Introduction To Sociological Theory Flashcards
What are the two main approaches that sociologists view of how society is organised
Structuralist
Action
Explain structuralist
Society is seen as a social system where institutions like the family, media, education interconnect and work together
Explain action
These focus upon the individual and the importance of the meaningful actions they take rather than the institutions of society
What do structural theories look at
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.
What are structural theories often called
Macro theories
Examples of institutions
Family
Education
Media
Religion
What are deterministic theories
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
What are three structuralist theories
Functionalism
Marxism
Feminism
Who are the key writers in functionalism
Emile Durkheim
Talcott Parsons
What are four key issues in functionalism
- Biological analogy
- Value consensus
- Functional prerequisites
- Share the same values
Explain biological analogy
Where society is like a body where are parts are inter-connected and inter-dependent
Explain values consensus
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
Explain functional prerequisites
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
Explain sharing the same values
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
Who are the two key writers in Marxism
Karl Marx
Frederic Engels
What are seven key issues in Marxism
- Economic determinism
- Infrastructure and super-structure
- Ruling class ideology
- The two social class groups in society
- False-class consciousness
- What Marx would predict that the subject class would develop
What is economic determinism
The economy is the driving force of society and it determines social institutions and our values
What is infrastructure
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
What is super structure
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
What is ruling class ideology
The superstructure transits beliefs needed for society to keep going these benefit those who own the means of production
What are the two social groups in society
Ruling class Subject class
Explain what happens between these two groups ruling class and subject class
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.
Explain false-class consciousness
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
What did Marx predicted that the subject class would develop
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