Social action theory

• What is social action theory-

  -Reject the view that people’s behaviour is the product of external forces which they have little control over

  -however they do argue that the attitudes and actions of others influence the way individuals think and behave
• Symbolic interaction-

  -People acquiring the knowledge about what is appropriate behaviour in particular situations

  e.g.-smiling no is symbolic behaviour that may be interpreted as social approval
• Socialisation and identity-

  -socialisation results in individuals acquiring a social identity

  -these are personality characteristics associated with certain social roles e.g.- mothers are expected to be loving and selfless

  -therefore women that are mothers will attempt to live up to this description and acquire this social identity
• Labelling theory-

  -Those in power determine what is right or wrong and are able to apply negative labels via mass media (moral panics), education (ideal student stereotype) to define behaviour as deviant.

  -Interactionists point out that labels can bring about self fulfilling prophecies
• Evaluation-

  -Fails to explore wider social factors that create the context the symbols and interactions exist e.g.- class, race, patriarchy

  -completely fails to explore power differences between groups
• 4 types of action (Weber)

  1. Instrumental rational action- social actors works out the most efficient way to achieve a goal
  2. Value rational action- action towards a goal is desirable for it's own sake
  3. Traditional action- Routine action that's done without though or choice
  4. Affectual action- action that expresses emotion
• Dramaturgical theory (Goffman)

  • Symbolic interactionism
  • we are actors using props to put on a convincing performance in our front stage
  • Actively constructing ourselves through other peoples impressions of us
  • We seek to control the presentation of self- give people a particular impression of us
  • To do this we must control our impression management, our roles are interchangeable - there are backstage roles where we can be ourselves and front stage roles where we act roles
• Blumer

  • symbolic interactionism
  • our actions are based on meanings we give to situations and are not instinctive
  • These meanings come from the interaction process, they aren't fixed and are changeable to an extent
  • The meanings we give to situations are dependent on the interpretive process we use, especially by taking a role of another (we must see ourselves as others do which helps us share symbols and language to act as others require us to)