond to the world by giving meanings to the things that are significant to us
before we know how to respond to a stimulus, we have to interpret its meaning
Taking the role of the other
put ourselves in the place of the other person and seeing ourselves from their point of
view
this develops through social interaction
Introduction
can divide sociological theories into two broad types - structural theories and action
theories
STRUCTURAL
e.g. functionalism and marxism - macro (large scale), top down and deterministic
society is a real thing existing over and above us - shaping our ideas and behaviour
individuals are like puppets, manipulated by society
understanding of peoples behaviour comes from understanding the social structure
that shapes it
ACTION
e.g social action theory, symbolic interactionism - micro, bottom up and focus on the
actions and interactions of individuals - more voluntaristic (see us as having free will
and choice)
our actions are not determined by socierty - we are free agents
we shape and create society through our choices, meanings and actions
Max Weber - social action theory
saw both structural and action approaches as necessary for a full understanding of
human behaviour
the level of cause - explaining structural factors that shape peoples behaviour
(objective)
the level of meaning - understanding the meanings that individuals attatch to their
actions (subjective)
types of action
classification of meanings of actions into four types
Instrumentally rational action - where the actor calculates the most efficient means of
achieving a given goal
e.g. a capitalist may calculate that the most efficient way of maximising profit is to
pay low wages
not about whether the goal is desirable, just about the most efficient way of reaching
that goal
Value-rational action - involves action towards a goal that the actor regards as desirable for
its own sake
e.g. a bleiver worshipping their god in order to get to heavan
, there is no way of calculating whether the means of achieving the goal are effective
(unlike IRA)
Traditional action - involves customary, routine or habitual actions
Weber does not see this action as rational because no concious thought/choice has
gone into it
the actor does it 'because we have always done it'
Affectual action - action that expresses emotion
e.g. weeping out of giref, violence sparked out of anger
seen as imporant in religious and political movements - gain followers based on their
emotional appeal
Evaluation of Weber
valuable alternative to the over emphasis on structural factors seen in functionalism
and marxism
criticism
Schutz - argues that Weber's view of action is too individualistic and cannot explain
the shared nature of meanings - we share meanings e.g. raising a hand to get attention
(everyone else understands the meaning of it, not just the actor)
Weber's typology is difficult to apply - it does not fit all cultures
Weber advocated the use of verstehen of the actors subkective meaning - as we cannot
actually be that other person we can never be sure we have truly understood their
motives
Symbolic interactionism
focuses on our ability to create the social world through our actions and intentions
intentions are based on the meanings we give to situationa
G.H Mead
Symbols versus instincts
unlike animals, human behaviour is not shaped by fixed, pre programmed instincts
we respond to the world by giving meanings to the things that are significant to us
before we know how to respond to a stimulus, we have to interpret its meaning
Taking the role of the other
put ourselves in the place of the other person and seeing ourselves from their point of
view
this develops through social interaction
