Action theory

From Geography

Initially action theory was developed as a critique against scientific naturalism with the purpose to better describe the workings of reality (Wirklichkeit) (Kramsch, O., Lecture September ’10). Action theory grounded mainly in the work of Max Weber (Werlen, 2009, p. 1). Followed by Benno Werlen and Talcot Parsson. Benno Werlen used the structuration theory to revise the approach of action theory as a remedy for the weaknesses of classical action theory (Werlen, 2009). Werlen developed a practice-theoretical social geography of ‘everyday regionalizations’ (2009). A priori to the above-mentioned theories is the normative action theory of Talcot Parsson, Parsson did the first attempt to acknowledge the subjective meaning.

Weber's action theory

Weber emphasizes the importance of interpreting society in terms of the meaninful action patterns of its members; the significance of subjective action for the understanding of society (Campbell, 1991, p. 170). Thus Weber’s theory of society assumes the action of the meaninful individual as most valuable (Campbell, 1991, p. 169). It forms a key role as a transformative power in the course of human history and shifting socioeconomic and sociocultural realities. (Werlen, 2009, p. 1). By studying social actions one can get insight in global life conditions. Only individuals can be an actor; collectives, states or social groups cannot produce actions. Nevertheless persons can act in the name of a collective or they can coordinate their actions with the actions of other members of a certain group. Spatial patterns are constituted by and through actions. They are both conditions and means of actions (Werlen, lecture September ‘10).

Action theory refers to the theory of social action. An action is social in so far it is enriched with a subjective meaning attached to it by the acting individual (Campbell, 1991, p. 173). Werlen notes that it are humans actions and social actions that produce social life (Werlen, 2009, p. 2). Social action requires that at least one participant gives meaning to his behaviour in terms of the subjective experiences of another person (that is with regard to the intentions, motives or feelings of other people) (Campbell, 1991, p.173). The most important connection between space and the action theory is that space is constructed by the knowing and the acting subject (Werlen, lecture, September ‘10).

Action differs from behaviour, in the sense that action is an intentional activity whether behaviour is a stimulated activity. Behaviour are purely mechanical bodily movements without intentions. Action can be seen as a process of carrying out an activity or the flow of human activity. Though, an act is a completed goal-oriented activity (Werlen, lecture September ‘10). Weber distinguishes action from behaviour in general by saying that a movement is not an action unless it has subjective meaning for the person(s) involved. The actor is aware of what he or she is doing, which can be analysed in terms of intentions, motives and feelings (Campbell, 1991, p. 173). Actions always have intentional and unintentional (or unforeseen) consequences (Werlen, lecture, September ‘10). Every action takes place in a situation (the conditions of action) over which the actor has no control (Campbell, 1991, p. 189).

Weber’s distinguishes four types of human action ('ideal types'), namely the goal-rational type, the value-rational conduct, affectional type and the traditionalist type. Through these ways individuals give meaning to their actions (Campbell, 1991, p. 177,178). See more on Weber’s theory of man.

Weber’s theory was followed by Schütz phenomenological action theory (Werlen, lecture, September ‘10). See more on Schütz's theory of man.

References

Werlen, B. (2009). Everyday Regionalzations. In: International encyclopedia for human geography. Elsevier.

Campbell, T. (1991). Seven theories of Human Soceity. Oxford University Press: Oxford.

Kramsch, O. Lecture concerning The First Spatial Turn, September 2010

Werlen, B. Lecture concerning Everyday Regionalizations, September 2010

Contributors

Published by Marjolein Selten & Fleur van der Zandt

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