1.1 Sociological Perspectives Flashcards
what is determinism?
behaviour is entirely shaped by external forces e.g. society
what is free will?
individuals exercise choice over their own life
what are structural sociologists?
those who emphasise the power of society over the individual
what are social action/interpretive sociologists?
those who stress free will
what do structuralists say society is a system of? and what does it do?
interrelated parts
socialises us into our roles, norms and values
exercises social control over our actions
Structuralists prefer macro-sociology, what does this mean?
looking at the whole of society as a system
what are some examples of the ways society controls our behaviour?
media
education system
parents + teachers
tell us what to say, do, wear
what does social action involve individuals doing?
acting on & shaping society through their interactions
why is social action also known as interpretivist?
people interpret and give meaning to their actions and others motives
norms and values are seen as flexible and open to interpretation
interpretivists prefer micro-sociology what does this mean?
looking in depth at individuals and their experiences to understand behaviour
structural sociologists can be split into two groups what are these groups?
consensus theorists
conflict theorists
what do consensus theorists see society as?
society is based on agreement over shared norms and values
what do conflict theorists see society as?
characterised by conflicts of interests, powerful groups impose their norms and values on weaker groups
Is functionalism a conflict or consensus theory?
consensus
functionalists believe society has basic needs, how are these needs met? and what is it possible by?
by cooperation, solidarity and social order
shared norms and values
in order to have shared norms and values what do functionalists believe we need to have?
effective socialisation
in order to have effective socialisation, what do functionalists say we need mechanisms of?
social control
which French sociologist was the first to develop functionalism?
Emile Durkheim
what did Durkheim argue society was greater than? what did he mean?
the sum of its parts
exists outside the individuals who make it up
what are social facts?
institutions and morals in society that have a life of their own
if social facts persist overtime what must they serve?
purpose or function
what makes society work?
individuals being socialised into accepting norms
what analogy did Durkheim use to explain society?
organic analogy
explain Durkheim’s organic analogy?
different parts of society are similar to parts of the body each institution has its own role and they all work together for the smooth functioning of society.
give examples of events that bring people together and emphasise shared values according to functionalists:
Olympics wars royal events natural disasters celebrations Christmas
what are 3 criticisms of functionalism?
assumes everyone shares the same norms and values (different backgrounds, cultures)
ignores conflict
optimistic
doesn’t explain change
who was the founder of Marxism?
Karl Marx
is Marxism a conflict or consensus theory?
conflict theory
marx developed historic materialism what is this belief?
the belief society is based on physical resources and how we make them as opposed to norms and values
what is change in society caused through?
change in the mode of production or relations of production
what is the mode of production?
the technology
what are the relations of production?
the system of owners and workers
what 2 groups does capitalism consist of according to Marxists?
the bourgeoisie
the proletariat
who are the bourgeoisie?
the ruling class who own and control the means of production
who are the proletariat?
the workers who own nothing and work to survive
what do the ruling class take from the working classes work?
profit in the form of surplus value
what leads to class conflict?
class conflict
what did marx believe capitalism was?
evil, unjust and exploitative system
what did marx predict would eventually happen?
revolution leading to communism as the working class became more aware of their exploitation eventually to overthrow capitalism
what do social action theorists argue society is the result of?
people coming together and trying to make sense of their own and others behaviour
how are people able to work out what is happening?
by bringing a set of interpretations or meanings to social situation which they use the make sense of the situation
according to social action theorists what does socialisation involve learning?
shared interpretations and meanings for given social interactions
give an example of what families teach us? (social action)
how to interact and interpret the actions of others
give an example of what education does? (social action)
brings us in contact with social groups and teaches us how to interpret social action
what are the 3 components social action theorists suggest identity involves?
personal identity
social identity
the self
personal identity refers to the aspects of individuality that identify people as what?
unique and distinct from others
give some examples of things that are included in personal identity in aspects of individuality:
name
nickname
photo
signature
social identity refers to what?
the characteristics and qualities that particular culture associates with certain social roles or groups
as children grow what sorts of social identities will they acquire?
brother/sister
best friend
student
how will children know what is expected of their social identities?
socialisation and interaction will make it clear what obligations, duties and behaviour are expected of their role
what is the self?
the individuals subjective sense of their own identity and uniqueness
what is the self partly the product of?
what other’s think is expected of a persons social identity
what is the self a result of?
how the individual interprets their life history and experience
what can the labelling theory help us understand?
how some parts of society may be responsible for socialising people into identities that may have negative consequences
what is a self fulfilling prophecy?
when a person internalises a label
give an example of how a girl being labelled a troublemaker becomes a self fulfilling prophecy:
girl is labelled troublemaker by teachers
isn’t taken seriously
blamed for things she hasn’t done
thinks what is the point
starts to internalise the label and behave as a trouble maker
what is a master status?
a label that overrides every other label defining the person in other people’s minds
give an example of a master status?
murderer
