Class One Flashcards
what is a society
a group of people who share a culture and live/interact with each other in an area
3 theories that explain society
functionalism
conflict theory
symbolic interactionism
social constructionism
macro level theories + 2 examples
focus on the effects of large scale social structures
functions & conflict theory
micro level + example
small scale interactions (one on one or small group interactions)
symbolic interactionism
micro level + example
small scale interactions (one on one or small group interactions)
symbolic interactionism
social constructionism
can be either micro or macro
functionalism definition
conceptualizes society as a living organism with interrelated & interdependent parts - which each gas a distinct and necessary purpose
founder of sociology
Emile Durkheim
which society is more complex - primitive or modern
modern according to Durkheim - relying on each other to make society whole
dynamic equilibrium in functionalist theory
during crisis, major structures of society will work together to return to a state of dynamic equilibrium
collective conscience
people of a shared culture thinking in the same way due to shared beliefs/ideas which unify society
manifest functions
official + intended consequences of a structure
latent functions
consequences of a structure that were not sought out
can be beneficial or harmkful
social dysfunction
process that has undesirable consequences & can reduce society stability
which 2 sociological theories go against each other
functionalist and conflict theory
conflict theory main idea
individuals of a society have to compete for social/political/material resources - unequal distribution
Karl Marx’s main findings
economic conflict between 2 social classes
working class is oppressed + exploited by the capitalist class
hegemony
coerced acceptance values, expectation & conditions determined by the capitalist class
how does hegemony benefit the capitalist class
justifies the social/political/economic status as natural & beneficial for everyone (even though it only benefits the capitalists)
class consciousness
exploited workers’ awareness of the reasons for their oppression
leads to revolution
Marx - socialism
the extreme form of socialism following a revolution - Marx labelled as communism
Weber’s views on Marx’s theory
focus on economic inequality was too narrow
didn’t pay attention to the power of values/beliefs in society
Protestant/Puritan work ethic
religious belief to do hard work for the sake of Godliness
criticisms of conflict theory
focuses too much on competition & economic factors
symbolic interactionism main idea
analyzes society by looking at the subjective meanings people impose on objects/events/behaviours
language + symbols, exchange of information!
what is self developed through
language games & play
difference between “I” and “me”
I - individualistic self, has it’s own autonomy & will
me - social self, others interpreting our behaviour
“I” and “me” conflict
constant dialogue with each other - can agree or conflict
represents the internal dialogue between the individualistic and social self
Thomas theorem
theory that the interpretation of a situation affects the response to that situation
dramaturgical approach
symbolic interactionism
people on a stage - choosing what image they want to communicate
acting differently in different settings
criticism of symbolic interactionism
neglects the macro level of social interpretation + larger issues in society
social constructionism main idea
examines the constructs of society from macro & micro perspectibes
feminist theory
differences in social experiences of men & women
looks at macro and micro levels of oppression
intersectionality
oppressive factors (race, sex, class etc.) do not exist isolated from each other
what falls under rational choice theory
social exchange theory
game theory
rational actor theory
rational choice theory main idea
individuals seeking to maximize benefits and minimize disadvantages - affects social interactions
utilitarianism main idea
individuals are rational in their actions
individuals will seek to maximize their own self-interest
criticisms of rational choice theory
minimizes the role of culture and subjective meaning
what theory is Emile Durkheim associated with
functionalism
3 founding fathers of sociology
Marx
Weber
Durkheim
James Lange theory of emotion
emotion arises from physiological arousal
you feel the emotion after arousal takes place
Cannon-Bard theory of emotion
you feel physiological arousal and emotion at the same time (but independently)
Schacter-Singer theory of emotion
emotion results from the interaction between physiological arousal and cognition
