Social action theory

• Social action theory

  A critical theory in sociology that holds that society is a construction of the interactions and meanings of its members
• Social action theory

  • Explains human behaviour at a microscopic, small-scale level to understand societal structures
  • Also known as interactionism
• Social action theory

  Differs from structural theories like Marxism, which view society as based on institutions that shape human behaviour
• Max Weber

  Sociologist who developed social action theory, which states that people create society, institutions, and structures, not the other way around
• Weber's approach to understanding human behaviour

  1. Interpretivist, subjective

  2. Focuses on understanding the meaning and motives behind social actions, not just observing them
• Social action

  An action behind which an individual attaches meaning, as opposed to an accidental or unconscious action
• Types of social action (according to Weber)

  • Instrumentally rational action (to achieve a goal)
  • Value rational action (to express a value)
  • Traditional action (out of habit)
  • Affective action (based on emotions)
• Weber used the example of Calvinism to show how social actions (e.g. work ethic, individualism) can lead to social change (e.g. promotion of capitalism)
• Social action theory

  A critical theory in sociology that holds that society is a construction of interactions and meanings given to it by its members. It explains human behaviour at a microscopic, small-scale level.
• Social action

  An action to which an individual attaches meaning
• Four types of social action

  • Instrumentally rational action
  • Value rational action
  • Traditional action
  • Affectional action
• Instrumentally rational action

  Action performed to efficiently achieve a goal (e.g. cutting vegetables to make a salad)
• Value rational action

  Action performed because it is desirable or expresses a value (e.g. a person enlisting as a soldier because they are patriotic)
• Traditional action

  Action that is done out of a custom or habit (e.g. going to church every Sunday because you have been doing it since childhood)
• Affectional action

  Action by which you express emotion(s) (e.g. hugging someone when you see them after a long time)
• Weber believed that understanding people's meanings and motivations helps in understanding their actions
• Calvinism and capitalism

  An example of social action leading to social change
• Social action theory recognises the effects of individual action, thereby allowing for large-scale structural change
• Social action theory does not view the individual as passive
• Social action theory may not cover all motivations for social action, and it ignores the effects of societal structures on individuals
• Social action theory

  A critical theory that holds that society is a construction of the interactions and meanings of its members. It explains human behaviour at a microscopic, small-scale level through which we can understand societal structures.
• Social action theory is different from structural theories like Marxism, which view society as based on institutions that govern human lives.
• Weber's view on social action theory

  People create and embed meaning into institutions, and society is made up of human behaviour, not the other way around.
• Social action

  • An action behind which an individual attaches meaning
  • Must take into account the behaviour of other people, as that contributes to the creation of meaning
• Aktuelles Verstehen (Direct understanding)

  Directly observing and understanding social actions
• Erklärendes Verstehen (Empathetic understanding)

  Understanding the meaning and motives behind the social action by putting ourselves in the shoes of the person
• Calvinism

  • Calvinists used their work ethic and individualistic values (social action) to promote capitalism (social change) in Western Europe in the 17th century
• Four types of social action

  • Instrumentally rational action
  • Value rational action
  • Traditional action
  • Affectional action
• Strengths of social action theory

  • Acknowledges individual agency and motivations for change
  • Allows for large-scale structural change
  • Views the individual as an active member and shaper of society
• Criticisms of social action theory

  • The case study of Calvinism may not be a good example
  • May be more motivations behind actions than the four types outlined by Weber
  • Ignores the effects of societal structures on the individual
• Social action theory


  A critical theory that holds that society is a construction of the interactions and meanings of its members
• Social action theory


  • Explains human behaviour at a microscopic, small-scale level through which we can understand societal structures
  • Also known as interactionism
• Social action theory vs structural theories


  Social action theory argues that society is made up of human behaviour and that people create and embed meaning into institutions, while structural theories are based on the idea that society is made up of institutions that shape human behaviour
• Max Weber


  Sociologist who developed social action theory
• Social action theory states that people create society, institutions, and structures, not the other way around</b>
• Social action


  An action behind which an individual attaches meaning
• Understanding (Aktuelles Verstehen)


  Directly observing and understanding social actions
• Understanding (Erklärendes Verstehen)


  Understanding the meaning and motives behind the social action by putting ourselves in the shoes of the person doing the social action
• Weber argues that we should interpret the lived experiences of others subjectively (through their own first-hand personal knowledge) rather than trying to understand how others think and feel objectively
• Calvinism, social action, and social change

  • Calvinists used their work ethic and individualistic values (social action) to promote capitalism (social change) in Western Europe in the 17th century