Core Theory Flashcards
Kroulek (2018) says..
the nuclear family is the most prevalent in the UK.
Structure theorists..
argue that society imposes things upon us that shape our identity, society structures us.
The bourgeoisie..
are the upper, ruling class in Marxist theory, controlling the wealth of a country and exploiting the masses.
The proletariat..
are the working class, anybody not in the ruling class, who can only gain a living through selling their labour power.
Describe the Infrastructure Superstructure triangle
The infrastructure is the economic base of the triangle, consisting of the means and relations of production, while the superstructure consists of the other aspects of society such as culture, institutions, ideologies etc.
What is the Patriarchy?
A social system where men hold primary power and predominate in roles of leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property.
What is a Nanny state?
A government that controls its population through excessive rules and regulations on how its members should live their lives, especially surrounding smoking, drinking alcohol and eating.
What is democracy?
‘rule by the people’, Democracy is an egalitarian form of government where all its peoples determine public policy, laws, and actions of the state together based on unbiaed elections and voting systems. Democracy requires all its citizens have an equal opportunity to express their opinion.
What are social institutions?
Mechanisms or patterns of social order focused on meeting social needs, such as government, economy, education, family, healthcare and religion.
What is Capitalism?
An economic system based on market competition and the persuit of profit, in which the means of production or capital are privately owned by individuals or corporations.
What are interactionists?
They believe that society is the product of human interactions and the meanings individuals place on those actions. Instead of explaining society in terms of large social structures or fundamental conflicts, they look on a smaller level acknowledging that humans have free will and agency and are not influenced by society, creating their own meanings.
What is key feminist theory?
Inequality between men and women is universal and the most significant form of inequality.
Gender norms are socially constructed and not determined by biology (so can be changed)
Patriarchy is the main cause of gender inequality.
Feminism is a political movement, existing to rectify sexual inequalities, although strategies for social chanye vary significantly.
What is conflict theory?
There is a fundamental conflict in society between two groups, where one is in power and the other is lesser, deriving from a struggle for limited resources.
What is consensus theory?
Societies run best on a social system with rules, which its citizens each follow. Social change should be done through and within social institutions and not through radical change.
Radical feminists believe..
‘all men are bad’, men hold dominance in all aspects of society and contribute to the patriarchy, with this taking key significance in any male/female relationship. The patriarchy is the main form of inequality in society and radical change is needed to combat this.
Marxist feminists believe..
‘some men are bad’ and the main form of inequality is through class systems. Women are doubly exploited as workers and as women in society, focusing on the connection between Capitalism and the subordination of women.
Liberal feminists believe..
Society is getting better, and women are more equal than ever before due to changes in law and policy. They focus on measures that ensure women have equal opportunities to men within the present societal system.
Black and difference feminists believe..
Women are oppressed by the patriarchy, capitalism and through race, with the argument that minority-ethnic, working class women are the most discriminated against in society. Women are not a single homogeneous group, with different groups of women experiencing less or more oppression.
Anomie is
Durkheim’s theory that when individuals have too much freedom it causes uncertainty, fear and a lack of morality, confusion over their place in the world (their ontology).
