Topic Sociologist/ Key findings
theory
Webe Structuralism and He identifies that external structures do exist in society, but that each individual will interpret or react to those structures
r social action differently. For example, the protestant religion (structure), while the interpretation of protestant texts (meaning) led them to
theory value hard work (resulting in capitalism) which was a sign you’d go to heaven. Also, ISIS interpret Islam very literally and believe
that they are at war with Christianity – they want to destroy the west.
Types of action - Instrumental rational action: when a person rationally calculates the most efficient way to achieve a goal e.g. revising
hard to pass an exam.
- Value-rational action: action towards a goal that is seen as desirable for its own sake e.g. praying for a better life – no
way of calculating if its effective.
- Traditional action: routine, habitual, day to day customs that help guide action – no real thought goes into this e.g.
waking up at the same time every day.
- Affectual action: action guided by emotion, such as violence caused by anger e.g. getting into a fight with someone
because of what they have said.
Criticisms 1. He cannot explain shared meanings between people e.g. at an auction when someone raises their hand everyone knows
they want to make a bid.
2. His categories of ‘action’ are difficult to apply in different circumstances e.g. Trobrian Islanders giving gifts to neighbouring
islands = traditional thing to do BUT also instrumentally rational as it is good to cement friendships.
3. We can never be sure we have truly understood a persons ‘world view’.
Symb Mead Humans don’t react to the outside world through instinct, but through conscious interpretation of symbol that have
olic meaning. That interpretation generates an idea in our minds of what is ‘out there’, we attach symbols to the world and a
intera symbol stands or represents something else. We give meaning to things that are significant to us. Once we have done this we
ctioni choose an appropriate response, we don’t act on instinct. We interpret other’s responses through taking the role of the
sm other and putting ourselves in the place of others, which helps social interaction as we learn to see ourselves as others see
us.
Blumer Developed Mead’s ideas further. Out interpretation of reality can be negotiable and changeable through interaction with others
because our actions are based on the meaning we give to situations, events, people etc. Our behaviour is predictable because
we internalise the expectations of others. Inter-subjective reality.
Labelling theory ‘The definition of the situation’ – our subjective definition/ interpretation (i.e. the label) we give to something will have
real consequences (i.e. if we believe it to be true) e.g. teacher labelling and the self-fulfilling prophecy. Subjectivity
becomes objective.
The looking glass self – we start off with an idea of how we see ourselves. This is developed through our interactions with
others. We start to see ourselves how we think others see us. This ‘label’ that others may have created becomes part of
our self-concept. We act out the prediction given to ourselves based on our ‘mirrored’ self-concept.
‘Career’- a label can lead individuals to make progression within a labelled category. Becker and Lemert (mental health
theory
Webe Structuralism and He identifies that external structures do exist in society, but that each individual will interpret or react to those structures
r social action differently. For example, the protestant religion (structure), while the interpretation of protestant texts (meaning) led them to
theory value hard work (resulting in capitalism) which was a sign you’d go to heaven. Also, ISIS interpret Islam very literally and believe
that they are at war with Christianity – they want to destroy the west.
Types of action - Instrumental rational action: when a person rationally calculates the most efficient way to achieve a goal e.g. revising
hard to pass an exam.
- Value-rational action: action towards a goal that is seen as desirable for its own sake e.g. praying for a better life – no
way of calculating if its effective.
- Traditional action: routine, habitual, day to day customs that help guide action – no real thought goes into this e.g.
waking up at the same time every day.
- Affectual action: action guided by emotion, such as violence caused by anger e.g. getting into a fight with someone
because of what they have said.
Criticisms 1. He cannot explain shared meanings between people e.g. at an auction when someone raises their hand everyone knows
they want to make a bid.
2. His categories of ‘action’ are difficult to apply in different circumstances e.g. Trobrian Islanders giving gifts to neighbouring
islands = traditional thing to do BUT also instrumentally rational as it is good to cement friendships.
3. We can never be sure we have truly understood a persons ‘world view’.
Symb Mead Humans don’t react to the outside world through instinct, but through conscious interpretation of symbol that have
olic meaning. That interpretation generates an idea in our minds of what is ‘out there’, we attach symbols to the world and a
intera symbol stands or represents something else. We give meaning to things that are significant to us. Once we have done this we
ctioni choose an appropriate response, we don’t act on instinct. We interpret other’s responses through taking the role of the
sm other and putting ourselves in the place of others, which helps social interaction as we learn to see ourselves as others see
us.
Blumer Developed Mead’s ideas further. Out interpretation of reality can be negotiable and changeable through interaction with others
because our actions are based on the meaning we give to situations, events, people etc. Our behaviour is predictable because
we internalise the expectations of others. Inter-subjective reality.
Labelling theory ‘The definition of the situation’ – our subjective definition/ interpretation (i.e. the label) we give to something will have
real consequences (i.e. if we believe it to be true) e.g. teacher labelling and the self-fulfilling prophecy. Subjectivity
becomes objective.
The looking glass self – we start off with an idea of how we see ourselves. This is developed through our interactions with
others. We start to see ourselves how we think others see us. This ‘label’ that others may have created becomes part of
our self-concept. We act out the prediction given to ourselves based on our ‘mirrored’ self-concept.
‘Career’- a label can lead individuals to make progression within a labelled category. Becker and Lemert (mental health
