introduction to theory Flashcards
value consensus
an informal agreement on what is right and important in our society. we are socialised into these values to make sure everyone agrees.
structuralist theory
functionalists believe that society has a huge influence and shapes individual behaviour, society structures our behaviour
body analogy + example
functionalists believe that society works like a body eg. the human body grows and develops as with society, the body fights diseases: society has its mechanisms to deal with problems when they occur eg. police
sanctions + example
rewards or punishments for certain actions eg. a parking ticket
socialised + example
being brought up with how to act and what is socially right eg. manners
conflict theory
fighting against something
bourgeoisie
the middle-class in society. they own the means of production (factories and mills) they exploit whoever they can in order to gain as much profit as possible
proletariat
the lower-class in society. They work for the proletariat and don’t get paid fair wages, so are exploited
infrastructure + example
economic means of society eg. forces of production (raw materials of producing food and technology) these are owned by the bourgeoisie
superstructure + example
political, economic and legal institutions that keep the infrastructure strong eg. family
oppression
pressing down. the bourgeoisie oppress and press down on the proletariat
exploitation
taking advantage of people who don’t have ownership
ideology + how its used according to Marx
a false picture of reality and society. the bourgeoisie use this to brainwash the proletariat into accepting their ideas
false consciousness
the proletariat believing the ideologies
revolution
a forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favour of a new system
communism
everyone in society is completely equal and on the same level
socialism
proletariats in charge, at the top of the chain
weber’s level of cause
explaining the objective structural factors that shape behaviours
weber’s level of meaning
understanding the subjective meanings that individuals attach to their actions, but you need context
4 types of action according to weber: instrumentally rational action and eg
doing something for the end goal eg. going to university
4 types of action according to weber: value rational action and eg
the value comes from the action rather than the end result, the process eg. boxing
4 types of action according to weber: traditional action and eg
what you would do in your family eg. pray
4 types of action according to weber: affectual action and eg
action that expresses emotion eg. anger
how does weber’s definition of social class differ from marx’s?
you can evaluate your status eg. by volunteering, there is more to it than wealth and what you physically own eg. a car
charismatic power and eg
devotion to a leader because they have good qualities eg. hitler
traditional power and eg
based on customs in society eg. the royal family
rational legal power and eg
we have given them power because we share similar values eg. the army
structural theories (4)
comment on what they see (whole society, institutions shape individual action, macro, top down approach (future is already determined)
structural sociologists (3)
Durkheim, Marx, Firestone
social action theories (4)
ask individuals as they shape and build society, bottom up approach (we build our society) , voluntaristic, micro
social action sociologists (3)
weber, mead, becker
feminisms: radical (3)
• men use their selective power to ensure society is run in their interest
• threaten physical and sexual violence •ideological control: double standards
radical solution
artificial wombs, separatism (men and women not living together)
feminisms: liberal (2)
people should be treated according to their individual merits (talents and effort) and not sexual characteristics, should enjoy same privileges and opportunities as men (standing side by side)
liberal solution
use the law to promote equal opportunities
feminisms: marxist (3)
• women are not treated equally in work • women are a ‘reserve army of labour’
• women given free housework which isn’t paid
marxist solution
a communist society would end gender roles
feminisms: black (2)
ethnic minority women suffer from a double oppression (racism and patriarchy) feminism doesn’t address issues specific to E.M women eg. forced marriage
black solution
end racism
premodern (stage 1) (5)
- religion proves all explanations
- religion helps with education and health
- heavily influenced by supernatural
- limited travelling (horse, foot)
- cottage industry
modernity (stage 2) (3)
- industrial revolution: created factories, big machines, trains
- enlightenment: gradual increase in science
- increase in capitalism
post modernity (stage 3) (2)
-mechanisation
-choice and change
meta-narratives
big story about our world eg. feminism
criticism of post-modernism
social structures are not freely, simply chosen
what % of pupils are eligible for free school meals 2022/23
24% (2 million)
how does inequality start early? (2 stats)
-by the age of 3, children from disadvantaged homes are up to a year behind in their learning from those from privileged backgrounds
-children from w/c backgrounds were less likely to be found in nursery or preschools
a level results fsm students compared to non fsm students 2022/23
fsm: 79.2% non-fsm: 87.8%
what % of exclusions in schools in 2021/2022 were from fsm students?
59%
how do university applications affect fsm students?
fewer than one in five young people from the lower social class groups participate in higher education
