Assess the contribution of social action/ interactionist theories to our understanding of
society – 33 marks
Essay Plan
Introduction

Introduce the argument that there are a number of different sociological theories
which contribute to our understanding of society ranging from functionalism to
social action theory to Postmodernism.

Outline briefly what the essay will focus on, eg an analysis of the contribution social
action theory has made to our understanding of society. Give a very brief over view
of what social action theory/interactionism is. For example it is a micro theory
interested in understanding how individuals interpret the social world around them,
not looking at how big structures influence behaviour.
Section 1

Briefly summarise social action/interactionist views on society, eg looks at how
individuals interact with one another in small scale scenarios and how people take a
proactive role in shaping social life. Talk about social action theorists suggesting that
people interpret symbolic behaviour in social interactions to get a measure of how
people are interpreting their behaviour and how people create front stage personas,
to manage people’s impressions. Talk about labelling theory, a branch of
interactionism

Then evaluate – good points and bad points

Good points

It focuses on small scale interactions and how people’s self-concepts can change as a
result of how other people interact with them.

It demonstrates how deviant labels can become master statuses and lead to selffulfilling prophecies

It recognises free will in terms of behaviour instead of sticking rigidly to the
presumption that people are simply constrained by social structures of social class,
gender and ethnicity.

It helps us to understand the idea of things like deviance being social constructions,
ie created by the way that social groups label others.

Problems
•
•
•
Section 2



It does not pay sufficient attention to the structures of society, such as social
class, gender and ethnicity and the constraints on individual behaviour that come
from these structures.
Some acts are always going to be seen as deviant.
Does not explain why people commit deviant acts in the first place.
Say that although social action theory helps us to understand society to an extent,
other theories offer important counter arguments.
Explain how functionalism criticises social action theory. For example behaviour is
not voluntary it is constrained by social structures of class and social institutions.
Outline 1 or 2 criticisms of functionalism
Section 3


Explain how Marxism criticises social action theory
Outline 1 or 2 criticisms of Marxism
Section 4

Postmodernism
Conclusion