Culture in modern societies Flashcards
Culture within industrial societies are much more complex that traditional pre-industrial societies.
Discuss the Functionalism’s viewpoint.
Processes such as industrialisation and urbanisation have been the catalyst for these changes and have the potential to undermine the value consensus and cultural conformity as there is now greater choice in beliefs and actions.
so …
we have more choice in being an individual which then means that we are becoming less like each other. Where the confusion about values, rules, beliefs lead to conflict, this creates a state of normlessness, or ‘anomie’.
Define “Anomie”
Where the confusion about values, rules, beliefs lead to conflict, this creates a state of normlessness, or ‘anomie’.
Durkheim’s Fuctionalism beliefs for the culture in a Modern Society
Durkheim believed that social order is still maintained (although a weaker version than in a traditional pre-industrial society) through the socialisation of cultural values and goals, such as placing a high value on competition, working hard and achievement individuals become to understand where in the specialised division of labour they fit into.
How does the division of labour affect the Culture of a Modern Society for Functionalism Theory
Give an example
The specialised division of labour reinforces social order because it results in people being dependent upon each other to meet society’s ‘functional prerequisites.
For example, we all rely on services from others such as teachers, doctors, politicians etc. for society’s survival and continuation
The division of labour affects the Culture of a Modern Society. What did Durkheim note about this within his Functionalism Theory?
What did he call this?
Organic Solidarity
Durkheim notes that this is ‘organic solidarity’ whereby people are bound together because of their dependence on each other. This form of solidarity was weaker than the ‘mechanical solidarity’ which was prevalent in traditional societies where people were very similar to each other. This type of society can be described a heterogeneous which means it is based on difference rather than similarity.
So, for Culture in modern societies, solidarity is weaker than in a pre-industrial society within Functionalism Theory
Discuss further
This, in turn, increases diversity which can then affect the value consensus in society. We have seen the rise in subcultural groups, crime and oppositional groups in the past century, which is a demonstration of the weakening of the bonds of society (social solidarity).
Within Functionalism the weakening of social solidarity and the rapid social change that occurs in the Culture of society can lead to what?
The weakening of social solidarity and the rapid social change that occurs in society, can lead to people not being able to meet cultural goals through legitimate means. This means that the norms and values of society are abandoned and people start to look after their own interests at the expense of the whole (society).
Within Functionalism the weakening of social solidarity and the rapid social change that occurs in the Culture of society results in what?
Give an example
This then produces anomie (normlessness), where people do what they feel is right for themselves, but not necessarily for society. This is demonstrated in riots and periods of great social change when the norms and values change quickly, resulting in some people not being able to meet the cultural goals.
One good example of this was when Poland moved from being a Communist to a Capitalist society overnight. In the following year, crime in Poland increased by 600% because the new capitalist cultural goals were unachievable by most of the Polish society.
What does the Theory of Functionalism have the ability to explain about Culture?
This theory does have the ability to explain why shared cultures are important and also the mechanisms that prevent a society from breakdown or anarchy.
What is ignored by Functionalism in the field of Culture?
Over-emphasis of consensus and social order in society. Social conflict between groups is present in society and is largely ignored by Functionalism
What does Interactionist Garfinkel disagree about with the structural approach of Functionalism with reference to Culture?
He does not see individuals as passively accepting the cultural norms and values in society like ‘puppets on a string’, or ‘cultural dopes’ as Garfinkel called them. His disagreed that socialisation is a one-way process with little input from the individual. He argued that individuals have choice, free will, they can challenge the rules, disobey social rules and they themselves have an important role in carving out their own identities.
Within Functionalism is the idea of a “shared culture” still relevant?
The idea of a ‘shared culture’ is becoming outdated, especially through countries where cultural diversity through social class or ethnicity exists.
What is the viewpoint of Radical Feminists about society and culture?
Radical Feminists argue that society is not based on a value consensus, but actually on a patriarchal set of values that systematically benefit men at the expense of women, such as gender roles.
What do Marxists about the effects of culture on society.
Marxists argue that society is not based on a value consensus and are much more critical of the role of culture in society. They believe that society is organised based on a conflict between the ruling class (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat) and not a value consensus. We are socialised into norms and values, but these are the norms and values and dominant ideology of the ruling class and the working class are brainwashed to accept these which then creates social inequalities.
