Alle Publikationen
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2015
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(2015): Why not? On axiomatizing sociological action theory. In: Zeitschrift für Soziologie (44.2), S. 83-98
Abstract: This contribution demonstrates that two different approaches to decision theory, i.e. the axiomatic theories of bounded rationality (Rubinstein 1998) and the new sociological theory of action, share the common goal of developing a decision theory that describes what actually happens inside the minds of decision makers. Additionally, it is argued that sociological action theory has need of such an axiomatic method. This is illustrated by providing a partial characterization of the model of frame selection developed by Esser (2001) and Kroneberg (2005), arguably the most influential model in action theory in German sociological discourse.
Keywords: Axiomatic Theory, Bounded Rationality, CONSUMERS BEHAVIOR, COOPERATION, Decision theory, DEFINITION, Disziplin, Entscheidungsforschung, ESSER,HARTMUT, FRAME-SELECTION, model, Procedural Decision Making, PURE THEORY, RATIONAL CHOICE, Scripts, SITUATION, Soziologie, Soziologisches Handlungsmodell von Hartmut Esser, VOLUNTEERS 2011
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(2011): Autonome Technik als Herausforderung der soziologischen Handlungstheorie / Autonomous Technology as a Challenge to the Sociological Theory of Action. In: Zeitschrift für Soziologie 40 (2), S. 91-111. DOI: 10.1515/zfsoz-2011-0201
Abstract: Die vorliegende Abhandlung entwickelt ein soziologisches Modell, welches das „Mit-Handeln“ von Technik beschreibt und in einer Weise operationalisiert, dass die Frage der Handlungsträgerschaft empirisch untersucht werden kann. Es wird gezeigt, dass die von der Actor-Network-Theory thematisierten Phänomene auch im Rahmen einer soziologischen Handlungstheorie betrachtet werden können, die sich auf das Esser’sche Modell soziologischer Erklärung stützt. Das Ergebnis ist ein Modell soziologischer Erklärung hybrider Systeme, das die Interaktion von menschlichen Akteuren und nicht-menschlichen Aktanten beschreibt. Zu dessen Überprüfung wurden Experimente in einem selbst programmierten Fahrsimulator durchgeführt. Deren Auswertung belegt, dass die Probanden den technischen Assistenzsystemen Handlungsträgerschaft zuschreiben und das Verhältnis Mensch-Technik als ein symmetrisches wahrnehmen. Zudem tendieren sie dazu, sich je nach Handlungsverteilung der Verfolgung bestimmter Ziele zu entledigen, obwohl nach den Spielregeln „humans“ und „non-humans“ gleichermaßen für die Verfolgung aller Ziele verantwortlich waren.
Keywords: actor network theory, Actor-Network-Theory, agency, Agent-based Modelling, Agent-Based Modelling and Simulation, ANT, ANT und ANT mit Esserschem Modell, autonome Technik, Operationiliserung technischen Handelns, Autonomous Technology, Computer Simulation, Disziplin, doppelter Treffer, Esser, Experimental Sociology, Favoriten, Handlungsträgerschaft, Man-Machine Interaction, Model of Sociological Explanation, Modelle/Theorien, Soziologie, Soziologisches Handlungsmodell von Hartmut Esser, Theory of Action 2009
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(2009): The individualistic research program in sociology. development, present state, and problems. In: Zeitschrift für Soziologie (38.1), S. 26-47
Abstract: After an account of the beginnings of the individualistic research program (IRP) at the Department of Sociology of the University of Cologne and its later development, an explication of the program is provided. Based on the well-known micro-macro model ("Coleman boat") the possible problems of the IRP are identified and then discussed. In regard to the applied micro-theory it is argued that there are fewer problems if a wide instead of a narrow version of the theory of rational action is applied. If micro-macro relationships (bridge assumptions) are empirical, it is argued that they are singular causal statements (i.e., not laws) and that the micro-theories of the IRP (such as value expectancy theory) can be applied. The article further discusses variants of the micro-macro model and the claim that collective concepts can be reconstructed as properties of individuals.
2008
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(2008): Vom rationalen Akteur zum „systemic dope“. Eine Auseinandersetzung mit der Sozialtheorie von Hartmut Esser*. In: Berliner Journal für Soziologie 18 (1), S. 156-178. DOI: 10.1007/s11609-008-0008-5
Abstract: In the past fifteen years Hartmut Esser has developed an integrative social theory, that tries to resolve the contradictions between the sociological theory of action on the one hand and the economic model of behaviour on the other hand. This article attempts to show that Esser loses track of his two main reference points in the development of his social theory: on the one hand the model of an explanatory sociology and on the other hand the RREEMM-Modell of a creative and resourceful actor bounded by restrictions. This can be shown especially with regard to two aspects of his theory: Firstly, Esser's connection between the theory of action and systems theory leads to an undercomplex and empirically wrong description of the ancillary conditions of action in specific situations; secondly, the approach contains a theoretical explanation of action decisions, that does not consider appropriately some of the sociologically most important types of social action. Therefore, the conditions for a correct explanation of social phenomena are not given in Esser's social theory.
