introduction to theories Flashcards
what theory did durkheim create?
the holistic, functionalist theory of biological analogy
what does holistic mean?
looking at the bigger picture
what is the definition of biological analogy?
comparing one thing to another
what is studied the same as society in biological analogy?
the human body
define norms & values
an agreement , a social contract
define norms
expected behaviour/behavioural patterns
define values
morals behind norms
name the two weaknesses in functionalism
- looking at society through rose tinted glasses (too positive and unrealistic)
- homogeneous grouping
what does homogenous grouping mean?
generalising and stereotyping people into groups
what is a strength to functionalism?
always give a lot of evidence to back their views up
who was karl marx?
a holistic sociologist writer
what theory did marx create?
dialectic materialism
what does dialectic materialism mean?
the conflict between two classes
what did marx believe?
- that capitalism is at the heart of society
- ideological functions teach the people to be workers and be happy being working class
- the ruling class controls the working with money
what are criticisms of marx?
- homogeneous grouping
- economically deterministic theory
what are the ideological functions?
family and education
what does economically deterministic mean?
everything ever is controlled by money or the economy
what was the liberal feminist view?
holistic and patriarchal
what does patriarchy mean?
society is ruled by men
what did the liberal feminists believe?
that society needed to be reformed and changed for the better of women
how did liberal feminists show the progress of society?
the march of progress
what happened in 1918?
the legalisation of women with specific requirements to vote
what happened in 1928?
legalisation of all women to vote
what happened in 1967?
the abortion act
what happened in 1969?
the divorce act
what happened in 1970?
the equal pay act
who was parsons?
a holistic sociologist
what theory did parsons create?
structural-functional
what did the structural-functional theory believe?
- that every person had a specific job role
- balance is needed for society to function
- rapid change causes society to crumble
define structural-functionalism
looking at society from a macro level and not at individuals
what is a manifest function
the intended function of an institution
what is a latent function
the unintended consequences of a manifest function
what two key things keep society moving and balanced
social facts and institutions
define an institution
things created to make sure society progresses at a stable rate
define social facts
things like laws that have persuasive effects over individuals
what were the two functions of the family to parsons
primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities
define primary socialisation
teaching children norms and values of society
what are examples of primary socialisation
toilet training and gender role socialisation
what role is believed boys should take on?
the instrumental role
what role is believed girls should take on?
the expressive role
describe these two roles
instrumental = go to work and make money expressive = housework and raising children
what does the stabilisation of adult personalities mean ?
creating emotional stability in a married couple
what is an example of this
the warm bath theory
what does the warm bath theory show
that a woman should take care of her husband after work, as working life for a man is stressful
what was believed to be reduced through the warm bath theory
conflict between working men and therefore society
how is stabilisation of adults achieved
conforming to gender roles
what theory did murdoch create
the theory of the four family functions
what were these four family functions
sexual, economic , reproductive and educational
what was the purpose of the sexual function
- to create a stable and monogamous sexual relationship
- resist sexual urges outside of marriage
- promotes heterosexuality
what was the purpose of the economic function
- for the man to make enough money to provide for the family
- woman does unpaid house labour
what was the purpose of the reproductive function
- society would not continue or progress without a next generation
- stops societal stagnation
what was the purpose of the educational function
- teaches the young norms & values
- socialisation of chilren
- gendered norms & values so children learn their jobs and make a working society
what are criticisms of murdoch
- gendered roles are not progressive in todays society
- research shows that sonme societies dont have the family institution
- other institutions could easily perform these functions
what does universal mean
something done by all people or things in the world
what does the universal family mean
that the family is a worldwide institution
how does murdoch define the family
‘social groups characterised by common residence, economic co-operation, and reproduction’
how many societies did murdoch study where there was a family institution
250
what are criticisms of the universal family theory
- murdoch could not have studied all societies, therefore some may not have the family institution
- some small communities will raise children as group, goes against one of murdoch’s definitions of a family
