Basics Flashcards
Define sociology
The study of society - aims to find out how society works from positive and negative aspects
Define society
Society is a large social group that shares the same geographical territory and is subject to the same political authority and cultural expectations
What is ascribed status
Ascribed status is someone who was born with an important status
What is achieved status
Achieved status is someone who had to work hard to gain their status
What is cultural diversity
Cultural diversity means not all society Jesy have the same culture
Eg- UK and China have different approaches to things
What is cultural universals
Some people may judge another culture as it’s very different to their own - the acceptance that there are differences but every culture should be treated the same
What is cultural relativism
Culture relativism is where some cultures share the same idea
Eg- family
WhT are Norms
Norms are the unspoken and unwritten rules of behaviour in everyday life
What are values
Values are the beliefs that we all share that form the basis for our norms
What does role mean
Role means the part we play in society
What is status
Status is the position a person has in out society
What do functionalists believe
Functionalists believe every institution in a society play a role and work together to ensure society runs smoothly
They compare society to a human body
Structuralist perspective
What do Marxists believe
Marxists believe that society is divided into two classes
Bourgeoisie and proletariat
Two classes are in conflict as the railing class only stay in power by exploiting their workers
What do feminists believe
Feminists believe society is divided by sex
Men have all the power (patriarchy)
They want men and women to have equal rights
~~ your status affects your status
What are the key beliefs of the new right
They want a return to traditional values
They see anything that goes against these values as deviant
~~ things should be more traditional
Who is known as the father of sociology
Emile Durkheim is known as the father of sociology
What type of theory is a consensus theory and why
Functionalism is a consensus theory as it believes society is in agreement
Who is Talcott Parsons and what did he believe
functionalist (1902 - 1979)
Talcott Parsons played a vital role in the development of functionalism as a sociological approach
He saw society as a system of interrelated institutions which contributed to its smooth running and continuity
He thought the main role of an institution was to socialise individuals and ensure that they understood the underlying values of their society and behaved in acceptable ways.
What is primary socialisation
Functionalism
Primary socialisation = socialised into the Norms and values of a society by your family
What is secondary socialisation
Functionalism
Secondary socialisation is a continuation of socialism into the norms and values of society by social institutions other than family
Strengths of functionalism
-benefit everyone
Positive view on society
Ideal
All have to play a role
Weaknesses of functionalism
Doesn’t acknowledge conflict
Too idealistic
Not everyone has the same opportunities
Assumes all socialisation is the same - ignores cultural differences
Who is Karl Marx and what does he believe
Marxism was first developed by Karl Marx (1818 - 1883)
Thought individual behaviour was shaped by society but he believed that the economic system defined society and peoples place within it
Structuralist perspective
Strengths of Marxism
Strengths -
Benefits working class
Points out problems in the class system
Weaknesses of Marxism
Too negative - communism isn’t a perfect solution
Underestimates the proletariat
Doesn’t consider other inequalities (gender)
What is the bourgeoisie
Bourgeoise (capitalists) are a small powerful group who owned the factories and other places of employment
What are the proletariat
The proletariat are the “workers” in the hands of the bourgeoise”
Unaware of the “exploitation” from the bourgeoisie that’s why a conflict has never arisen
What are the four basic features of feminism
1) there are inequalities in power and status between men and women and the idea that men dominate women and subordinate to them in most areas of social life
2) these inequalities generate differences of interest and conflict between men and women - they are conflict theories
3) gender roles and inequalities are socially constructed and can be changed
4) a recognition of patriarchy. Walby sees patriarchy embedded in 6 structures which combine to keep women in a position of subordination
What are walnuts 6 structures of patriarchy
1) the household: women have a responsibility for housework and childcare limiting work opportunities
2) paid work: lower paid, lower status and more part time temporary jobs
3) the state: policies are primarily in men’s interest (tampon tax)
4) sexuality: different standard of behaviour expected of men and women
5) male violence: domestic violence and rape are condoned or ignored inadequately tacked by the state
6) cultural institutions: religion, media, education and other institutions all reinforce patriarchy
Name the different types of feminism
Liberal
Radical
Marxist
What do liberal feminists believe
Liberal believe we can gain equality though changes of legislation- inequalities because of stereotyping, gender role socialisation
1975 sex discrimination act/ 1970 equal pay act
Strengths and weaknesses of liberal feminism
Strengths:
Research had produced evidence gender differences are socially constructed
Weaknesses:
Only deals with subordination rather than challenged fundamental causes
What do radical feminists believe
Radical:
Regard patriarchy as the most fundamental form of inequality
Believe all relationships with men will involve sexual politics - power struggle
Women should free themselves from oppression by living their lives separate
Criticisms of radical feminism
-assumes all women share common interest- fails to recognise other factors eg race
Fails to acknowledge improvements
Doesn’t offer any solution
Sees men as enemy
What do Marxist feminists believe
Marxist feminists:
Believe capitalism is the source of women’s inequality
Women used as cheap labour- childcare etc
Ansley- women are “takers of shit” they absorb men’s anger at their exploitation at work which helps to keep capitalism stable
Criticisms of Marxists feminism
Marxist feminism:
Fail to explain patriarchy has existed in all known society not just capitalist ones
Men not just capitalism benefit from women’s subordination and who enjoy positions of power and status
What happened in the first wave of Demi’s jam
First feminist wave:
Women’s suffrage
Women campaigned and won the right to vote in 1928
De Jure - officially mandated inequality
1972 book- a vindication of the rights of women by Mary Wollstonecraft
Focus on political rights
What happened in the second wave of feminism
Second wave of feminism:
De Facto- unofficial inequalities
Began around 1960s
Reproductive
Equality in the workplace
Divorce laws
Focus on legal and social inequalities
1970 pay act and 1975 sex discrimination act
What happened in the third wave of feminism
Third wave of feminism:
Gender violence
Reclaiming derogatory terms
Began around the 1990s
Over emphasis on upper middle class white women
Began Around 1990s
What happened in the fourth wave of feminism
Fourth wave:
Began around 1912
Focuses on:
Sexual harassment, including street harassment
Workplace discrimination
Body shaming
Sexist imagery in the media
Online misogyny
Key ideas of new right
New right key ideas:
An emphasis on the individual rather than the group
A strong support for free enterprise (market capitalism)
An emphasis on competition and choice as a way of driving up standards in public services such as health care and education
Reduced state provision of welfare benefits- self sufficient
