Lecture 4: Introduction to Theories.

Action Theory & Interactionism.

Another important micro approach within sociology is ethnomethodology an approach developed by Harold Garfinkel.

This approach argues that individuals make meanings around themselves [with others] in order to avoid the ultimate meaninglessness and chaos of the world around us.

Garfinkel argues that we use the documentary method to associate certain things [situations, sounds, images] with routine in order to feel comfortable about existence.

There is no real meaning or truth to these routines that we construct, but we carry them on as we are afraid and unable to deal with the unpredictable consequences.

[What routines do you have in your life/what routines regulate your everyday existence?]

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The British sociologist Anthony Giddens has developed Webers ideas of how individuals play a major part in shaping social structures and institutions.

Giddens developed a theory called structuration. This theory argues [similarly to Weber] that it is counterproductive within sociology to have a distinction and seperation between macro and micro approaches.

Instead structuration develops the notion that it is more realistic to have a combination [or an integration] of both micro and macro when attempting to understand how and why humans create meaning and society:

Macro (structure) Micro (Individuals)

The system shapes behaviour Individuals shape social systems

Structuration

(two opposing views integrated)

A constant and reciprocal interplay

Between social structures and the individuals

Who make them up. This produces stability

and gradual change as people move on.

According to structuration theory it is too simplistic to say that the structure dictates individual behaviour, likewise society is more complex than groups of individuals shaping system.

According to this approach systems undoubtedly influence how individuals behave but individuals also have the ability and power to change, so as people adapt and change - so do the structures that they exist within.

People are born into systems, but people alter these systems as their views and behaviours change.

In order to try and consolidate the above on structuration theory, consider and respond to the following questions

1. How would functionalism attempt to interpret recent changes in traditional gender roles?

2. How can we attempt to understand these changes from a structurationist point of view?

PAGE 1East Lancs Institute of Higher Education.