SOC 302 Study Guide - Final Guide: Altruistic Suicide, Charismatic Authority, Social Fact
Document Summary
Study guide: max weber"s four types of social action are instrumental rational, value rational, affectual, and traditional. Instrumental rational action involves the actor demonstrating a clear rationalization of the ends, means, and secondary results of his action. This type of action is calculated and rationally pursued; the actor takes into account the expectations of objects and humans in the surrounding environment. Value rational action is determined by a conscious belief in a particular value for ethical, moral, religious, etc. reasons outside of the prospects of success. Affectual action is determined by the actor"s emotional state. An action that would not be considered a social action to weber would be one that does not involve conscious thought or involvement of others. For example, a car accident or a plane crash would not be considered social action: charismatic authority does not have longevity because it has no solid ground.
