action theories

• How can Weber's concepts explain hooliganism?

  By analyzing structural factors and subjective meanings
• How can Weber's concepts explain unemployment?

  By examining structural causes and personal meanings
• What are four possible meanings of unemployment for a person?

  Loss of income, social stigma, identity crisis, opportunity for change
• What are the two broad types of sociological theories?

  • Structural theories
  • Action theories
• How do structural theories view society?

  As a real entity shaping individuals' behavior
• How do action theories differ from structural theories?

  They focus on individual actions and interactions
• What is the main focus of action theories?

  Actions and interactions of individuals
• What are the four action theories discussed?

  1. Weber’s social action theory
  2. Symbolic interactionism
  3. Phenomenology
  4. Ethnomethodology
• Who was Max Weber?

  One of the founding fathers of sociology
• What are the two levels of explanation in Weber's social action theory?

  Level of cause and level of meaning
• What does the level of cause refer to in Weber's theory?

  Objective structural factors shaping behavior
• What does the level of meaning refer to in Weber's theory?

  Subjective meanings individuals attach to actions
• What is the significance of Weber's study "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism"?

  It illustrates the interplay of structure and meaning
• How did Calvinism influence capitalism according to Weber?

  It promoted a work ethic leading to capitalism
• What is instrumentally rational action?

  Calculating efficient means to achieve a goal
• What is value-rational action?

  Action towards a goal regarded as desirable
• What characterizes traditional action?

  Customary actions without conscious thought
• What is affectual action?

  Action expressing emotion, like grief or anger
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Weber's ideas?

  Strengths:

  • Corrective to structural over-emphasis
  • Highlights subjective meanings in actions

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Too individualistic according to Schutz
  • Difficult to apply typology of action
• What is symbolic interactionism?

  A theory focusing on meanings in social interactions
• Where did symbolic interactionism first develop?

  University of Chicago
• How does Mead differentiate human behavior from animal behavior?

  Humans interpret meanings, animals respond instinctively
• What is a symbol according to Mead?

  Something that represents something else
• What is the interpretive phase in Mead's theory?

  Interpreting the meaning before responding
• How does Mead illustrate the difference between animal and human responses?

  Through the example of snarling dogs versus human gestures
• What is the role of 'taking the role of the other' in Mead's theory?

  It helps us interpret others' meanings
• How does social interaction develop our ability to see ourselves?

  Through imitative play and taking roles
• Who systematized Mead's ideas after his death?

  Herbert Blumer
• What are the three key principles identified by Blumer?

  Meanings shape actions, arise from interactions, and are interpretive
• How does Blumer's view contrast with functionalism?

  Blumer emphasizes negotiation and choice in actions
• What is labelling theory?

  A theory examining the effects of labels on behavior
• What is the definition of the situation in labelling theory?

  A label that influences how we act
• What does the looking glass self describe?

  How we develop our self-concept through others' perceptions
• What is a self-fulfilling prophecy in labelling theory?

  When labels influence individuals to act accordingly
• How do labelling theorists view the concept of career?

  As stages influenced by societal labels
• What is Goffman's dramaturgical model?

  A framework analyzing social interaction through drama analogies
• How does Goffman describe individuals in social interactions?

  As actors manipulating impressions of themselves
• What does Goffman's concept of 'backstage' refer to?

  Resting between performances in social interactions
• What challenge might ex-patients face upon discharge?

  Reintegration into society
• How can a 'mental patient' label affect an individual?

  It may become their master status