Social Action Theories

    Cards (24)

    • What are Weber's 4 types of action:
      • instrumental action
      • value rational action
      • traditional action
      • affectual action
    • verstehen- empathy, understanding social groups by 'walking in their shoes'
    • Weber uses verstehen to refer to the attempts of sociologists to understand human action. Should look at the level of cause and level of meaning.
    • symbolic interactionism- people's self concepts are based on their understanding of how others perceive them.
      Cooley describes this as 'looking glass self'
    • Mead argues that symbolic interactionism means that human interactions are symbolic and the understanding of interpreting them is what allows society's members to function.
    • Goffman's dramaturgical model:
      Goffman suggests that our lives are like a theoretical performance where we are social actors and are constantly changing characters.
      Impression management- our social self is an act and is a false representation of ourselves.
    • Becker's labelling theory which focuses on the labels attached to people an the impact is has on people demonstrates society is constructed through interactions.
      People with more power can impose labels.
    • evaluation of weber:
      • Schutz says that his views of action are too individualistic an doesn't explain shared meanings.
      • it is impossible to put yourself into someone else's shoes and verstehen cannot be truly achieved.
    • What does Schutz say about understanding others?
      It involves putting yourself in their perspective
    • Who proposed the dramaturgical model?
      Goffman
    • How does Goffman describe our lives?
      As a theatrical performance
    • What does Labelling Theory focus on?
      How meanings imposed can have consequences
    • What does Labelling Theory suggest about power dynamics?
      Those in power impose meanings more easily
    • What does Weber believe modern societies prioritize?
      Efficiency and productivity
    • What are the four types of action according to Weber?
      1. Instrumental action
      2. Traditional action
      3. Affective action
      4. Value-rational action
    • What is instrumental action in Weber's theory?
      Action aimed at achieving specific goals
    • What does affectual action express?
      Emotions
    • What is verstehen in the context of social action?
      Empathy and understanding of social groups
    • How does Mead view human behavior?
      As symbolic and interpretative
    • What role do shared symbols play according to Mead?
      They allow members to communicate effectively
    • What are the two types of action defined in the study material?
      • Traditional action: Routine, habitual actions
      • Affective action: Actions expressing emotions
    • What does the term "social action" refer to?
      Actions influenced by social contexts
    • How should human behavior be understood according to the study material?
      By examining causes and levels of meaning
    • What is the significance of subjective and objective meanings in understanding human action?
      • Subjective: Individual interpretations and meanings
      • Objective: External, observable factors influencing actions
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