Weber: social action theory

• Max Weber (1864-1920) was one of the 'f____ f____' of sociology

• Weber saw both s____ and an____ approaches as necessary for a full understanding of human behaviour.

He argued that an adequate sociological explanation involves two levels:

1. The level of cause - what is this?

2. The level of meaning - what is this ?

Unless we account for both of these levels, our explanation will be i____ or f___.

Max Weber (1864-1920) was one of the 'founding fathers' of sociology

• Weber saw both structural and action approaches as necessary for a full understanding of human behaviour.

He argued that an adequate sociological explanation involves two levels:

1. The level of cause - explaining the objective structural factors that shape behaviour.

2. The level of meaning - understanding the subjective meanings that individuals attach to their actions.

Unless we account for both of these levels, our explanation will be incomplete or false.

• We can illustrate Weber's point of a full understanding of human behaviour referring to his study :The P____ E___ and the S____ of C___, originally published in 1905.

• At the level of structural cause, the P____ R____ introduced a new belief system, C____.

• This changed people's w____, which led to changes in their b____. For example, Calvinism promoted a work ethic that brought about what?

• At the level of subjective meaning, work took on a r____ meaning for the C____, as a calling by G____ to glorify his name through their labours.

• This motivated them to work s____. As a result they accumulated 2w____ and became the f___ m___ capitalists.

• in summary :

  • The structural change (Calvinism as a new religious system) creates a s____ environment where capitalism can grow.

  • The action level explains what?

  • So Weber doesn’t just look at society as f____ people to act (like Marxists might); he also looks at w___ individuals choose to act that way.

• We can illustrate Weber's point of a full understanding of human behaviour referring to his study :The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, originally published in 1905.

• At the level of structural cause, the Protestant Reformation introduced a new belief system, Calvinism.

• This changed people's worldview, which led to changes in their behaviour. For example, Calvinism promoted a work ethic that brought about the rise of capitalism.

• At the level of subjective meaning, work took on a religious meaning for the Calvinists, as a calling by God to glorify his name through their labours.

• This motivated them to work systematically. As a result they accumulated wealth and became the first modern capitalists.

• in summary :

  • The structural change (Calvinism as a new religious system) creates a social environment where capitalism can grow.

  • The action level explains how individual beliefs and motivations (working to glorify God) actually lead to the economic behaviours that build capitalism.

  • So Weber doesn’t just look at society as forcing people to act (like Marxists might); he also looks at why individuals choose to act that way.

Types of action

However, there are an infinite number of s____ meanings that actors may give to their actions. Weber attempts to classify actions into four types - what are 4 types?

Types of action

However, there are an infinite number of subjective meanings that actors may give to their actions. Weber attempts to classify actions into four types:

1. instrumentally rational action

2. value-rational action

3. traditional action

4. affectual action

Types of action →instrumentally rational action

• where the actor calculates the most e___ m___ of a___ a g___ g____

• For example, a capitalist choosing a career path that offers h___ e____ even if the job isn’t p____ f____ - Rational action is simply about the most e___ way of reaching that goal, whatever it may be.

Types of action →instrumentally rational action

• where the actor calculates the most efficient means of achieving a given goal.

• For example, a capitalist choosing a career path that offers high earnings even if the job isn’t personally fulfilling - Rational action is simply about the most efficient way of reaching that goal, whatever it may be.

Types of action →value-rational action

• involves action towards a goal that the actor regards as d___ for its own s___ (make yourself feel g___) - for example, w____ God in order to get to h____.

• Unlike instrumental rationality, there is no way of calculating what?

• For example, the believer has no way of knowing what??

• Value-rational action is driven by c____ to a b___ or v____, rather than by c____ success.

Types of action →value-rational action

• involves action towards a goal that the actor regards as desirable for its own sake (make yourself feel good) - for example, worshipping God in order to get to heaven.

• Unlike instrumental rationality, there is no way of calculating whether the means of achieving the goal are effective.

• For example, the believer has no way of knowing whether performing a particular ritual will gain them salvation.

• Value-rational action is driven by commitment to a belief or value, rather than by calculated success.

Types of action →Traditional action

• involves c_____, r____ or h____ actions which are seen as a____/n____

• Weber does not see this type of action as rational, - why not?

• e.g Saying “p____” and “t___ y___” you don’t a____ think about it, it’s just a___ behaviour

• Rather, the actor does it because 'we h___ a____ done it

Types of action →Traditional action

• involves customary, routine or habitual actions which are seen as automatic/normal

• Weber does not see this type of action as rational, because no conscious thought or choice has gone into it. - you do it unconsciously

• e.g Saying “please” and “thank you” you don’t actively think about it, it’s just automatic behaviour

• Rather, the actor does it because 'we have always done it

Types of action →Affectual action

• action that expresses e____ -

• for example, weeping out of grief, what is the action here?

• Weber sees affectual action as important where?

Types of action →Affectual action

• action that expresses emotion -

• for example, weeping out of grief, action = weeping

• Weber sees affectual action as important in religious and political movements with charismatic leaders who attract a following based on their emotional appeal.

Ao3a : what does Weber’s explanation of different types of action tell us?

• Weber’s explanation of different types of action shows that human behaviour is driven by the meanings individuals attach to their actions, rather than being purely determined by social structures.

• It highlights that people act based on a range of motives, including values, emotions, habits, and rational calculation.

Evaluation of Weber - ✓strengths

• ✓Weber's ideas are a valuable corrective to the o___-e____ on s____ factors that we see in f_____ and some forms of M____, and an affirmation that we must also understand a___' s___ m___ if we want to explain their actions a___.

Evaluation of Weber - ✓strengths

• ✓Weber's ideas are a valuable corrective to the over-emphasis on structural factors that we see in functionalism and some forms of Marxism, and an affirmation that we must also understand actors' subjective meanings if we want to explain their actions adequately.

Evaluation of Weber - ✘limitations

✘- S____ (1972) argues that Weber's view of action is too i__¥¥_ and cannot explain the s____ n__ of meanings.

• For example, when a person at an a____ raises their arm, they mean that they are making a b____ but Weber doesn't explain how everyone else present also comes to give this ___ the s___ meaning.

✘-Weber’s typology (classification system) of action is difficult to apply.

• For example, among the T____ Islanders, individuals exchange r___ gifts called “k____” with others on neighbouring islands.

• This could either be seen as traditional action (how)?, or it could be seen as instrumentally rational action (how)?,

• ✘-Weber advocated the use of verstehen or empathetic understanding of the actor's subjective meaning - where we put ourselves in the actor's place to understand their motives and meanings. However, as we cannot a____ be that other person, we can never be sure we have truly understood their m___.

Evaluation of Weber - ✘limitations

✘- Schutz (1972) argues that Weber's view of action is too individualistic and cannot explain the shared nature of meanings.

• For example, when a person at an auction raises their arm, they mean that they are making a bid but Weber doesn't explain how everyone else present also comes to give this gesture the same meaning.

✘-Weber’s typology (classification system) of action is difficult to apply.

• For example, among the Trobriand Islanders, individuals exchange ritual gifts called “kula” with others on neighbouring islands.

• This could either be seen as traditional action (habit-based behaviour done because it has always been done), or it could be seen as instrumentally rational action (goal-oriented behaviour based on calculation of the most effective means), because it is a good way of cementing trading links between kula partners.

• ✘-Weber advocated the use of verstehen or empathetic understanding of the actor's subjective meaning - where we put ourselves in the actor's place to understand their motives and meanings. However, as we cannot actually be that other person, we can never be sure we have truly understood their motives.