Paper 2 Flashcards
Consensus theory
Social order in society is based on a system of shared norms and values
Conflict theory
Proposes that social order in society is based on a system of inequality
Macro theory
Focus on large scale social processes such as social change
Micro theories
Focus on small scale interactions between individuals
Sociological theories x5
Functionalism
Interactionism
Marxism
New right
Feminism
Feminism
Exploitation of women
-classed as conflict theories
-believe men exploit women in society
-men oppress women so they can hold their powerful positions
Feminism
Patriarchy
-feminists believe we live in a patriarchal society
-this puts women at a disadvantage e.g men get paid more
Feminism
Laws introduced
-1920-women could vote
-1923-women could file for divorce
-1970-equal pay act
-1975-sex discrimination act
-2004-domestic violence act
Feminism
Different types of feminism
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
Functionalism theory
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
Functionalism
Consensus theory
-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
Functionalism
Value consensus
-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
Functionalism
Social order and social control
-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
Functionalism
Importance of socialisation
-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
Who are the new right
-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
New right thinker- Charles Murray
-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
Criticisms of the new right theory
-victim blaming- people are blamed for their poverty when it isn’t their fault
-outdated
-too harsh- not all lone parent rely on benefits
What is Marxism theory
-comes from Karl Marx
-he did not agree with how unequal society was and wanted to see fairer changes
-disagreed with functionalist approach
Marxism
Capitalism and communism
-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
Marxism
Working class and ruling class
-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
Criticisms of the Marxist theory
-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
What is interactionism
-they study from a much smaller scale
-look at human interactions and how these interactions can shape who we are today
Interactionism
Self concept
-it is the picture that we carry round inside us of the person we think we are and it develops through interactions with others
Interactionism
Labels
-interactionists believe that people in society give labels but can have a damaging effect if label is negative
Interactionism
Master status
-it is the main status that people are known by
-it is what they expect to be and what other expect of them
Interactionism
Self fulfilling
-people become what they think they should be because of a label that the have constantly been given
