introduction to social action theories

We can divide sociological theories into two broad types: structural theories and action theories.

• describe the difference

We can divide sociological theories into two broad types: structural theories and action theories.

Structural theories

• such as functionalism and Marxism are macro (large scale), top-down and deterministic: they see society as a real thing existing over and above us, shaping our ideas and behaviour

• individuals are like puppets, manipulated by society. To understand people's behaviour, we must first understand the social structure that shapes it.

Action theories start from the opposite position.

• They are 'micro' level, bottom-up approaches that focus on the actions and interactions of individuals.

• Action theories are more voluntaristic - what dies this mean?

• Our actions are not d____ by s____.

• Rather, we are f____ a____, c____ and s____ society through our c____, m____ and a___.

• Action theories are more voluntaristic - they see us as having free will and choice.

• Our actions are not determined by society.

• Rather, we are free agents, creating and shaping society through our choices, meanings and actions.

• Social action theories are linked to which approach?

• Sociologists who support social action theories believe people have f___ w____ and a____ create society through their i____, so they prefer q____ methods such as i____ and o____ to gain i___-d____ insight.

• This contrasts with p____, who believe behaviour is shaped by s___ structures and that sociology should be s____, so they prefer q____ methods like experiments, q____ and o____ s___ to find general patterns in society.

• Social action theories are linked to the interpretivist approach, which focuses on understanding the meanings individuals give to their actions.

• Sociologists who support social action theories believe people have free will and actively create society through their interactions, so they prefer qualitative methods such as interviews and observation to gain in-depth insight.

• This contrasts with positivists, who believe behaviour is shaped by social structures and that sociology should be scientific, so they prefer quantitative methods like experiments, questionnaires and official statistics to find general patterns in society.

In this Topic we look at four action theories - what are these theories?

In this Topic we look at four action theories:

1. Weber's social action theory

2. symbolic interactionism

3. phenomenology

4. ethnomethodology