Introduction To Sociological Theory Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the two main approaches that sociologists view of how society is organised

A

Structuralist

Action

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2
Q

Explain structuralist

A

Society is seen as a social system where institutions like the family, media, education interconnect and work together

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3
Q

Explain action

A

These focus upon the individual and the importance of the meaningful actions they take rather than the institutions of society

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4
Q

What do structural theories look at

A

How the institutions of society influence and mould our behaviour.
These institutions that are believed to determine our behaviour so that individuals fit into society easily no keep it running.
Look at the over all picture of society and how institutions connect together.

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5
Q

What are structural theories often called

A

Macro theories

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6
Q

Examples of institutions

A

Family
Education
Media
Religion

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7
Q

What are deterministic theories

A

They believe our behaviour is moulted and constrained by society so there is little if any opportunity to have free will and to act as we choose

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8
Q

What are three structuralist theories

A

Functionalism
Marxism
Feminism

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9
Q

Who are the key writers in functionalism

A

Emile Durkheim

Talcott Parsons

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10
Q

What are four key issues in functionalism

A
  1. Biological analogy
  2. Value consensus
  3. Functional prerequisites
  4. Share the same values
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11
Q

Explain biological analogy

A

Where society is like a body where are parts are inter-connected and inter-dependent

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12
Q

Explain values consensus

A

Society exists in harmony with little conflict as through socialisation the key values of society are transmitted to everyone and everyone accepts and believes these values

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13
Q

Explain functional prerequisites

A

Society has basic needs and requirements the must be met to survive.
These would include matters such as socialisation, production of food and care of the young.
Social institutions exist to ensure that these are met

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14
Q

Explain sharing the same values

A

Society runs smoothly as we share the same values which maintains social order and any change that occurs is slow and gradual like the changing role of women in society rather than a fast revolution such as the French Revolution

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15
Q

Who are the two key writers in Marxism

A

Karl Marx

Frederic Engels

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16
Q

What are seven key issues in Marxism

A
  1. Economic determinism
  2. Infrastructure and super-structure
  3. Ruling class ideology
  4. The two social class groups in society
  5. False-class consciousness
  6. What Marx would predict that the subject class would develop
17
Q

What is economic determinism

A

The economy is the driving force of society and it determines social institutions and our values

18
Q

What is infrastructure

A

The economy forms the infrastructure of society
This consists of the means of production which is the way in which society those needed by society such as factories, land and the relations of production

19
Q

What is super structure

A
This is the other institutions which transits beliefs needed for society to keep going these benefit those who own the means of production which is called ruling class ideology 
E.g.
Family
Education
Politics
Mass media 
Religion
20
Q

What is ruling class ideology

A

The superstructure transits beliefs needed for society to keep going these benefit those who own the means of production

21
Q

What are the two social groups in society

A
Ruling class
Subject class
22
Q

Explain what happens between these two groups ruling class and subject class

A

The proletariat sell their labour to the ruling class in exchange for wages however they are exploited and oppressed by the ruling class who pay them little so that they can make surplus profit.

23
Q

Explain false-class consciousness

A

The subject class do not accept that they are being exploited and oppressed as the ruling class ensure that the values passed on in society continue to justify the inequality between the two groups and encourage the subject not to question it

24
Q

What did Marx predicted that the subject class would develop

A

Class consciousness and a revolution would occur. He predicted that society would change and we would live in a society organised as a communist state and there would only be one class with no equality and everything collectively owned

25
Q

Explain communist state

A

Where the means of production is shared

26
Q

What are the three different types of feminists

A

Liberal
Radical
Marxist

27
Q

Give 4 ideas from liberal feminists

A

Women’s position has improved in society
Gender role socialisation is key to changing the position of men and women
Equal rights have helped change the position of women in society
Legal change and education is essential in removing sexism and inequality

28
Q

What do liberal feminists mean about Bradley

A

The ‘acceptable face of feminism’

29
Q

What do liberal feminists mean about the glass ceiling

A

The glass ceiling limiting women in areas of employment is being eroded

30
Q

What do liberal feminists mean about wilkinson and the gender quake

A

A gender quake has occurred with women today having radically different attitudes to those in the past

31
Q

Give five key ideas for Marxist feminists

A

Women are oppressed in society
The cause of oppression is capitalism
The ruling class reproduce gender inequalities as it helps maintain capitalism
Men benefit from the oppression of women but they are not the main cause of it
Women will be equal to men when the subject class revolt and a communist society is developed

32
Q

Give five ideas of radical feminists

A

1.Women are oppressed in society and the cause is patriarchy
2.Men reproduce gender inequalities to benefit themselves and keep women oppressed
3.Institutions socialise women into accepting patriarchal ideology
4.Men and women form different sex classes and heterosexual men dominate society through force and fear of force and ideological
control
5. They draw attention to legal inequalities and personal areas of life where women are oppresses such as domestic violence and issues relating to sexuality

33
Q

What is patriarchal ideology

A

The beliefs and values transmitted by men to benefit themselves

34
Q

What is social action theory

A

Argues that the individual is the most important area of study than the structures of society

35
Q

How do social action theories compare to structural sociologists

A

Social action believes that individuals are not determined by society but have free will this means that they believe individuals are not moulded by external forces

36
Q

In social action what are sociologists concerned with studying

A

sociologists are concerned with studying the interactions between individuals and trying to understand how they make sense of everyday actions and how they define their own identity.

37
Q

What is a micro theory and give an example

A

Where the theory looks at small scale interactions

E.g. Social action theories

38
Q

What did parsons argue about a geographically mobile workforce

A

That is is easier for the compact two generation nuclear family to move than a three generation family to move do a nuclear family is better cuffed to the need that modern industry has for a geographically mobile workforce

39
Q

What did parsons argue about a a socially mobile workforce

A

The nuclear family is better equipped to meet the standards of the industrial society as an three generation family the father has a higher achieved status even if the son has a higher achieved status.