Paper 2

Question 1

Consensus theory

Answer 1

Social order in society is based on a system of shared norms and values

Question 2

Conflict theory

Answer 2

Proposes that social order in society is based on a system of inequality

Question 3

Macro theory

Answer 3

Focus on large scale social processes such as social change

Question 4

Micro theories

Answer 4

Focus on small scale interactions between individuals

Question 5

Sociological theories x5

Answer 5

Functionalism
Interactionism
Marxism
New right
Feminism

Question 6

Feminism
Exploitation of women

Answer 6

-classed as conflict theories
-believe men exploit women in society
-men oppress women so they can hold their powerful positions

Question 7

Feminism
Patriarchy

Answer 7

-feminists believe we live in a patriarchal society
-this puts women at a disadvantage e.g men get paid more

Question 8

Feminism
Laws introduced

Answer 8

-1920-women could vote
-1923-women could file for divorce
-1970-equal pay act
-1975-sex discrimination act
-2004-domestic violence act

Question 9

Feminism
Different types of feminism

Answer 9

Radical feminists- believe society is set up to benefit men and will only change if harsh action takes place
Marxists feminists- believe oppression of women is to fund a capitalist society
Liberal feminists- look at equality between men and women and campaign for changes
Black feminists- believe women are also oppressed by race as well as gender

Question 10

Functionalism theory

Answer 10

See society as being similar to the human body
Made up of different parts and if one is not functioning properly the whole society would stop

Question 11

Functionalism
Consensus theory

Answer 11

-agree with the way society works and how it is ran
-society must work to work together to make sure it runs smoothly
-consensus means society is based on shared values and norms

Question 12

Functionalism
Value consensus

Answer 12

-means general agreement amongst members of society about the important values they hold in common
- we have value consensus between us because we get taught norms and values

Question 13

Functionalism
Social order and social control

Answer 13

-functionalists believe we need order in society for it to work, everyone follows the same rules and does as they are told
-social order is created through socialisation and being taught what is right and wrong
-social control is used to make people stay in line e.g formal social control e.g police, informal social control e.g teachers

Question 14

Functionalism
Importance of socialisation

Answer 14

-believe that if we are not socialised from a young age we will not know how to behave in society
-believe in primary socialisation and secondary socialisation and without this society would not run properly as we do not know how to behave

Question 15

Who are the new right

Answer 15

-assume society works best when based on consensus
-often associated with politics
-looks at differences in society but its down to the individual that causes poverty
-new right thinkers believe it is important to return to traditional family values e.g marriage before children

Question 16

New right thinker- Charles Murray

Answer 16

-leading new right thinker
-said an underclass developed which is the poorest people who rely on welfare benefits rather than going to work
-says lone parent families make up this underclass
-Murray says government has rewarded irresponsible behaviour by making these people rely on benefits. This is called welfare dependency
- Murray said parents pass this way of life onto children. This is called culture of dependency

Question 17

Criticisms of the new right theory

Answer 17

-victim blaming- people are blamed for their poverty when it isn’t their fault
-outdated
-too harsh- not all lone parent rely on benefits

Question 18

What is Marxism theory

Answer 18

-comes from Karl Marx
-he did not agree with how unequal society was and wanted to see fairer changes
-disagreed with functionalist approach

Question 19

Marxism
Capitalism and communism

Answer 19

-Marx did not agree with the capitalist society (society where a huge amount of goods are produced and sold for large profits)
-he believed we should live in a communist society this was where there were no social classes and everyone should be equal

Question 20

Marxism
Working class and ruling class

Answer 20

-Marxists believe that working class will always be at a disadvantage. Society is set up to benefit rich
-ruling class want to make profit and do this by exploiting working class by paying them low wages. This is called class conflict

Question 21

Criticisms of the Marxist theory

Answer 21

-focuses too much on social inequity rather than other problems such as gender inequality
-too negative
-in other countries where communism has been put into place hasn’t always been successful

Question 22

What is interactionism

Answer 22

-they study from a much smaller scale
-look at human interactions and how these interactions can shape who we are today

Question 23

Interactionism
Self concept

Answer 23

-it is the picture that we carry round inside us of the person we think we are and it develops through interactions with others

Question 24

Interactionism
Labels

Answer 24

-interactionists believe that people in society give labels but can have a damaging effect if label is negative

Question 25

Interactionism
Master status

Answer 25

-it is the main status that people are known by
-it is what they expect to be and what other expect of them

Question 26

Interactionism
Self fulfilling

Answer 26

-people become what they think they should be because of a label that the have constantly been given