Social Action Theory Sociology

Social Action Theory Structural theories emphasise that for individuals ‘society’ though often taken for granted is a substantial external reality. Most people live within their culture as a given ‘natural’ world. However, there are variations in social rules, ideas and conventions. Social Action theory emphasises these features of social life and pay close attention to how people define the ‘reality’ of their social world. Social Action Theory is interested in how definitions of ‘reality’ may be disputed by individuals and groups, and, how people negotiate shared rules and ideas.

Social Action Theory The human ability to communicate through language is central to this view. For action theorists the human ability to give meaning to the world through a shared language enables people to interact socially and create a social order. From this perspective cultural rules are built up and broken down continually as a result of individual choices and decisions. Socialisation is not about internalisation of fixed social rules but rather a means to create change.

Social Action Theory Social action theory emphasises fluidity and change due to people’s creativity and interaction, for example, a person may have to make choices as the constraints within a role become apparent – parental responsibilities may conflict with work commitments, a team leader may find that managers have different expectations of her/him than workmates do. In either of the above cases the person must make choices, e.g. remodel a role, or, if necessary, abandon a role altogether.

Max Weber (1864 – 1920) Social action theory was originally developed by social theorist Max Weber. Social action theory seeks to understand how individuals negotiate between their personal desires and the social forces that largely determine and guide their actions. It focuses on behaviour that is guided by, or takes account of, the behaviour of other human beings (either as individuals or as a group). Therefore, in Weber's sociology, social action is behaviour to which human beings attach a specific meaning or set of meanings.

Max Weber (1864 – 1920) Weber identified different forms of social action: 1. Rational action: individuals have expectations about the behaviour of others and act to take account of these expectations in order to attain their own rationally chosen outcomes. 2. Evaluative action: individuals take account of absolute values (religious beliefs, ethics, or moral code) entirely for their own sake and independently of any prospects of external benefit or success. 3. Emotional actions: action based on feelings and emotions of the individual and other actors. 4. Traditional actions: actions that are based on long-established and habitually practiced traditional expectations.