Basics Of Sociology Flashcards
Karl Marx
Believes that capitalism oppresses working class and there needs to be a revolution to make all people equal
Emile Durkheim
Was a functionalist who believed society is made up of institutions each with its own functions which work together to create a stable society
Max Weber
Thought that sociologists should study both structures and actions to understand society
Culture describes a groups?
Language, believes, norms, values, knowledge and skills
Culture varies?
Over time and place
How is culture passed on?
Through socialisation passed on from generations
Socialisation comes from who?
Families, schools, friends, religion the media and work
What happens when you become socialised?
Societies values are internalised so that they become part of your way of thinking
Basic level of identity describes what?
Name, age, appearance…
A deeper level of identity explains what?
The way you see your self and the way others view you
What is the deeper level of identity influenced by?
Class, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality and the roles you have in society such as teacher sister and cousin
What is globalisation?
Globalisation is the idea that the world is becoming more connected due to improved technology and communication
What does social differentiation mean?
The way that society can be divided up into different groups
What’s an example of social differentiation
Biological features such as age or sex and cultural features such as class or religion
What is stratification?
Stratification is another way society is split into different groups but these groups are ordered into layers in a hierarchy
What is stratification usually based on?
Social class. The top layer is normally made up of the richest and most powerful people and the bottom is often the poorest people with little power
What is power usually based on?
Wealth
What ability do those in power have?
They have the ability to get someone to do something they wouldn’t usually do
Sociologists argue that those in power do what?
Use it to control society so that hey can remain in power
What does functionalists say about individuals?
Individuals are a p odict of society
What is the structural theory?
The functionalist view that society is made up of institutions to allow society to run smoothly
Name the 5 institutions
Media, religion, school, family, criminal justice system
What is the function if the family?
To care and socialise the next generation
What’s the function of the education system
To prepare young people for adult society
Religion has what function?
To unite society through shared beliefs
What do internationalists believe functionalists don’t focus on?
Individuals
What do Marxists believe that functionalists ignore
The unequal power of some groups. They believe society is structured to serve the interests of the rich
Why do Marxists believe that class conflict is the most important force in society?
Workers are employed to produce goods that will make a profit most of which is kept by the employer
If workers were allowed to notice the unfairness what did Marx think would happen?
A revolution
What prevents a revolution?
Superstructure. Family education and religion are a part of the super structure to make sure workers accept what they have in life
How did Marx believe society was divided?
Into 2 classes Bourgeoisie - ruling class they are minority with all the money and power Proletariat- working class they formed most of society but had little or no power
What is neo-Marxism
20th century version of Marxism it is more relevant to the newer world focusing on ideas and beliefs
What do functionalist think that Marxists put too much focus on?
The role of the economic structures in shaping ideas and beliefs
What do interactionists think Marx puts too much focus on?
Too much emphasis on class not enough on individuals
Postmodernist think that people are defined by what?
Choices they make not if they are workers or a boss
Feminists believe what?
Women are oppressed my men
Liberal feminists believe what?
Women should have equal right or opportunities by introducing opportunities for women in existing structures of society
Radical feminists believe what?
Society is structured to oppress women and society needs to change. There is an imbalance of power in all relationships
Marxist feminists believe what?
They combine the beliefs of Marxism and feminism. Women are exploited my a capitalist society
Why do radical feminists criticise liberal feminists?
They not acknowledge that more then institutions are patriarchal. It is all relationships
What do interactionists believe is most important?
Individuals
The action theory by interactionists is what?
A theory that emphasis the actions of individuals
How do interactionists make sense of society?
They look at individuals behaviour to interpret society
What do interactionists think about structures?
They think that every individual responds to social structure in their own way. We each have free will and the ability to make choices
What is Jonathan Gershuny
Interactionists
What did Jonathan Gershuny say?
1) some women chose to work outside the home through individual choice
2) male partners then took on more housework and it became acceptable for men to adopt feminine roles in the family
Why do Marxists disagree with interactionists?
They don’t think interactionists pay attention to conflict and that some social groups are more powerful
Why do functionalists disagree with interactionists?
They don’t acknowledge the importance of the socialisation process
What is functionalism
Society is made up of different institutions that function as a whole
What is Marxism?
Society is split into two classes. The ruling class oppress and exploit working class
What is feminism
Society is patriarchal and women have fewer right and opportunities than men
What is interactionism
The behaviour of interaction between individuals determine how society works
What does new right sociologists believe?
They believe traditional values are important
How is new right similar to functionalism?
They believe society needs values and institutions to maintain social order. New right focus on family education and welfare
What do new right think about the nuclear family?
Nuclear family is one of the most important social institutions people should stick to traditional role within the family to maintain social order
Charles Murray is what?
New right
What does Charles Murray say about traditional family?
Charles Murray thinks that traditional family is under threat which has lead to a decline in ,oral standards and a breakdown in society
Why do feminists disagree with new right?
They believe traditional roles in the family oppress women by reinforcing a patriarchal society
What do post modernism believe?
They believe that society is changing society is more flexible with a wider choice of cultures and lifestyle due to globalisation
Why do functionalists disagree with postmodernism?
They ignore the role of institutions
Why do interactionists disagree with postmodernist
They ignore how individuals interact
Why do Marxist disagree with postmodernist
They ignore inequality
