Answer:
a perspective that looks at meanings and interpretations of society
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the social action theory stresses the ability of individuals to exert control over their own actions. the individual is no passive receptacle of society's directives, but an active creator of social behaviour. so it is society which is constructed by the individuals, and not the other way around, as the social system theory believes. human beings are capable of conscious thought and this enables them to be aware of themselves and others as social beings. they have their own motives and beliefs, and their own interpretation of the meaning of a situation, they control their own actions. social action perspectives are so called because of this emphasis on people taking action, on directing their own behaviour. this approach is also known as an interpretive perspective because it sees people interpreting and giving meaning to a situation and to the actions and motives of others.