introduction to theory

Question 1

value consensus

Answer 1

an informal agreement on what is right and important in our society. we are socialised into these values to make sure everyone agrees.

Question 2

structuralist theory

Answer 2

functionalists believe that society has a huge influence and shapes individual behaviour, society structures our behaviour

Question 3

body analogy + example

Answer 3

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

Question 4

sanctions + example

Answer 4

rewards or punishments for certain actions eg. a parking ticket

Question 5

socialised + example

Answer 5

being brought up with how to act and what is socially right eg. manners

Question 6

conflict theory

Answer 6

fighting against something

Question 7

bourgeoisie

Answer 7

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

Question 8

proletariat

Answer 8

the lower-class in society. They work for the proletariat and don’t get paid fair wages, so are exploited

Question 9

infrastructure + example

Answer 9

economic means of society eg. forces of production (raw materials of producing food and technology) these are owned by the bourgeoisie

Question 10

superstructure + example

Answer 10

political, economic and legal institutions that keep the infrastructure strong eg. family

Question 11

oppression

Answer 11

pressing down. the bourgeoisie oppress and press down on the proletariat

Question 12

exploitation

Answer 12

taking advantage of people who don’t have ownership

Question 13

ideology + how its used according to Marx

Answer 13

a false picture of reality and society. the bourgeoisie use this to brainwash the proletariat into accepting their ideas

Question 14

false consciousness

Answer 14

the proletariat believing the ideologies

Question 15

revolution

Answer 15

a forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favour of a new system

Question 16

communism

Answer 16

everyone in society is completely equal and on the same level

Question 17

socialism

Answer 17

proletariats in charge, at the top of the chain

Question 18

weber’s level of cause

Answer 18

explaining the objective structural factors that shape behaviours

Question 19

weber’s level of meaning

Answer 19

understanding the subjective meanings that individuals attach to their actions, but you need context

Question 20

4 types of action according to weber: instrumentally rational action and eg

Answer 20

doing something for the end goal eg. going to university

Question 21

4 types of action according to weber: value rational action and eg

Answer 21

the value comes from the action rather than the end result, the process eg. boxing

Question 22

4 types of action according to weber: traditional action and eg

Answer 22

what you would do in your family eg. pray

Question 23

4 types of action according to weber: affectual action and eg

Answer 23

action that expresses emotion eg. anger

Question 24

how does weber’s definition of social class differ from marx’s?

Answer 24

you can evaluate your status eg. by volunteering, there is more to it than wealth and what you physically own eg. a car

Question 25

charismatic power and eg

Answer 25

devotion to a leader because they have good qualities eg. hitler

Question 26

traditional power and eg

Answer 26

based on customs in society eg. the royal family

Question 27

rational legal power and eg

Answer 27

we have given them power because we share similar values eg. the army

Question 28

structural theories (4)

Answer 28

comment on what they see (whole society, institutions shape individual action, macro, top down approach (future is already determined)

Question 29

structural sociologists (3)

Answer 29

Durkheim, Marx, Firestone

Question 30

social action theories (4)

Answer 30

ask individuals as they shape and build society, bottom up approach (we build our society) , voluntaristic, micro

Question 31

social action sociologists (3)

Answer 31

weber, mead, becker

Question 32

feminisms: radical (3)

Answer 32

men use their selective power to ensure society is run in their interest, threaten physical and sexual violence, ideological control: double standards

Question 33

radical solution

Answer 33

artificial wombs, separatism (men and women not living together)

Question 34

feminisms: liberal (2)

Answer 34

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)

Question 35

liberal solution

Answer 35

use the law to promote equal opportunities

Question 36

feminisms: marxist (3)

Answer 36

women are not treated equally in work, women are a ‘reserve army of labour’, women given free housework which isn’t paid

Question 37

marxist solution

Answer 37

a communist society would end gender roles

Question 38

feminisms: black (2)

Answer 38

ethnic minority women suffer from a double oppression (racism and patriarchy) feminism doesn’t address issues specific to E.M women eg. forced marriage

Question 39

black solution

Answer 39

end racism

Question 40

premodern (stage 1) (5)

Answer 40

• religion proves all explanations
• religion helps with education and health
• heavily influenced by supernatural
• limited travelling (horse, foot)
• cottage industry

Question 41

modernity (stage 2) (3)

Answer 41

• industrial revolution: created factories, big machines, trains
• enlightenment: gradual increase in science
• increase in capitalism

Question 42

post modernity (stage 3) (2)

Answer 42

-mechanisation
-choice and change

Question 43

meta-narratives

Answer 43

big story about our world eg. feminism

Question 44

criticism of post-modernism

Answer 44

social structures are not freely, simply chosen