Action Theories

• What are the main types of Action Theories?

  Social Action Theory, Symbolic Interactionism, Phenomenology, Ethnomethodology
• What is the focus of Action Theories?

  • Micro approach
  • Individual actions and interactions create society
  • Society is constructed from the bottom up
• How do Action Theories differ from Functionalists, Feminists, and Marxists regarding individual behavior?

  They believe individuals have free will and choice
• How do Action Theories view society?

  As socially constructed by individuals
• How can dysfunctional interactions in families affect mental health?

  Through negative labelling of children
• How is crime and deviance viewed in Action Theories?

  As socially constructed and culturally relative
• What does Max Weber's Social Action Theory emphasize?

  Both structural and action approaches are necessary
• What are the two levels of sociological explanation according to Weber?

  Level of cause and level of meaning
• How did the Protestant Reformation influence capitalism according to Weber?

  It promoted a work ethic that changed behavior
• What is the subjective meaning of work for Calvinists?

  It is a calling by God to glorify Him
• What type of action involves calculating the most efficient means to achieve a goal?

  Instrumentally rational action
• What is affectual action according to Weber?

  Expressions of emotion like grief or anger
• What is a criticism of Weber's approach to social action?

  It is too individualistic and ignores shared meanings
• What does the concept of verstehen refer to in Weber's theory?

  Empathic understanding of subjective meanings
• How does G.H. Mead differentiate human behavior from animal behavior?

  Humans give meanings to significant things
• What is a symbol according to Mead?

  A representation of something else
• What is the interpretive phase in human response?

  Interpreting meaning before responding
• How does labelling theory relate to interactionism?

  It defines situations with real consequences
• What is the looking glass self in labelling theory?

  Self-concept develops from others' perceptions
• How do children learn to see themselves according to Mead?

  Through imitative play with significant others
• What are Blumer's three key principles of interactionism?

  Meanings are based on interactions, negotiable, and arise from interpretation
• How do structural theories oppose Mead and Blumer's views?

  They see individuals as puppets of the system
• What does phenomenology agree with regarding society?

  Society is created by individuals, not objective
• How does context affect the meaning of events according to phenomenology?

  Meaning varies based on social context
• What is the role of typifications in society?

  They help classify the world and share meanings
• How does ethnomethodology view social order?

  As actively constructed by society members
• What is reflexivity in ethnomethodology?

  Using commonsense knowledge to create meaning
• What is indexicality in communication?

  Meanings depend on the situation
• What is a criticism of ethnomethodology?

  It uncovers common sense rules that are obvious
• How does Goffman's dramaturgical model describe the self?

  As actively constructed through interactions
• What is impression management according to Goffman?

  Monitoring and adjusting performance for others
• What is the gap Goffman describes between the real self and roles?

  Roles are loosely defined, allowing freedom
• How do Functionalists view roles in society?

  As tightly scripted and internalized through socialization
• What do Action Theories fail to recognize according to structural theorists?

  The social structures that constrain behavior
• How do Functionalists view social control?

  As ensuring conformity to norms and values
• What do Marxists criticize interactionists for focusing on?

  Face-to-face interactions while ignoring class inequality
• What is a limitation of Goffman's dramaturgical theory?

  Interactions are often improvised and unrehearsed
• How do Action Theories avoid determinism?

  By recognizing individual choices in society creation
• What does Giddens' structuration theory combine?

  Structural and Action theories together
• How do actions produce and change structures over time?

  Through deliberate choices in society