Perspectives- quick quiz (isms) Flashcards
What is functionalism in sociology?
Functionalism is a theoretical perspective in sociology that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability and order.
Who is considered the founding father of functionalism?
Emile Durkheim is considered the founding father of functionalism.
What is the main focus of positivist sociology?
Positivist sociology focuses on using scientific methods to study social behavior and society.
Who is associated with positivist sociology?
Auguste Comte is associated with positivist sociology.
What is the positivist view on social reality?
Positivists believe that social reality exists objectively and can be studied through empirical observation and measurement.
What is interpretivism in sociology?
Interpretivism is a theoretical perspective in sociology that focuses on understanding society through the meanings that individuals attach to their actions.
Who is associated with interpretivism?
Max Weber is associated with interpretivism.
What is the key difference between positivist and interpretivist approaches?
The key difference is that positivists seek to uncover general laws governing human behavior, while interpretivists focus on understanding the subjective meanings individuals attach to their actions.
True or False: Functionalism emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of different parts of society.
True
Fill in the blank: Positivist sociology relies on ______ methods to study social phenomena.
scientific
What term is used to describe the process of understanding the subjective meanings individuals attach to their actions in interpretivism?
Verstehen
Which sociological perspective views society as a system of interrelated parts that work together to maintain stability?
Functionalism
Who is known for his work on the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, which reflects an interpretivist approach?
Max Weber
What is the positivist view on the nature of social facts?
Positivists view social facts as external to individuals, existing independently of their thoughts and actions.
What is the main goal of interpretivist sociology?
The main goal is to understand how individuals create and maintain social reality through their interactions.
True or False: Positivists believe that social reality can be studied using the same methods as the natural sciences.
True
Fill in the blank: Interpretivists emphasize the importance of ______ in understanding social phenomena.
meaning
What is the primary criticism of functionalism?
The primary criticism is that it tends to focus on stability and order at the expense of conflict and change.
Who is credited with introducing the concept of anomie in the context of functionalism?
Emile Durkheim
What is the role of values and beliefs in interpretivist sociology?
Values and beliefs are seen as shaping individuals’ interpretations of social reality in interpretivist sociology.
True or False: Interpretivism emphasizes the importance of subjective experiences and meanings in shaping social behavior.
True
Fill in the blank: Positivists believe that social phenomena can be studied through ______ observation and measurement.
empirical
What is the key criticism of positivist sociology?
The key criticism is that it oversimplifies social reality and neglects the subjective experiences of individuals.
Who is known for his work on the division of labor and social solidarity in the context of functionalism?
Emile Durkheim
