Social action theory , interactinoalist , postmodernist

What are the five features of social action theory?

social structures are social constructions people have free will micro approach behaviour is shaped by meanings and interpretivist methods uncover meanings

What does voluntarism mean?

the idea that individuals have free will and choose their actions rather than being controlled by structures

What does micro approach mean?

focusing on small scale interactions and individuals rather than large scale structures

What does meaning mean in social action theory?

the subjective interpretations and feelings people attach to their actions and situations

What is interpretivist methodology?

research that aims to understand meanings through qualitative methods like interviews and observations

Who is the key thinker in social action theory?

Max Weber

What are Webers two levels of sociological explanation?

cause which is structural factors and meaning which is subjective meanings individuals attach to actions

What is instrumental rational action?

action where the actor calculates the most efficient means to achieve a goal such as paying low wages to maximise profit

What is value rational action?

action guided by belief in a goal that is seen as worthwhile for its own sake such as religious rituals for salvation

What is traditional action?

habitual routine action done because it has always been done without conscious thought

What is affectual action?

action driven by emotion such as grief anger or devotion often seen in charismatic movements

What is the summary of social action theory?

Weber argues understanding society requires both structural causes and subjective meanings

What is the Protestant work ethic example?

Calvinist beliefs gave work a religious meaning leading to disciplined labour and development of capitalism

What does micro approach mean in Weber?

sociologists study individuals and how they shape the world through meaningful action

What does verstehen mean?

empathy and understanding the world from the actors point of view by walking in their shoes

What is Schutzs criticism of Weber?

Weber is too individualistic and cannot explain shared meanings such as why everyone understands a raised hand in class

What is the application criticism of Weber?

meanings can be misinterpreted and actions can fit multiple types such as Kula exchange being traditional or instrumental

What is the verstehen criticism?

it is impossible to fully enter another persons mind so true understanding is limited

What is the difference between symbol and instinct?

instinct is automatic response to stimulus while symbol is a gesture word or object that carries meaning chosen by the actor

What does interpretive phase mean?

the stage between stimulus and response where the actor interprets the situation and chooses a meaningful action

What does taking on the role of the other mean?

seeing ourselves from another persons perspective to understand how they view us

How do we learn to take on the role of the other?

through social interaction starting with imitative play then understanding the generalised other

Who developed the idea of taking the role of the other?

GH Mead

What is the first key principle of symbolic interactionism?

actions are based on meanings people give to situations events and people

What is the second key principle of symbolic interactionism?

meanings come from interactions and are negotiable and fluid not fixed

What is the third key principle of symbolic interactionism?

meanings are created through interpretive procedures like taking the role of the other

Who identified the three key principles of symbolic interactionism?

Herbert Blumer

What is the definition of the situation?

WI Thomas idea that if people define a situation as real it becomes real in its consequences

What is the looking glass self?

Cooleys idea that self concept is shaped by how we think others see us leading to self fulfilling prophecy

What is the self fulfilling prophecy?

becoming the person others believe we are because we internalise their expectations

What is the labelling career?

Becker and Lemerts idea that labelling moves through stages identification acceptance or rejection and creation of master status

What is a master status?

a dominant identity that overrides all other identities such as criminal or deviant

What is the dramaturgical model?

Goffmans idea that social life is like a performance where people manage impressions for an audience

What is front stage self?

the performance we give to others following social expectations

What is back stage self?

the private area where we can drop the performance and be ourselves

What is impression management?

using gestures language props and behaviour to control how others see us

What is role distance?

the gap between our true self and the roles we perform showing roles are flexible not fixed

What is the ethnomethodology criticism of symbolic interactionism?

it focuses on interactions but fails to explain how actors create the meanings in the first place

What is the meaningless action criticism?

not all action is meaningful such as traditional actions which may have little meaning for the actor

What is the origin of labels criticism?

symbolic interactionism cannot explain where labels come from or why patterns of labelling repeat

What is the loose concepts criticism?

it is more a collection of descriptive ideas than a full explanatory theory

What is the dramaturgical limitation?

real interactions are improvised and people are both actors and audience making the analogy limited

What is structuration theory?

Giddens idea that structure and action depend on each other and shape society together

Who is the key thinker in structuration theory?

Anthony Giddens

What is duality of structure?

the idea that structure and action are two sides of the same coin and neither exists without the other

How does language show the duality of structure?

grammar is a structure that shapes communication but communication also reproduces and changes grammar

What are the two elements of structure?

rules which are norms customs and laws and resources which include economic materials and power

What are rules in structuration theory?

shared norms and expectations that guide action and allow social life to function

What are resources in structuration theory?

materials technology and power that actors use to achieve goals and reproduce structures

What is ontological security?

the need to feel the world is stable predictable and orderly which encourages people to maintain existing structures

What is reflexive monitoring?

people constantly reflect on their actions and adjust behaviour which can gradually change society

What are unintended consequences?

actions may change society in ways actors did not intend such as Calvinists creating capitalism while trying to glorify God

How does action reproduce existing structures?

people use rules and resources in everyday life which reinforces the status quo

What is the second way action reproduces structures?

people maintain structures because they want stability and ontological security

What is the criticism by Margaret Archer?

Giddens underestimates how powerful structures can resist change such as slavery persisting despite resistance

What is Craibs criticism of structuration theory?

it is not a real theory but a description and fails to explain large scale structures like the economy or the state

What are the four characteristics of a modern society?

nation state capitalism rationality and individualism as dominant organising principles

What is the nation state in modernity?

a political unit with a central government controlling a defined territory and population

What is capitalism in modernity?

private ownership of production and wage labour creating economic growth and inequality

What is rationality in modernity?

science and technology replacing religion as the main way of understanding the world

What is individualism in modernity?

people having more personal freedom and choice although structural inequalities still exist

What does globalisation mean?

increased interconnectedness of people cultures and economies across national boundaries

What are technological changes in globalisation?

new technologies create time space compression and global risks such as climate change

What are economic changes in globalisation?

economic activity occurs on a global scale including electronic economy where money moves instantly

What are political changes in globalisation?

globalisation weakens nation states and creates a borderless world where TNCs have more power

What are cultural and identity changes in globalisation?

global culture spreads through media leading to westernisation and hybrid identities

What is the relativist position in postmodernism?

all views are true for the people who hold them and no one has a monopoly on truth