Classic Sociological Theory

Question 1

What did Thomas Hobbes believe?

Answer 1

Believes humans are motivated by self-interest and the pursuit of power. In order to avoid the ‘state of nature’ humans would consent to be governed by a supreme order.

Question 2

What did John Locke believe?

Answer 2

God granted rights to people, such as self preservation and property. Humans should have the right to enjoy the fruits of their own labour.

Question 3

What did Charles de Montesquieu believe?

Answer 3

That humans’ attitudes toward themselves and others were shaped by the societies they lived in.

Question 4

What did Jean-Jacques Rousseau believe?

Answer 4

Recognized that in every individual there is tension between wanting to be more autonomous and to be intimate with others.

Question 5

What is functionalism?

Answer 5

The theory that all aspects of a society serve a function and are necessary for the survival of that society.

Question 6

Who invented the word ‘sociology’?

Answer 6

Auguste Comte

Question 7

What did Auguste Comte believe?

Answer 7

He was concerned about what held societies together and how to uncover the laws of human social behaviour.

Question 8

What is the law of the three stages? (Auguste Comte)

Answer 8

1. Theological stage - where religion would explain people’s place within the world and how their lives were guided by supernatural beings.
2. Metaphysical stage - where people used their own insights and reflections to understand the world around them.
3. Positive stage - where reason and science would dominate, and observation, experimentation and logic would be used to explain the world around us and our place within it.

Question 9

What is the collective conscience?

Answer 9

That people agree on what is right and wrong and how society ought to function.

Question 10

What is organic solidarity?

Answer 10

The division of labour in society.

Question 11

What is conflict theory?

Answer 11

Power is the core of all social relationships and is unequally divided amongst members.

Question 12

What are conflict theorists concerned about?

Answer 12

About how powerful individuals or groups take advantage of or exclude weaker individuals or groups

Question 13

What do conflict theorists think about someone’s success in life?

Answer 13

That its not necessarily dependent on their hard work, but other things like their ethnicity, SES, natural ability, etc.

Question 14

What did Karl Marx believe?

Answer 14

That functioning of society is determined by its economic base.

Question 15

What are the two social classes Karl Marx talks about?

Answer 15

A capitalist class and working class. Where workers are exploited, and ideologies can be used to justify social inequality.

Question 16

What are manifest functions? (Merton Strain Theory)

Answer 16

Are the intended consequences of an action of social pattern. E.g., universities have a manifest function by providing degree programs that will provide students with knowledge and skills.

Question 17

What are latent functions? (Merton Strain Theory)

Answer 17

The unintended consequences of an action or social pattern. E.g., universities being a meeting place where people can develop friendships or romantic relationships that lead to meaningful connections later in life.