Chapter 2 Flashcards
Describe THEORY
A THEORY is an attempt to EXPLAIN facts or OBSERVED STUFF—an attempt to find explanations for what is being observed.
The term theory is also used to refer to a school of thought or sets of linked theories. Theories in this way are based generally on a COLLECTION of SHARED ASSUMPTIONS.
Describe GEORGE RITZER’S IDEAS
GEORGE RITZER believes
- a sociological theory must have broad applicability,
- deal with important social issues,
- be able to stand the test of time.
There are two ways of distinguishing different types of sociological theories:
(1) the type of THEORETICAL APPROACH USED,
and (2) the INTENDED AUDIENCE for the analysis and how socially critical the sociologist is.
Describe STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM Approach
STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM contains two dimensions—functionalism and structuralism.
FUNCTIONALISM, as seen in the work of Emile Durkheim, Robert Merton and Talcott Parsons, refers to how SOCIAL SYSTEMS within society PRODUCE CONSEQUENCES that apply to the whole of society.
STRUCTURALISM, fused with functionalism, is a way of explaining social forms and their contributions to social cohesion.
Think “society is a biological entity where certain structures (e.g., religion) have different functions.” (e.g. religion gives people something to believe in and provides answers to existential questions).
While structural functionalism was popular in history, it no longer provides satisfactory explanations for social problems in society.
Describe Emile Durkheim’s SOCIAL FACTS
Émile Durkheim’s work on suicide was based on concept in structural functionalism—social facts.
SOCIAL FACTS are PATTERNED BEHAVIORS (ways of acting, thinking, and feeling) that exist outside of an individual but which also constrain how an individual will act. Social facts such as your gender, age, ethnicity, social class, occupation, and so on dictate that you are likely to behave in socially- predictable ways.
Focusing on social facts helps sociologists to examine larger social patterns and get away from focusing on individuals.
Describe TALCOTT PARSONS
Examined how interconnectedness of societal institutions make society work out in structural functionalism
TALCOTT PARSONS examined the ways that each element in the social structure supported the other to enhance the smooth functioning of the entire society.
For example, Parsons suggested that women should not compete with men in the paid labour force for jobs as that would disrupt both the economic realm of society or as the smooth functioning of the family unit, on which women should be focused.
Describe ROBERT K. MERTON
3 Social functions in Structural Functionalism
ROBERT K. MERTON, a student of Parson’s, contributed to structural functionalism by IDENTIFIED 3 TYPES OF FUNCTIONS present in society:
MANIFEST functions—those that are INTENDED and EASILY RECOGNIZED (e.g., education provides the skills and knowledge required to be a contributing member of society);
LATENT functions—those that are UNINTENDED and mostly UNRECOGNIZED (e.g., education exposes people to a marriage market of homogeneous others and to a social network);
LATENT DYSfunctions—those that are UNINTENDED and make SOCIALLY NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES (e.g., education reinforces class distinctions and slots people into occupations for which they are viewed as be- ing suited for based on class). Merton’s work is often seen as a bridge to conflict theory.
Describe CONFLICT THEORY Approach
CONFLICT THEORY is based on this cycle:
(1) CONFLICT: all large societies embody conflict based on characteristics like gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and so on;
(2) CLASS: all societies include class as a factor for organization and distribution of resources;
(3) CONTESTATION: the idea of a social entity as “functional” must be challenged to determine for whom exactly it is “functional”; and
(4) CHANGE: all societies are fluid and dynamic and can and should change.
Describe KARL MARX and CONFLICT THEORY
KARL MARX’s work on conflict focused ENTIRELY ON SOCIAL CLASS as determined by each class’s role in the production of wealth.
Economic class, he believed was the driving force in all social change.
Marx’s work analyzed two groups of people who were inevitably locked into conflict based on their differing relationships to the means of production:
the BOURGEOISIE, the OWNERS; and the PROLETARIAT, the WORKERS.
The bourgeoisie would always be in conflict with the proletariat because they had different interests and the bourgeoisie had more power and wealth. Marx believed that members of the proletariat would eventually recognize their shared class interests and rise up in revolt against the bourgeoisie, thereby EVENTUALLY CREATING a CLASSLESS/EGALITARIAN society.
Describe SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONIST Approach
The SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONIST approach observes the SYMBOLIC MEANINGS given to symbols and daily interactions within society and to the various interpretations of those.
MAX WEBER, an early proponent of symbolic interactionism, recognized that PEOPLE INTERPRET the social WORLD ACCORDING to their own SUBJECTIVITY, and then acted upon it accordingly. Subjectivity was a concept he highlighted above the goal of uncovering purely empirical or objective truths.
Weber did believe in objectivity as a goal of social research however, believing that social research could be value-free. Weber introduced a key concept to sociology, VERSTEHEN, which when translated from German into English roughly means “to understand.” For Weber, this was the type of UNDERSTANDING ACHIEVED by understanding social and cultural phenomena from the SUBJECTIVITY or CONTEXT of the STUDIED PEOPLE.
Describe HERBERT BLUMER and Symbolic Interactionist
named sociology
social systems are abstract subjective structures
HERBERT BLUMER named symbolic interactionism, contributed to the approach through his idea that SOCIAL SYSTEMS were merely ABSTRACTIONS CREATED by us THROUGH our HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS and INTERACTIONS with others.
Describe GEORGE HERBERT MEAD and Symbolic Interactionist
the SELF
GEORGE HERBERT MEAD was most interested in the WAYS we CONSTRUCT “SELF” through INTERACTIONS with others and how the self influences us to take on certain SOCIAL ROLES, reflect upon ourselves, and INTERNALIZE SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS.
Describe MICRO- and MACRO- SOCIOLOGY
Sociology is made up of both macro and micro sociological approaches.
Macro-sociology, which focuses on society’s big picture, is the focus of theories such as structural functionalism and conflict theory.
Micro-sociology, on the other hand, focuses on the actions and interactions of an individual or specific group. Theories such as symbolic interactionism use a micro-sociological approach.
Describe ERVING GOFFMAN and Symbolic Interactionist
TOTAL INSTITUTIONS, pro subjective
ERVING GOFFMAN contributed many ideas to the symbolic interactionist approach as well, including the concept of TOTAL INSTITUTIONS: places where people are isolated from the larger society and come under complete control of bureaucratic others who regulate and control all elements of their lives.
Goffman believed that it was important to understand people’s experiences subjectively, rather than adopting an objective and neutral stance toward social research because observations are open to the interpretation of researcher alone.
Describe FEMINIST THEORIES
FEMINIST THEORIES focus on highlighting the various situations of women (and today men), CORRECT centuries of GENDER BLINDNESS and DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN. Feminist theories arguably began with the work of Mary Wollstonecraft in her book A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792).
British writer Harriet Martineau was one of the first sociologists to carry out a systematic examina- tion of women’s roles in society, often likening women’s situations to that of Black slaves in the United States.
Describe DOROTHY SMITH and STANDPOINT THEORY
Canadian sociologistDOROTHY SMITH advanced feminist sociology with the development of her standpoint theory. She used as the basis for the theory her personal experiences of being discriminated as a woman in academe, suggesting that
knowledge is developed from a particular location or standpoint and is equally legit to knowledge produced in a objective fashion.
Standpoint theory has presented mainstream sociology with significant criticisms and challenges that are still being addressed today.