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(2008): The Three Logics of Selection theory of Action as Theory of Defining the Situation. In: Zeitschrift für Soziologie (37.5), S. 362-379
Abstract: Using Hartmut Esser's model of frame selection as a point of reference, this paper examines how different ways of defining a situation influence the selection of action. The introduction of the model of frame selection has substantially changed the theory of action within the macro-micro-macro-model of sociological explanation. The theory of action has become closely related to the sociology of knowledge: the theory of action as the theory of defining the situation. This paper contributes to this theoretical approach. It is argued that the criteria for selecting between the interpretive patterns which orient and guide actions depend on three different forms of defining the situation: (1) defining the situation constatively, i.e. identifying the characteristics of a given situation; anti two forms of defining the situation performatively: (2) constituting the situation by referring to a definition of the situation which is effectively enforceable or (3) constituting the situation by referring to a definition of the situation which is commonly shared. The assumption that the different ways of selecting between interpretive patterns depend on these three forms of defining the situation contradicts the view of the current model of frame selection, which in this respect refers to the difference between an automatic-spontaneous and a reflective-calculating mode of selection.
2007
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(2007): Keines für alle!. In: KOLNER ZEITSCHRIFT FUR SOZIOLOGIE UND SOZIALPSYCHOLOGIE 59 (2), S. 340-349. DOI: 10.1007/s11577-007-0032-z
Abstract: The article is an answer to Hartmut Esser's "One for All? The Weber Paradigm, the Moderate Methodological Holism Concept and the Sociological Explanation Model", published earlier in this journal (KZfSS 58: 352-363). It explicates the differences between Essers sociological explanation model and the alternative model of moderate methodological holism. It analyses Esser's misunderstandings and shows that his model - contrary to Esser's "official" announcement - doesn't entail the concept of macrodetermination, which is rightly so, because it doesn't fit with Essers reductionist approach. The ontological and anthropological conceptions underlying the two explanation models are very different and lead to different methodologies.
2005
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(2005): The definition of the situation and the variable rationality of actors - a general model of action. In: Zeitschrift für Soziologie (34.5), S. 344-363
Abstract: This article presents a general model of action based on Hartmut Esser's theory of frame-selection, which overcomes the central objections to the previous formalizations of the theory. This model explains how an actor defines a situation (frame-selection), which program of action he activates (script-selection), and which action he is willing to perform (action-selection). Proceeding from the assumption that the rationality of actors is variable, it goes on to specify the conditions under which an actor will consciously choose the alternative which will maximize his subjectively expected utility (reflecting-calculating mode) as opposed to those under which he will select - without any prior reflection - a mentally strongly accessible alternative (automatic-spontaneous mode). Thus the attempt is made to integrate concepts of action from sociology, economics, and social psychology into a general and formally precise theory of action.
2004
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(2004): General theory of action? Inconsistencies in Hartmut Esser's action theory. In: Zeitschrift für Soziologie (186-205), S. 186-205
Abstract: In this article Hartmut Esser's claim to have designed a "general theory of action" is analyzed critically. This reveals that Esser's action theory contains remediable inconsistencies due to the modeling of the theoretical statements. The application of fuzzy-logic is proposed to provide for more adequate and simpler modeling. Basically it is questionable whether the "psychologization of sociology", which is a consequence of his framing-concept, is the right way for a sociology that is interested in explaining social aggregations.
2000
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(2000): Alfred Schütz — Ökonom und/oder Soziologe?. In: KOLNER ZEITSCHRIFT FUR SOZIOLOGIE UND SOZIALPSYCHOLOGIE 52 (4), S. 761-782. DOI: 10.1007/s11577-000-0106-7
Abstract: In 1996, Hartmut Esser published a rational choice model of the "Definition of the Situation" in this journal (KZfSS 48, 1996: 1-34). This work is based on his economic interpretation of the theory of Alfred Schutz, a co-founder of interpretative sociology. This paper analyses Hartmut Esser's attempt to reconstruct the sociological concept of the definition of the situation by means of economic theory. It shows that Esser's misinterpretations and abridgements of the theory of Alfred Schutz (this is especially true of the interactive aspects) lead to considerable discrepancies between Esser and Schutz in modelling the definition of the situation. In his economic modelling of the definition of the situation Esser fails to conceive the sociological essence of this concept (the construction of sense structures) because he formulates a model of rational behavior in accordance with the economic tradition. Schutz, however, advocates the construction of rational models of human behavior, which also includes "irrational" (not utility-maximizing) or "sense"-directed behavior.
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(2000): Dreamscape: Simulation of the emergence of norms out of the state of nature using a computer-based rational choice model. In: Zeitschrift für Soziologie (29.6)
Abstract: This paper illustrates the use of computer simulation for the formalization of theories. The multi-agent model Dreamscape is an operationalization of Esser's Rational Choice Theory with a multi-agent system. The author examines the dynamics of the Rational Choice Theory by analyzing the emergence of social order our of the "state of nature" (Hobbes). The computer-based rational choice model Dreamscape models the "state of nature" as described by Hobbes with relative exactness. The computer-based analysis shows that conjunct norms emerge if deadly violence is not allowed. Oil the other hand, if individuals use deadly violence no social order emerges. A further result is the demand for an extension of the rules that regulate the creation of bridge hypotheses, which guide the operationalization of Esser's rational choice theory.
1999
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(1999): Soziologie. Allgemeine Grundlagen. 3. Aufl.. Frankfurt/M.: Campus-Verl.
Abstract: KAPITEL 7: Modellierung sozialer Prozesse;
1991
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Esser, Hartmut; Troitzsch, Klaus G. (Hg.) (1991): Modellierung sozialer Prozesse. Neuere Ansätze und Überlegungen zur soziologischen Theoriebildung. Ausgewählte Beiträge zu Tagungen der Arbeitsgruppe "modellierung sozialer Prozesse" der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Sozilogie. Wiesbaden, Germany: Springer VS
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