Unlike structural theorists, social action theorists argue that people’s behaviour and life-chances are not determined by their social background. Instead, social action theorists
emphasises the role of the active individual and interactions between people in shaping personal identity and in turn the wider society.
Social action is about people coming together to help improve their lives and solve the problems that are important in their communities. It can include
volunteering, giving money, community action
or simple neighbourly acts.
This theory suggests that
sport is produced through social networks of people and their social interdependance
. It highlights the fact that sport has developed alongside aspects of society.
Sociologists develop theories to explain social phenomena. A theory is a proposed relationship between two or more concepts. In other words, a theory is explanation for why or how a phenomenon occurs. An example of a sociological theory is
the work of Robert Putnam on the decline of civic engagement
.
What is the main idea of action theories?
Action theory, Subfield of philosophy of mind that
is specially important for ethics
; it concerns the distinction between things that happen to a person and things one does or makes happen. Action theorists consider issues such as motive, desire, purpose, deliberation, decision, intention, trying, and free will.
Social action
presupposes the existence of other individual and some action by him
. This means there can be no social action in isolation. Therefore social action is possible if there is another human being whose action or behaviour is prompting to the giving individual to act in a particular manner.
Through the commitment and skill of citizens, social action can
empower communities, help people in need, and complement public services
. Taking part in social action is also associated with higher levels of wellbeing, and can improve people’s confidence and skills.
- Rational-purposeful Action: …
- Value-rational Action: …
- Affective Action: …
- Traditional Action:
Social action
gets people moving
. It makes them feel strong, and makes them less likely to submit meekly to the rules and demands of those in power. It gives people responsibility for their own lives and actions, and brings out their leadership potential.
Hornstein has classified these strategies or tactics of social action as: 1)
Direct action
: E.g. picketing, marches, fraternization, haunting, leafleting and renouncing honours. 2) Non-cooperation: E.g. strikes, boycott, tax-refusal. 3) Intervention: E.g. sit in, reversal strike, obstruction.
What are the 4 types of theory?
Sociologists (Zetterberg, 1965) refer to at least four types of theory:
theory as classical literature in sociology, theory as sociological criticism, taxonomic theory, and scientific theory
. These types of theory have at least rough parallels in social education. Some of them might be useful for guiding research.
Social learning theory examples in everyday life are common, with one of the most evident being
the behaviors of children
, as they imitate family members, friends, famous figures and even television characters. If a child perceives there is a meaningful reward for such behavior, they will perform it at some point.
Definitions of key terms for the five basic sociological perspectives –
Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism, Social Action Theory and Postmodernism
. Definitions of key terms for the five basic sociological perspectives – Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism, Social Action Theory and Postmodernism.
What is Voluntaristic theory of action?
Voluntarism, sometimes referred to as voluntary action, is
the principle that individuals are free to choose goals and how to achieve them within the bounds of certain societal and cultural constraints
, as opposed to actions that are coerced or predetermined.
Rational actions (also known as value-rational actions, wertrational): actions which are taken because it leads to a valued goal, but with
no thought of its consequences and often without consideration of the appropriateness of the means chosen to achieve it (‘the end justifies the means’)
.
What is Durkheim’s theory?
Durkheim believed that
society exerted a powerful force on individuals
. People’s norms, beliefs, and values make up a collective consciousness, or a shared way of understanding and behaving in the world. The collective consciousness binds individuals together and creates social integration.
