Definitions
Macro-sociological theory, focused on social classes, exploitation and inequality present in society.
What is Conflict Theory?
Hierarchical structure, strict rules and regulations, impersonality, well-trained employees, efficiency
What are the characteristics of a Bureaucratic organization?
In a hospital, roles are clearly defined: doctors treat patients, nurses provide care for patients and administrators handle the paperwork.
What is Bureaucratic Theory?
The opium of the people, distracting them from the struggles of life.
What is Religion?
Weber argued that before the cause of an action could be ascertained you had to understand the meaning attached to it by the individual. He distinguished between two types of understanding.
What is Aktuelles Verstehen and Eklarendes Verstehen?
Micro-sociological theory, focused on meanings behind human behaviours, human interactions and actions.
What is Social Action Theory?
Actions guided by emotions
What is Affectual Action?
A person volunteers at a non-profit organization because the believe it aligns with their ethical values, even if no compensation is given.
What is Social Action Theory?
The only factor Marx believed is responsible for bringing about social change
What is the economic factor?
A researcher understanding the meaning or the motives behind an act.
What is Eklarendes Verstehen understanding?
A form of organization, with a hierarchical structure, complex rules and regulations.
What is Bureaucracy?
Actions done based on custom, routine or habits (done without thought)
What is Traditional Action?
An employee at a government agency follows a strict set of rules and protocols when handling certain documents.
What is Bureaucratic Theory?
Another name for Karl Marx theory of social change.
What is Deterministic or Single Factor Theory?
A researcher observing what an individual is doing.
What is Aktuelles Verstehen understanding?
Proletariats becoming aware of their exploitation by the bourgeoisie.
And the opposite of this.
What is Class Consciousness?
What is False Consciousness?
Value Rational Action
What is an action influenced by someone's values?
Factory workers demand better working conditions and higher wages after discovering company profits have increased and their pay has not.
What is Conflict Theory?
The current situation, or the way things are right now.
The current/existing state of power structures, social order and norms.
What is status quo?
What is Instrumental Rational Action, Value Rational Action, Traditional Action, Affectual Action
The exclusion of personal feelings in decision making; being objective in professional situations.
What is Impersonality?
Instrumental Rational Action
What is an action that is goal-oriented?
State a scenario that displays Social Action Theory (e.g. one of the four actions)
- Instrumental Rational Action
- Value Rational Action
- Traditional Action
- Affectual Action
Separation from the products of one's labour, and one's very essence as a human; this would help lead to a proletariat uprising.
What is Alienation?
Weber's work where he argued that a set of religious ideas were responsible for the emergence of Capitalism in Northern Europe in the 16-17th century.
What is Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism?