Sociological Theory in Use (RLE Social Theory) by Kenneth Menzies

Author:Kenneth Menzies [Menzies, Kenneth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781138782570
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Published: 2014-08-08T00:00:00+00:00

Conclusion

In this and the previous chapter we have examined different ways in which theories can be based on the rationality of action. The previous chapter argued that if rationality is defined by some external (to the actor) criteria of correctness, then there are many reasons to expect people’s behaviour not to be rational. This chapter extends the analysis of rational action by examining theories which assume that people are rational in the sense that their actions, judged from their own point of view, make good sense when they act. It is argued that the strong version of theoreticians’ action theory makes implausible claims about people, while the weak version (situational logic) limits sociology to descriptions of situations in the actor’s own terms. Thus, rationality in all its forms can provide only a very limited and inadequate account of human action.

The versions of rational action theory that I have presented are ones that consistently follow through one conception of rationality. Much research mixes together the versions of rationality theory we have examined. For instance, people’s ends or interests may be attributed on the basis of social position and then a situational logic approach applied to their activities. Mixed versions of rationality theory (and quite what the mix of the version is, is seldom made clear) come in for a mixture of the criticisms of this and the preceding chapter.

This chapter has shown a major qualitative gap between theoreticians’ action theory and research action theory. The gap is so wide that it is possible to argue that seeing attitudes leading to behaviour, cetera cum praetermitti possint, is not action theory. In this case, the gap is between a void and research action theory in my terms. No theory book in this book’s bibliography discusses theories based on the attitude-behaviour link as a major form of theorising. Nevertheless, they constitute 10.7 per cent of the research-sample articles.

Action on the basis of its corresponding attitude constitutes its own explanation. Research action theory uses this by showing either that people’s actions do correspond to their behaviour, or identifying what feature of the situation upsets the attitude-action link. Most research has focused on identifying where the approach’s basic ideas can appropriately be applied rather than testing and refining the theory. The integration of research findings will be difficult, for it means coming to an understanding of how the rest of the world cannot usually be ignored when examining the link between people’s attitudes and their behaviour. How systematic a theoretical integration can be produced is an open question.

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