General Sociology Flashcards
Meaning of theory
a set of ideas claiming to explain how society works
Meaning of society
an ordered community
Meaning of sociological theory
a set of ideas claiming to explain how society works
What do conflict theorists believe about the different groups in society?
That some groups benefit at the expense of others. All the groups fit into one body
Define ‘means of production’
Having access to make produce e.g. a field, a factory. The things you use to make produce
Define ‘proletartat’
The lower/ working class who have to get a job from the bourgeoisie and do not own the means to production
Define ‘ bourgeoisie’
The upper/ ruling class who control everything and have the ownership to the means of production
According to marx, what is the relationship between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie?
Bourgeoisie controls the government and makes the proletariat work for them as servants.
Explain the difference between capitalism and communism with reference to the words ‘ownership’ and ‘equality’
Capitalism is when the rich keep getting richer and can privately own land or property, whereas communism is when everyone has access to everything (communal ownership) and everyone is equal.
List 4 of the institutions that make up the superstructure
Education, law, politics, religion
According to Marx, what is the ‘base’ of society?
The base of society is the means of production + the relations of production i.e. the factory, and the relationship between the factory worker and the factory owner.
The base shapes the superstructure i.e. the relationships of production are reproduced in religion
In terms we use today, the ‘base’ is essential ‘the economy’ - the production and consumption of goods and services and the supply of money.
Explain the relationship between the bourgeoisie and the superstructure
The bourgeoisie control the superstructure so that the proletariats cannot overrule the bourgeoisie
What is ‘false consciousness’
The bourgeoisie making the proletariats think it’s natural for them to be below them so they have a false consciousness
Explain the relationship between the superstructure and ‘false consciousness’
False consciousness doesn’t let the proletariat bounce above and have some say in the superstructure. They are brainwashed to think they will always be the lower class in society
List one possible criticism of Marxism
It didn’t take notice of the middle-class people
What is the core belief of consensus theorists?
We live as one body and there is a general agreement
Explain the difference between conflict and consensus theories’ ideas about rules
- Functionalists believe that rules are important. Rules unite people, helping them to work together and allowing society to function.
- Conflict theory sees the rules in society as being in place to control the less powerful and to stop them from challenging the power of the ruling class.
Name the French sociologist who developed functionalism
Emile Durkheim
According to functionalism, all institutions perform and deliver a society’s ‘functional prequisites’. What is a functional prerequisite?
- Functional prerequisites are what society needs in order to survive
- For example, the institution of the economy delivers society’s functional prerequisite of food and shelter.
- The law delivers society’s functional prerequisite of order and discipline.
In your opinion, what are the functional prerequisites that the institution of education delivers?
Make children learn more so they can get a good job in the future and could live a better life.
