Introduction Flashcards
Define a norm
Social expectations or rules that govern our behaviour in particular situations
Give three examples of a norm
Greetings
Saying bless you when you sneeze
Eating with your mouth closed
Define a value
Ideas or beliefs about general principles or goals, which tell society’s members what is good or important in life and what to aim for
Give three examples of values
Education
Relationships
Life
Define roles
How someone who occupies a certain status is expected to act
Give three examples of roles
Student
Friend
Son/Daughter
Define Ascribed Status
Position in society that is fixed i.e. that we are born with and cannot normally change
Define Achieved Status
Position that is gained through our own efforts and abilities
Define Primary Socialisation
Primary socialisation occurs when a child learns the basic norms and values appropriate to individuals as members of a particular culture
Define Secondary Socialisation
This involves external agencies and modifies the primary socialisation. It teaches norms for specific situations .
Give three examples of Secondary Socialisation
Media
Law
Education
Define Macro Approach
This is where the theory suggests there are large scale interactions between different institutions in society as well as the impact this has on the individual
What theories favour the Macro Approach?
Functionalism
Marxism
Feminism
Define Micro Approach
This is where the theory suggests that society is constructed through small scale interactions.
What theories favour the Micro Approach?
Interactionism
Post Modernism
Define Conflict Theory
Conflict theories suggest that these different institutions teach us negative norms and values which divide us in society often with a social group being exploited or controlled
What theories favour the Conflict Theory?
Marxism
Feminism
Define Consensus Theory
Consensus theories suggest that society is based on agreed norms and values which are taught to us by the different institutions such as the family and the media.
What theories favour the Consensus Theory?
Functionalism
Define Value Consensus
Where individuals in a society or social group agree to and accept the norms and values that allow for the smooth running of society
Give two examples of Functionalists
Durkheim
Parsons
Define Anomie
Without Value Consensus people would be pulling in different directions and the results would be chaos and disorder
Define Social Solidarity
This is where they feel a part of a social group or society which allows them to function effectively
Define Social Order
An order in society that is created when the majority or all people in society have a sense of Social Solidarity
Define Organic Analogy
Society is made up of different parts which work together to form a whole. Each part is needed for society to function properly.
Give three strengths of the functionalist theory
It considers how institutions interact with each other in order to create harmony in society.
This was one of the first sociological theories put forward which paved the way for further theories to develop.
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that we agree with the values of society such as the collective response when terrorism occurs.
Give three weaknesses of the functionalist theory
Feminists would argue that functionalists ignore the negative aspects of society particularly the oppression of women.
Marxists would argue that functionalists are too positive and ignore how the rich exploit the poor in capitalist societies.
This theory is deterministic as it argues that we are simply a product of value consensus with no free will to act as we choose.
Define Proletariat
These are the working class. They own the minority of wealth and consist of the majority of the population
Define Bourgeoisie
These are the ruling class. They own the majority of the wealth and are the minority of the population.
Define False Class Consciousness
When people don’t see they are being exploited.
Define Ideological State Apparatus
These are institutions that legitimise class inequality by teaching the individual that capitalism is fair and we should accept that some people are wealthier than others
Define Repressive State Apparatus
These are the institutions that step in when the ideological state apparatuses have failed. These are the institutions that can use force to persuade or punish anyone rejecting capitalist values
Give two strengths of the Marxist Theory
Marxism points are valid and the ruling class arguably does have a certain amount of control over the working class through laws for example. Tries to explain issues through macro view therefore we can get a greater understanding of society on a larger scale
Give two weaknesses of the Marxist Theory
Fully negative towards the Bourgeoisie so it makes their views more biased
It ignores consensus in society and favours a conflict approach
Define Patriarchal
When males have dominance and power in society which is largely unequal to females
Define Glass Ceiling
There is a metaphorical barrier stopping women from progressing in the work place
Define Liberal Feminism
These feminists look for a change of legislation in order to improve women’s rights, taking the optimistic view that all genders will have equality
Define Marxist Feminism
They believe that patriarchy suits capitalism and men
Define Radical Feminism
They believe that patriarchal oppression and exploitation is built into every part of society
Give two strengths of the Feminist Theory
It offers an alternative to the typical, male dominated view of society which very few theories can offer.
It offers explanations and advocates research into topics such as domestic violence amongst other serious issues affecting society instead of ignoring them.
Give a weakness of the Feminist theory
There is a lack of unity between the different branches which makes it difficult to establish a unified theory if they all have different views how society functions.
Define Social Action Theory
A theory that is not controlled by society
Define Labelling Theory
When people come to identify their roles and behave according to the ways in which others see or label them
Define Self Fulfilling Prophecy
When an individual lives up to the label that has been attached to them
Give a strength to the Interactionism Theory
This theory suggests that we are not just puppets on a string being moved about by capitalism or patriarchy but that we have free will in our interactions which will shape our understanding of society
Give a weakness to the Interactionism Theory
Some argue that interactionists have gone too far in trying to understand individual’ definitions of social reality as this will be affected by the society in which we live. As a result individuals behaviours will not be as free, creative or flexible as interactionists would like to suggest
Define Relativism
Knowledge and experience of society is relative to each individual and there is no such thing as an objective reality as individuals are likely to behave according to their own experiences of the world around them
Give a strength to the Post Modernist Theory
This theory offers a contemporary view of society and other theories like functionalism could be seen as outdated. Post modernism can explain the developments that have occurred and are occurring in society right now.
Give a weakness to the Post Modernist Theory
It can be seen as contradictory because it argues that society is constantly changing and theories cannot be used to explain how society works but Postmodernism is a theory trying to explain society
