“Max weber” stated that, there are four ideal types of social actions. Which are as follow, goal rational social action, value rational social action, affective social action and traditional social action. Before moving on to the ideal types of social action, it is important for reader to understand that, what weber meant by the ideal types of social action? Mentioned ideal types of social action, may not occur similarly in real world as it is explained in weber theory. However, it may exist and occur in the real world as, a mixture or contaminated form of social action. He explained the types of actions in the context of ideal world or as ideas.
Goal Rational Social Action
This type of social action is goal oriented and the motive of the goal is derived from the desires of actor. However, the goal should be realistic and actor should have means which are required to achieve the goal. In goal rational action; individual set a goal and he uses the efficient ways or means to achieve it. Moreover, the goal and the means should be rational or justifiable. For example, an individual may want highest score in the class, however, to accomplish that goal, he has to work hard and give more time to study and do not let his emotions come in a way of accomplishing his goal. If he does not give time to his studies and yet want to score high in class then his goal and mean of achieving it is considered to be irrational or unrealistic.
Value Rational Social Action
In value rational social action, goal and means of achieving end is derived and determined by values. This type of social action is also considered to be rational however, the rationality of that action is justified by the actor from his set of beliefs, which may be aesthetic, religious, constitutional, and based on profession policy. For example, individuals who are in the following professions, Police, clergy and lawyers are supposed to choose goals and means to accomplishing it, under a particular code and rules, which efficiency and effectiveness cannot be questioned by them.
Affective Social Action
Such social action is motivated by the emotions of individual. This type of social action is considered to be the most irrational action. For example, if a football player gets angry during a match and in that moment of anger, he hits opponent team player, he knows that such action will weaken their team position and may affect his career, despite knowing the consequences he hits the player. The reason why “weber” called it the most irrational social action.
Traditional Social Action
Traditional social action is derived from the customs of society. For example if someone eat food with their bare hands and someone asks why are you not eating with fork and knife? If he/she replies that, my ancestor used to eat with bare hands that’s why I am eating too that way, such social action will come into the category of traditional social action.
