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A Level Sociology > 1.1 Sociological Perspectives > Flashcards

1.1 Sociological Perspectives Flashcards

1
Q

what is determinism?

A

behaviour is entirely shaped by external forces e.g. society

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2
Q

what is free will?

A

individuals exercise choice over their own life

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3
Q

what are structural sociologists?

A

those who emphasise the power of society over the individual

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4
Q

what are social action/interpretive sociologists?

A

those who stress free will

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5
Q

what do structuralists say society is a system of? and what does it do?

A

interrelated parts
socialises us into our roles, norms and values
exercises social control over our actions

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6
Q

Structuralists prefer macro-sociology, what does this mean?

A

looking at the whole of society as a system

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7
Q

what are some examples of the ways society controls our behaviour?

A

media
education system
parents + teachers
tell us what to say, do, wear

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8
Q

what does social action involve individuals doing?

A

acting on & shaping society through their interactions

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9
Q

why is social action also known as interpretivist?

A

people interpret and give meaning to their actions and others motives
norms and values are seen as flexible and open to interpretation

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10
Q

interpretivists prefer micro-sociology what does this mean?

A

looking in depth at individuals and their experiences to understand behaviour

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11
Q

structural sociologists can be split into two groups what are these groups?

A

consensus theorists

conflict theorists

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12
Q

what do consensus theorists see society as?

A

society is based on agreement over shared norms and values

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13
Q

what do conflict theorists see society as?

A

characterised by conflicts of interests, powerful groups impose their norms and values on weaker groups

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14
Q

Is functionalism a conflict or consensus theory?

A

consensus

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15
Q

functionalists believe society has basic needs, how are these needs met? and what is it possible by?

A

by cooperation, solidarity and social order

shared norms and values

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16
Q

in order to have shared norms and values what do functionalists believe we need to have?

A

effective socialisation

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17
Q

in order to have effective socialisation, what do functionalists say we need mechanisms of?

A

social control

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18
Q

which French sociologist was the first to develop functionalism?

A

Emile Durkheim

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19
Q

what did Durkheim argue society was greater than? what did he mean?

A

the sum of its parts

exists outside the individuals who make it up

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20
Q

what are social facts?

A

institutions and morals in society that have a life of their own

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21
Q

if social facts persist overtime what must they serve?

A

purpose or function

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22
Q

what makes society work?

A

individuals being socialised into accepting norms

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23
Q

what analogy did Durkheim use to explain society?

A

organic analogy

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24
Q

explain Durkheim’s organic analogy?

A

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.

25
Q

give examples of events that bring people together and emphasise shared values according to functionalists:

A 
Olympics
wars
royal events
natural disasters
celebrations 
Christmas
26
Q

what are 3 criticisms of functionalism?

A

assumes everyone shares the same norms and values (different backgrounds, cultures)
ignores conflict
optimistic
doesn’t explain change

27
Q

who was the founder of Marxism?

A

Karl Marx

28
Q

is Marxism a conflict or consensus theory?

A

conflict theory

29
Q

marx developed historic materialism what is this belief?

A

the belief society is based on physical resources and how we make them as opposed to norms and values

30
Q

what is change in society caused through?

A

change in the mode of production or relations of production

31
Q

what is the mode of production?

A

the technology

32
Q

what are the relations of production?

A

the system of owners and workers

33
Q

what 2 groups does capitalism consist of according to Marxists?

A

the bourgeoisie

the proletariat

34
Q

who are the bourgeoisie?

A

the ruling class who own and control the means of production

35
Q

who are the proletariat?

A

the workers who own nothing and work to survive

36
Q

what do the ruling class take from the working classes work?

A

profit in the form of surplus value

37
Q

what leads to class conflict?

A

class conflict

38
Q

what did marx believe capitalism was?

A

evil, unjust and exploitative system

39
Q

what did marx predict would eventually happen?

A 
revolution leading to communism
as the working class became more aware of their exploitation eventually to overthrow capitalism
40
Q

what do social action theorists argue society is the result of?

A

people coming together and trying to make sense of their own and others behaviour

41
Q

how are people able to work out what is happening?

A

by bringing a set of interpretations or meanings to social situation which they use the make sense of the situation

42
Q

according to social action theorists what does socialisation involve learning?

A

shared interpretations and meanings for given social interactions

43
Q

give an example of what families teach us? (social action)

A

how to interact and interpret the actions of others

44
Q

give an example of what education does? (social action)

A

brings us in contact with social groups and teaches us how to interpret social action

45
Q

what are the 3 components social action theorists suggest identity involves?

A

personal identity
social identity
the self

46
Q

personal identity refers to the aspects of individuality that identify people as what?

A

unique and distinct from others

47
Q

give some examples of things that are included in personal identity in aspects of individuality:

A

name
nickname
photo
signature

48
Q

social identity refers to what?

A

the characteristics and qualities that particular culture associates with certain social roles or groups

49
Q

as children grow what sorts of social identities will they acquire?

A

brother/sister
best friend
student

50
Q

how will children know what is expected of their social identities?

A

socialisation and interaction will make it clear what obligations, duties and behaviour are expected of their role

51
Q

what is the self?

A

the individuals subjective sense of their own identity and uniqueness

52
Q

what is the self partly the product of?

A

what other’s think is expected of a persons social identity

53
Q

what is the self a result of?

A

how the individual interprets their life history and experience

54
Q

what can the labelling theory help us understand?

A

how some parts of society may be responsible for socialising people into identities that may have negative consequences

55
Q

what is a self fulfilling prophecy?

A

when a person internalises a label

56
Q

give an example of how a girl being labelled a troublemaker becomes a self fulfilling prophecy:

A

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

57
Q

what is a master status?

A

a label that overrides every other label defining the person in other people’s minds

58
Q

give an example of a master status?

A

murderer

A Level Sociology (90 decks)

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