Social action/ Interactionalism

Symbolic interactionalism- symbol vs instincts MEAD

Mead observed that unlike animals our behaviour is not shaped by fixed, pre programmed instincts. Instead we respond to the world by giving meaning to the thing that is significant to us. Instead effect we create a world of meanings. We do this by attaching symbols.

E.G RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, FIST

Mead- symbolic interactionism

SI= Society is built up by interactions between people which take place on the basis of meanings held by individuals 

We attach symbols to things

We interpret these symbols to understand the meaning of what is around out 

We learn their meanings through interactions with others (e.g. socialisation)

MEAD EVAL

• Strengths:

• Mead's theory highlights individual agency, showing how people actively shape their identities rather than being completely controlled by social structures.

• Provides a detailed insight into social interactions, making it useful for understanding communication and self-concept formation.

• Applied in numerous studies on education, identity, and deviance, making it a widely influential theory.

• Weaknesses:

• Some critics argue it overlooks larger social structures, such as class and power dynamics, which also shape behavior.

• The theory is difficult to measure empirically, as subjective meanings are complex to study scientifically.

• Doesn't fully explain why certain meanings become dominant in society rather than others.

Weber

Perceived the world and society is very complex and unpredictable system

To get a full understanding of human behaviour we need both structural and social action approaches

The level of cause the objective structual factors that shape peoples behaviour

The level of meaning; the subjective meanings that individuals attach their actions

THEIR VIEW

Society institutions are socially constructed by individuals and not separate or above them

People have free will and choice which forms their own identities not from external social forces

Research on individuals or small groups rather than society as a whole, bottom up, micro, interpretivists approach- qualities research methods 

Peoples behaviour driven by beliefs, meanings, feeling emotions they give to situations

Insight to the way people see themselves and how it affects social interaction

Dramaturgical theory GOFFMAN

Theorist 4: Goffman and the Dramaturgical Approach

AO1 (Knowledge and Understanding)

• Goffman's Dramaturgical Approach compares social interactions to a theatrical performance, where individuals play roles based on social expectations.

• Key concepts include:

• Front stage vs. Back stage behavior - People behave differently depending on whether they are in public (front stage) or private (backstage).

• Impression management - Individuals actively try to control how others perceive them by adjusting their behavior.

• Social roles and scripts - Like actors following a script, individuals conform to societal norms during interactions.

• The 'performance' - Social interaction involves managing expressions, tone, and actions to fit the situation.
  AO2 (Application)

• Can be applied to everyday interactions, such as how people behave differently at work versus at home.

• Explains social media behavior, where individuals carefully curate their online presence (front stage) while their private self remains unseen (back stage).

• Relevant in customer service and professional environments, where employees engage in impression management to maintain a positive image.

• Helps in understanding deviance and stigma, as certain groups may struggle with managing impressions in society.

Society is like a stage. People are like actors, managing the impressions they give others by putting on a show to try and convince others of the identity they wish to assert

• This is impression management e.g. using music, voice, language or clothes to show the kind of person they wish to be

• Everyone is engaged in this

• We are not passive victims of the labels people give use

• We construct the self we show to others

1. Present self image- manage performance/ impression using props, setting. We have a front and back stage

2. there is a gap between our real selves and the roles we play

• we manipulate our audiences 

EVAL OF GOFFMAN

AO3 (Evaluation)

• Strengths:

• Provides a realistic view of social interactions, acknowledging how people adapt based on context.

• Highlights individual agency, showing that people actively construct their identity rather than being controlled by structures.

• Useful for analyzing social situations, particularly in psychology and sociology.

• Weaknesses:

• Critics argue it focuses too much on micro-level interactions and neglects larger social structures like class and power.

• Some say it overemphasizes performance, implying people are always acting rather than being authentic.

• Difficult to empirically test, as personal perceptions of self and others are highly subjective.

Labelling theory and looking glass self COOLEY

Our self concept arises out of our ability to take the role of others in interactions by taking the role of others, we come to see ourselves as they see us. Others act as a looking glass to us, we see ourselves self mirrored in the way they respond to us- SFP - we become what others see of us

Cooley developed this concept to describe this process of negotiated interaction

• It is the idea that our image of our self is reflected back to us in the views of others. We then may change our view of ourselves and our behaviour

• We take on the role of the other and come to see ourselves as they see us

• E.g. an individual may see themselves as friendly and sociable but if others see them as unfriendly and stand-offish they might adopt a new identity in light of this or modify their behaviour to try and change people’s views of them

• We become what others see us

• Therefore everything is socially constructed and can change through interaction. Not simply handed down

• SI sees society and social order as based on shared meanings which are developed and learned through interaction

Social action application

AO2 (Application)

• Can be applied to socialization-especially in childhood and adolescence, when self-identity is highly influenced by peer reactions.

• Useful in explaining social media behavior, where individuals construct their online identity based on likes, commer and followers.

• Helps in understanding self-esteem issues, particularly in contexts where people rely heavily on external validation

• Applied in education, where students shape their self-perception based on feedback from teachers and peers. E.G.
  PAUL WILLIS L2L 'THE LADS'!!!

Structuration theory GIDDENS

Theorist 5: Giddens and Structuration Theory

A01 (Knowledge and Understanding)

• Giddens' Structuration Theory bridges the gap between structure and agency, arguing that individuals shape society while being influenced by social structures.

• He rejects the idea that structures are completely deterministic and instead introduces the duality of structure-meaning social structures both constrain and enable human action.

• Key concepts:

• Agency - The ability of individuals to make choices and take action.

• Structure - The rules and institutions that shape society.

• Reflexivity - People continuously reflect on their actions and adjust their behavior.

• Time-space distinction - How modern society allows interactions across time and space, changing social relations.

AO2 (Application)

• Explains changes in social norms, such as shifts in gender roles, where individuals challenge existing structures while still operating within them.

• Can be seen in education systems, where students navigate institutional rules while shaping the learning environment through their choices.

Social behaviour is a combination of both structures in society such as social class, but also the individual actions we take- as we are not passive puppets. Our actions also change structures over time so the 2 are linked

EVAL IGDDENS

• Strengths:

• Provides a balanced perspective between agency and structure, | avoiding extremes found in other sociological theories.

• Helps explain social change, showing how individuals interact with and reshape institutions.

• Applicable to modern issues, such as the impact of technology on social structures.

• Weaknesses:

• Some argue it lacks clear empirical evidence, as it's difficult to measure the interaction between structure and agency.

• Critics say it fails to account for power imbalances, such as how certain groups have more influence over structures than others.

• Can be too abstract, making it challenging to apply directly in specific sociological studies.

EVAL

Fails to explain the orgins of labels/ the wider social structures that determine our lives such as social class inequality or racism