Key Perspectives

Question 1

Functionalism

Answer 1

The belief that society all works together and are dependent on each other ( interdependent)

Question 2

Anomie

Answer 2

A condition in society of instability resulting from breakdown of standards and values

Question 3

Socialisation

Answer 3

Individuals are taught what is and isn’t acceptable within society

Question 4

Social Control

Answer 4

Set of rules and standards that ensure individuals behave in society

Question 5

Social Inequality

Answer 5

The extent to which there are differences between groups in society. This can be related to differences in income, gender, ethnicity, race etc.

Question 6

Social Solidarity

Answer 6

This emphasises the interdependence between individuals in society, which ensures social order and stability.

Question 7

Values Consensus

Answer 7

The extent to which individuals within a social structure share the same values.

Question 8

Marxism

Answer 8

They believe that we live in a capitalist society and they believe that the system divides everyone into two basic classes: bosses and workers / ruling class and the working class / bourgeoisie and proletariat

Question 9

Bourgeoisie

Answer 9

This is the ruling class which controls society, they benefit in every way from how society operates.

Question 10

Proletariat

Answer 10

This is the working class and they get much less than what they deserve

Question 11

Conflict Theory

Answer 11

A theory that society is in a state of perpetual conflict because of competition for limited resources.

Question 12

Consensus Theory

Answer 12

A theory that views consensus ( collective agreement ) as a key distinguishing feature of a group of society or people.

Question 13

Inequality

Answer 13

The uneven and unequal distribution of opportunities and rewards that increase power, prestige, and wealth for individuals

Question 14

Exploitation

Answer 14

A situation in which a dominant group within society manipulates another social group.

Question 15

Feminism

Answer 15

A theory that argues that gender is the source of difference, inequality and conflict and that society is highly patriarchal

Question 16

Liberal Feminists

Answer 16

They believe that over the years there has been lots of changes and believe that there is a steady improvement in the position of women

Question 17

Marxists Feminists

Answer 17

They argue that patriarchal society is like a capitalist society, because women are an unpaid domestic force of labour who serve for the male force / true equality between genders can only occur when capitalism has been dismantled

Question 18

Radical Feminists

Answer 18

They believe that patriarchal oppression and exploitation of women is built into every aspect of society. For example patriarchy is prominent in families and that men tend to dominate women in all aspects of life

Question 19

Difference Feminists

Answer 19

They argue that all women have different experiences when it comes to patriarchy. For example a black woman could have a different experience to a white woman

Question 20

Stratification

Answer 20

A society’s categorisation of its people based on factors like wealth, income, race, education etc.

Question 21

Patriarchal

Answer 21

A social situation in which men have a privileged position is society

Question 22

Postmodernism

Answer 22

Postmodernists believe we have entered a new era of society / into a postmodern society

Question 23

Dis - embedding

Answer 23

This refers to our ability to interact with others without having to make face to face contact.

Question 24

Reflexivity

Answer 24

This is the act of the researcher constantly reflecting on the extent to which they themselves are impacting on their research and findings

Question 25

Globalisation

Answer 25

Can be defined as the interconnectedness of countries, people and institutions across the world.

Question 26

Meta narratives

Answer 26

“Grand stories” which claim to present the truth

Question 27

Simulacrum

Answer 27

A simulation ( an image and imitation which we see as real )

Question 28

Hyper reality

Answer 28

Inability to distinguish simulation from reality, which results in an artificial and distorted vision of the world

Question 29

Interactionism

Answer 29

Theory that rejects the structuralist assumption that social behaviour is determined by the organisation of society. They see people as having a much more positive and active role in shaping social life.

Question 30

Bottom Up Theory

Answer 30

Starts with people not society (micro approach)

Question 31

Social Identity

Answer 31

How well we perform our roles

Question 32

Self Identity

Answer 32

How we see ourselves. This is usually the result of how we interpret others’ reactions towards us and how we distinguish acceptable and unacceptable behaviour