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AS/A Level Sociology > Introduction > Flashcards

Introduction Flashcards

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Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Define a norm

A

Social expectations or rules that govern our behaviour in particular situations

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2
Q

Give three examples of a norm

A

Greetings
Saying bless you when you sneeze
Eating with your mouth closed

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3
Q

Define a value

A

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

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4
Q

Give three examples of values

A

Education
Relationships
Life

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5
Q

Define roles

A

How someone who occupies a certain status is expected to act

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6
Q

Give three examples of roles

A

Student
Friend
Son/Daughter

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7
Q

Define Ascribed Status

A

Position in society that is fixed i.e. that we are born with and cannot normally change

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8
Q

Define Achieved Status

A

Position that is gained through our own efforts and abilities

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9
Q

Define Primary Socialisation

A

Primary socialisation occurs when a child learns the basic norms and values appropriate to individuals as members of a particular culture

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10
Q

Define Secondary Socialisation

A

This involves external agencies and modifies the primary socialisation. It teaches norms for specific situations .

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11
Q

Give three examples of Secondary Socialisation

A

Media
Law
Education

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12
Q

Define Macro Approach

A

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

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13
Q

What theories favour the Macro Approach?

A

Functionalism
Marxism
Feminism

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14
Q

Define Micro Approach

A

This is where the theory suggests that society is constructed through small scale interactions.

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15
Q

What theories favour the Micro Approach?

A

Interactionism

Post Modernism

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16
Q

Define Conflict Theory

A

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

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17
Q

What theories favour the Conflict Theory?

A

Marxism

Feminism

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18
Q

Define Consensus Theory

A

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.

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19
Q

What theories favour the Consensus Theory?

A

Functionalism

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20
Q

Define Value Consensus

A

Where individuals in a society or social group agree to and accept the norms and values that allow for the smooth running of society

21
Q

Give two examples of Functionalists

A

Durkheim

Parsons

22
Q

Define Anomie

A

Without Value Consensus people would be pulling in different directions and the results would be chaos and disorder

23
Q

Define Social Solidarity

A

This is where they feel a part of a social group or society which allows them to function effectively

24
Q

Define Social Order

A

An order in society that is created when the majority or all people in society have a sense of Social Solidarity

25
Q

Define Organic Analogy

A

Society is made up of different parts which work together to form a whole. Each part is needed for society to function properly.

26
Q

Give three strengths of the functionalist theory

A

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.

27
Q

Give three weaknesses of the functionalist theory

A

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.

28
Q

Define Proletariat

A

These are the working class. They own the minority of wealth and consist of the majority of the population

29
Q

Define Bourgeoisie

A

These are the ruling class. They own the majority of the wealth and are the minority of the population.

30
Q

Define False Class Consciousness

A

When people don’t see they are being exploited.

31
Q

Define Ideological State Apparatus

A

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

32
Q

Define Repressive State Apparatus

A

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

33
Q

Give two strengths of the Marxist Theory

A 
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
34
Q

Give two weaknesses of the Marxist Theory

A

Fully negative towards the Bourgeoisie so it makes their views more biased
It ignores consensus in society and favours a conflict approach

35
Q

Define Patriarchal

A

When males have dominance and power in society which is largely unequal to females

36
Q

Define Glass Ceiling

A

There is a metaphorical barrier stopping women from progressing in the work place

37
Q

Define Liberal Feminism

A

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

38
Q

Define Marxist Feminism

A

They believe that patriarchy suits capitalism and men

39
Q

Define Radical Feminism

A

They believe that patriarchal oppression and exploitation is built into every part of society

40
Q

Give two strengths of the Feminist Theory

A

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.

41
Q

Give a weakness of the Feminist theory

A

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.

42
Q

Define Social Action Theory

A

A theory that is not controlled by society

43
Q

Define Labelling Theory

A

When people come to identify their roles and behave according to the ways in which others see or label them

44
Q

Define Self Fulfilling Prophecy

A

When an individual lives up to the label that has been attached to them

45
Q

Give a strength to the Interactionism Theory

A

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

46
Q

Give a weakness to the Interactionism Theory

A

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

47
Q

Define Relativism

A

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

48
Q

Give a strength to the Post Modernist Theory

A

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.

49
Q

Give a weakness to the Post Modernist Theory

A

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

AS/A Level Sociology (8 decks)

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