Topic Three (1.3): Interactionist Perspectives

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

Social action topics are the opposite of structural theories. They focus on the impact of small-scale and group interactions. They focus more on the signs and symbols we use to communicate with one another and how we recreate our society through our actions. Unlike structural theories, they are based on the idea that we have completely free will and are not passive in terms of how we receive and act on information. They also do not support the belief that society exists as a clearly distinct entity from individuals and so cannot control our actions.

You will notice that Max Weber has links to both structural and interactionists perspectives as his ideas cross over into both categories.

Read & Make Notes Icon.png Read and Make Notes

Read pages 14 to 19 in your textbook and carefully make notes on the topic.

Skills Icon.png Tasks

  • Complete the activities in the textbook.
  • Watch the following video on the key structural theories:

WATCH – An Introduction to the Ideas of Interactionism (YouTube) Links to an external site.

  • Based on this and your textbook, create a mind map covering the key features of the interactionist approach.

Glossary Icon.png Terminology

Make sure you understand all the key terms covered in this topic. You may like to make flashcards of key terms now, to help you with revision later on.