The theory I originally chose to critique was the Social Exchange and Rational Choice framework from our class book. I chose this theory because when we talked about it in class it made a lot of sense to me. Its propositions and foundations are very applicable to many situations, and I felt like I had a good grasp of its concepts and structure. However, in doing research for this paper, I discovered that contrary to what our book led me to believe, Social Exchange is a theory entirely separate from Rational Choice theory. So, in keeping with this discovery and despite my better judgment, I will do my best to relay and critique the information I find on either one or both theories and then compare only Social Exchange theory to the Symbolic Interaction framework. Although I will try to get the same information for both theories, there are not many resources which describe Social Exchange theory, and there are far more for Rational Choice theory, so the critique and discussion may be a little lopsided.
The definition of the Social Exchange theory in very simple language is a model describing an exchange of benefits. In the case of the Social Exchange theory, these benefits need not be monetary or tangible, but certainly could be, if that was what was needed (Molm, 2006, p.30). According to Linda Molm, “People depend on one another for much of what they need and value in social life, and they provide these benefits to each other through the process of social exchange” (Molm, 2006, p.24). The longer definition and the focus of the Social Exchange framework as defined by Linda Molm are “the benefits that people obtain from, and contribute to, social interaction and the opportunity structures and interdependencies that govern those exc...
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...ychological Theories (pp. 02-30). Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=8Jzkgbq2vYwC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0
Cook, K., Levi, M., O'Brien, J., & Faye, H. (2008). Introduction: The limits of rationality. In K. Cook & M. Levi (Eds.), The Limits of Rationality (pp. 02-47). Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=7M82yReFf4sC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=social exchange and rational choice theory definition
McCall. (2006). Symbolic interaction theory. In P. Burke (Ed.), Contemporary Social Psychological Theories (pp. 1-12). Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=7M82yReFf4sC&dq=social exchange and rational choice theory definition
Dowding, K. (2011). Rational choice theory. In M. Bevir (Ed.), The SAGE Handbook of Governance (pp. 36-40). Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=dU8BNNYnZesC&printsec=frontcover
[6] Turley Mings and Matthew Marlin, [The Study of Economics: Principles, Concepts & Applications] (Dushkin McGraw-Hill, 2000) 413-414.
Rational Choice Theory - Rational choice theory, as defined by the textbook, is "A perspective on crime causation that holds that criminality is the result of conscious choice. Rational choice theory predicts that individuals will choose to commit crime when the benefits of doing so outweigh the costs of disobeying the law" (Schmalleger 76). It is an economic principle that assumes that individuals always make prudent and logical decisions that provide them with the greatest benefits or satisfaction and that are in their highest self-interest. It should also be noted that most mainstream economic assumptions and theories are based on rational choice theory. According to the lawdictionary.org, rational choice theory "attempts to explain social phenomenon in terms of how self-interested individuals make choices under the influence of their preferences. All parties try to maximize their advantage, and to minimize their disadvantages" (lawdictionary.org). An example of rational choice theory would be a person stealing money from a company that they work for, with the intent of having the benefit of getting rich at no cost. The person believes that he or she will not get caught, thus not having to pay any costs, making it a rational decision or choice in their
We understand and perform on social objects. Our most important form of social objects are people. Symbolic interactionism is also called symbolic interaction perspective, the major framework of sociological theory as we know it today. People rely upon interaction with others; socializing has become the key factor of our everyday lives. Symbolic Interactionism is the meanings that we impose on objects, people, and sometimes even behaviors. Our society is a huge structure built by human interpretations.
Alford and Friedland, Chapter Seven, “State and Society in Managerial Perspective,'; in Powers of Theory, 1985, p.161-83.
This theory examines society as a complex collection of relationships and beliefs among people (Claerbaut, 2004). These relationships among people consist of the core of society. According to this perspective, society could not function without them. In regards to how people interact in their relationships, Boundless.com states, “The basic notion of symbolic interactionism is that human action and interaction are understandable only through the exchange of meaningful communication or symbols. In this approach, humans are portrayed as acting, as opposed to being acted upon.” Ashley Crossman further describes the symbolic interactionalism perspective by
List and briefly explain all the theories on social change from Harper (chapter 3) and Massey 's (chapter 3) book. Then comment on which theory or theories you think make more sense in explaining social change, and use examples to back up your statements.
When studying in the field of Sociology everyone is going to approach topics in a different manner. No two people are going to have the exact same view on a particular subject. There are however, three major categories in which people might choose to approach topics. The approaches are know as sociological perspectives and are the functionalist, conflict, and interactionist perspectives. These perspectives name different ways in which different people choose to analyze a subject, and how they look at a society as a whole. The following paragraphs compare and contrast the three, and identify major characteristics of each.
Social norms are the rules of behavior that are acceptable within members of a society. They are acceptable expectations that must be followed by a group or society. Some social norms are flexible according to the environment or situation. These norms also vary within different cultures, social groups, and social classes. Interactions provide the social setting for appropriate behavior and is the basis for the social roles that individuals play as a member of a social group. As each social role is portrayed, a proper behavior must manifest to fit the expectations of that role. These basic terms of social norms, interactions, and roles are associated with the Symbolic Interactionism Theory, which focuses on the actions of an individual and the social interaction that individual contributes to. The framework of the theory is dependent upon the social interactions between individuals and the meaning that is given to their actions.
Symbolic Interaction Theory Developed in the late 19th century, symbolic interactionism dealt with people and how they hold the relationship with one another. George Herbert Mead, even though never published his work, is said to be the founder of symbolic interaction (Introduction to sociology 2015). This theory deals with the relationships we have with one another. If an individual is trying to use symbolic interaction in a scientific manner, they would observe the patterns someone faces. Certain patterns all come back to a certain event any individual has had in the past.
Rational choice theory, developed by Ronald Clarke and Derek Cornish in 1985, is a revival of Cesare Becca...
Rational choice theory, also known simply as choice theory, is the assessment of a potential offender to commit a crime. Choice theory is the belief that committing a crime is a rational decision, based on cost benefit analysis. The would-be offender will weigh the costs of committing a particular crime: fines, jail time, and imprisonment versus the benefits: money, status, heightened adrenaline. Depending on which factors out-weigh the other, a criminal will decide to commit or forgo committing a crime. This decision making process makes committing a crime a rational choice. This theory can be used to explain why an offender will decide to commit burglary, robbery, aggravated assault, or murder.
What is Rational Choice? Rational choice theory is when violating behavior occurs when the offender commits crimes as a personal factor or situational factor. A personal factor is someone getting revenge on someone or just to steal money. A situational factor is where it targets the victim’s vulnerability. For a
Rational choice theory/rational action theory, is a structure used by sociologist and criminologist to enumerate crime and often formally modeling socio-economic behavior.
To fully understand the Social Exchange theory is to understand its concept. The Social Exchange theory, as stated by Unger and Johns...
George Herbert Mead begins his discussion of symbolic interactionism (talking with others) by defining three core principles that deal with meaning, language, and thought. The theory states that meaning is the construction of social reality. Humans act toward people or things on the basis of the meanings they assign to those people or things.