Social Action Theories

• What is the focus of social action theories?

  Meanings and motivations of individuals
• How do social action theories differ from structural theories?

  They take a bottom-up approach to society
• What does agency refer to in social action theories?

  The ability to make independent choices
• What type of sociology do social action theories represent?

  Micro sociology
• How do social action theories view society?

  As constructed by individual behaviors
• What are some key social action theories mentioned?

  • Max Weber's social action theory
  • Symbolic interactionism
  • Labeling theory
  • Phenomenology
  • Ethnomethodology
• What did Max Weber focus on in his social action theory?

  The motivations behind social actions
• What did Weber argue was the driving force behind capitalism?

  Belief systems like Protestantism
• What are the three factors Weber suggested influence people's actions?

  Rationality, tradition, and emotions
• How does effective action relate to an individual's emotional state?

  It is based on their emotional state at the time
• What is traditional action according to Weber?

  Actions based on customs and practices
• What is rational action in Weber's theory?

  Assessing costs and benefits of actions
• What is phenomenology concerned with?

  Structures of consciousness from a first-person view
• Who is associated with the concept of typifications in phenomenology?

  Alfred Schutz
• What do typifications help individuals understand?

  Objects, activities, and ideas in society
• How did Douglas contribute to the study of suicide?

  By examining coroner's decision-making processes
• What is ethnomethodology?

  The study of people's actions in social contexts
• Who was an early practitioner of ethnomethodology?

  Harold Garfinkel
• What is the documentary method in ethnomethodology?

  A process to see patterns of behavior
• What are breaching experiments used for in ethnomethodology?

  To study reactions to disrupted social norms
• What was Garfinkel's famous breaching experiment?

  The lodger experiment
• What does indexicality refer to in Garfinkel's work?

  The ability to draw meanings from situations
• How have social action theories contributed to contemporary society?

  By focusing on individual meanings and motivations
• What is the relevance of Weber's work on bureaucracy today?

  It helps understand organizational management
• How has labeling theory impacted education and crime?

  It enhances understanding of social interactions
• What criticisms do social action theories face?

  They ignore power structures and larger issues
• What is a major limitation of social action research?

  Its subjective nature can reduce validity
• What is the purpose of social action research?

  To explore lives of underrepresented individuals
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of social action theories?

  Strengths:

  • Focus on individual experiences
  • Emphasizes meanings and motivations

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Ignore power structures
  • Underestimate structural factors
  • Subjective nature reduces validity