social actions
In sociology, social actions refer to any action that takes into account actions and reactions of other individuals and is modified based on those events. Social action is a concept developed by Max Weber that explores interaction between humans in society. The concept of social action is used to observe how certain behaviors are modified in certain environments. The impact of social action is clearly seen in norms and everyday interaction between people.
Social action is an action that regards the reaction of other people. When the potential reaction is not desirable, the action is modified accordingly. Sociology is the study of society and behavior, the heart of interaction, and thus the study of social action. Social action states that humans vary actions according to social contexts and how it will affect other people. Sociology studies that alteration.
Action in sociology can either mean a basic action (one that has a meaning) or a more advanced social action, one that not only has a meaning but is directed at other humans and induces a response. The term "social action" was introduced by Max Weber. It is a more encompassing term than Florian Znaniecki's social phenomena, since the individual performing social actions is not passive, but (potentially) active and reacting.
Weber differentiated between several types of social actions:
- rational actions (also known as value-rational ones, 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 sanctifies the means') Value rational or Instrumentally rational social action is divided into two groups: rational consideration and rational orientation. Rational Orientation comes into account when secondary results are taken into account rationally. This is also considered alternative means when secondary consequences have ended. Determining this mean of action is quite hard and even incompatible. Rational orientation is being able to recognize and understand certain mediums under common conditions. According to Weber, heterogeneous actors and groups that are competing, find it hard to settle on a certain medium and understand the common social action;
- instrumental action (also known as value relation, goal-instrumental ones, zweckrational): actions which are planned and taken after evaluating the goal in relation to other goals, and after thorough consideration of various means (and consequences) to achieve it. An example would be most economic transactions. Value Relation is divided into the subgroups commands and demands. According to the law, people are given commands and must use the whole system of private laws to break down the central government or domination in the legal rights in which a citizen possess. Demands can be based on justice or human dignity just for morality. These demands have posed several problems even legal formalism has been put to the test. These demands seem to weigh on the society and at times can make them feel immoral.;
- affectional action (also known as emotional actions): actions which are taken due to one's emotions, to express personal feelings. For examples, cheering after a victory, crying at a funeral would be affectional actions. Affectual is divided into two subgroups: uncontrolled reaction and emotional tension. In uncontrolled reaction there is no restraint and there is lack of discretion. A person with an uncontrolled reaction becomes less inclined to consider other peoples’ feelings as much as their own. Emotional tension comes from a basic belief that a person is unworthy or powerless to obtain his/her deepest aspirations. When aspirations are not fulfilled there is internal unrest. It is often times difficult to be productive in society because of the unfulfilled life;
- traditional actions: actions which are carried out due to tradition, because they are always carried out in such a situation. An example would be putting on clothes or relaxing on Sundays. Some traditional actions can become a cultural artifact Traditional is divided into two subgroups: customs and habit. A custom is a practice that rests among familiarity. It is continually perpetuated and is ingrained in a culture. Customs usually last for generations. A habit is a series of steps learned gradually and sometimes without conscious awareness. As the old cliché goes, “old habits are hard to break” and new habits are difficult to form.
*Social Action Models Explain Social Outcomes: because they take basic sociological ideas and apply them to everyday behaviors and outcomes. “The Looking Glass Self” is a prime example of a social action model. The idea of “The Looking Glass Self” is that our sense of self develops as we observe and reflect upon others and what they may think.
- Further readings: Central Problems in Social Theory: Action,
Structure, and Contradiction in Social Analysis by Anthony Giddens, Liberalism and Social Action by John Dewey, Structures of Social Action (Studies in Emotion and social Interaction) by J. Maxwell Atkinson.
Sciulli, David. Theory of Societal Constitutionalism: Foundations of a Non-Marxist Critical Theory.
Cambridge University Press. 1992
Weber, Max. Economy and Society: An Outline of Interpretive Sociology.
University of California Press. 1978
Gecas, Viktor. "Beyond The Looking Glass Self: Social Structure and Efficacy-Based Self-Esteem" The Scholarly Journal Archive.
1983. 17 Oct. 2007 <http://www.jstor.org/view/01902725/dm993213/99p0213w/0>.
Hedström, Peter. “Experimental Macro Sociology: Predicting the Next Best Seller” Science/AAAS. 10 Feb. 2006. 17 Oct. 2007 < http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/311/5762/786?rss=1> Weber, Max. Basic Concepts of Sociology. 16 October 2007 <http://www.ne.jp/asahi/moriyuki/abukuma/weber/method/basic/basic_concept_frame.html> Society for Organizational Learning. Personal Mastery 16 October 2007 <http://www.solonline.org/pra/tool/conversation.html> Habits 16 October 2007 <http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro05/web1/mmcgovern.html>
In sociological hierarchy, social action is more advanced than behavior, action and social behavior, and is in turn followed by more advanced social contact, social interaction and social relation.
Ct253106 12:08, 18 October 2007 (UTC)
See also
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