What is Max Weber’s Social Action Theory?

The Social Action Theory was developed by the German sociologist Max
Weber, who with this theory pursued to highlight the importance of human
behaviour as it relates to cause and effect (instrumentally rational) in the
social sphere.

According to Max Weber, human beings adapt their actions according to

social contexts and how these actions affect the behaviour of others.
What are the main concepts of social action theory?
Social action theorists argue that people's behaviour and life-chances are not
determined by their social background. Instead, social action theorists
emphasizes the role of the active individual and interactions between people
in shaping personal identity and in turn the wider society.
What are the 4 types of social action according to Max Weber?
Max weber” stated that, there are four ideal types of social actions* . Which
are as follow: traditional social action, , affective social action, rational
social action with value and rational instrumental social action
Four types of social action according to Weber
In his work Economy and Society (1921), Max Weber mentions four forms of
social action:

1. Traditional social action

These are actions which are the result of traditions and customs and which
are performed in certain situations.

Traditional social action example

Having lunch with the family every Sunday. Traditional actions can become a
cultural reference. Tradition is divided into two subgroups: customs and
habits. A custom is a practice that is familiar, normally done and popularised
within the culture.Customs can last from generation to generation.
A habit is something that is learned little by little and is sometimes something
that becomes normalised in everyday life and even becomes attached to a
person’s personality.

2. Affective social action

Also known as emotional action where the human being acts impulsively and
does not necessarily think about the consequences.

Affective social action example

Crying at a victory or crying at a funeral are affective social actions. This social
action is divided into two subgroups: uncontrolled reaction and emotional
tension.

In the uncontrolled reaction the person takes less account of the feelings of
others and puts the feelings of the person him / herself as the main focus.
Emotional tension is the frustration that a person may have when not
fulfilling his or her aspirations, and it is then where the internal tension
creates dissatisfaction.

3. Rational social action with values

Rational action with value is characterised by moral or ethical principles that
are implemented collectively for the good of society. Therefore, the rational
action is guided by ideology or collective ethics.
Rational social action with values example
Religion.
4. Rational-instrumental social action
These are actions that are carried out in order to achieve a specific result.

Rational-instrumental social action Example

Natalia is 19 years old and wants to study medicine, however, she is aware
that she has to take a rigorous exam in order to be able to go to university
and study what she wants to study. This exam makes Natalia study every day
in order to pass the exam and finally study medicine.

If we take this everyday life example into account, we can understand

Natalia’s desire to achieve her goal and what she has to do in order to
achieve it.

Natalia then applies social instrumental social action because each step she
takes to achieve her goal will bring a positive or negative consequence
depending on how she carries out the process, in this case her process is one
of discipline and study.