Social action approach focuses more on the individual rather
than the structure of society. Elaborate
The social action approach focuses more on the individual and
their everyday behaviour rather than the overall structure of
society. The social action approach takes on a micro view which
means; it does not focus on society as a whole but rather it
focuses on an individual or small groups in a particular society.
According to interpretivists and interactionists’ theories, the
role of an individual is important in creating culture and
defining identity. Interactionists and interpretivists are
concerned with the meaning and motives of individuals.
Structuralists describe the individual as not being passive.
Lawler in 2014 said that the social world involves people
making interpretations of the things around them. George
Herbert Mead, a symbolic interactionist, said that as children
grow older, they begin to develop a sense of themselves. They
develop what is called a self-concept. As children begin to
relate with others, they begin to develop ideas about how
others see them. Mead created the I vs Me theory. In Mead’s
understanding, the “me” is the socialized aspect of the
individual, and the “I” is the active aspect of the person.
Another sociologist, Charles Cooley said that; our image is
shaped by society, also known as the looking glass self. Our
image of ourselves is reflected back to us in the view of others,
just like a mirror. We determine whether others view us as we
view ourselves, based on others’ reactions. We develop our self
from the reactions of others towards us.
Another social interactionist is Erving Goffman, who came up
with the term “Dramaturgy”. Dramaturgy sees society like a
stage. People are the actors, performing their part in society.
Good “actors” are able to persuade audiences that they really
are the characters they are playing. Goffman said that
dramaturgy is “the presentation of the self in everyday life”.
The presentation of the self is trying to convince others of the
identities we may wish to assert. Goffman described each
individual’s “performance” as the presentation of self, which is
a person’s efforts to create a specific impression in the minds
than the structure of society. Elaborate
The social action approach focuses more on the individual and
their everyday behaviour rather than the overall structure of
society. The social action approach takes on a micro view which
means; it does not focus on society as a whole but rather it
focuses on an individual or small groups in a particular society.
According to interpretivists and interactionists’ theories, the
role of an individual is important in creating culture and
defining identity. Interactionists and interpretivists are
concerned with the meaning and motives of individuals.
Structuralists describe the individual as not being passive.
Lawler in 2014 said that the social world involves people
making interpretations of the things around them. George
Herbert Mead, a symbolic interactionist, said that as children
grow older, they begin to develop a sense of themselves. They
develop what is called a self-concept. As children begin to
relate with others, they begin to develop ideas about how
others see them. Mead created the I vs Me theory. In Mead’s
understanding, the “me” is the socialized aspect of the
individual, and the “I” is the active aspect of the person.
Another sociologist, Charles Cooley said that; our image is
shaped by society, also known as the looking glass self. Our
image of ourselves is reflected back to us in the view of others,
just like a mirror. We determine whether others view us as we
view ourselves, based on others’ reactions. We develop our self
from the reactions of others towards us.
Another social interactionist is Erving Goffman, who came up
with the term “Dramaturgy”. Dramaturgy sees society like a
stage. People are the actors, performing their part in society.
Good “actors” are able to persuade audiences that they really
are the characters they are playing. Goffman said that
dramaturgy is “the presentation of the self in everyday life”.
The presentation of the self is trying to convince others of the
identities we may wish to assert. Goffman described each
individual’s “performance” as the presentation of self, which is
a person’s efforts to create a specific impression in the minds
