Postmodernism - Theories

Question 1

What are the characteristics of Modernity (1750-1980)?

Answer 1

• Industrial period where class was very divided - urbanisation
• State played huge role in peoples lives
• Rationalisation + sociology and science become meta narratives

Question 2

What are the characteristics of Postmodernity?

Answer 2

• Moving away from industrialisation - service economy
• Big business have lots of influence - global
• Lots of diversity
• Less faith in metro narratives, including science
• Culture - consumption is a big part of our identities
• Work is flexible
• Globalisation
• Sense of identity - constructed by our knowledge and understanding of the world

Question 3

What are the consequences that Postmodernity has had on Sociology?

Answer 3

• The generalisations made in sociology + employing key variables like gender are no longer relevant
• Old ‘grand narratives’ (Like Functionalism) are no longer useful in explaining or predicting
• Sociology is only one set of ideas so cannot use it to change society

Question 4

What is Giddens’ critical view of Postmodernism?

Answer 4

Argues we are in a late modern society:

- Reflexivity = we reflect question knowledge rather than simply accept it

Question 5

What is Beck’s critical view of Postmodernism?

Answer 5

Argues we live in a ‘Risk Society’ with high levels of uncertainty or anxiety such as family instability

Question 6

How does Postmodernism apply to the family?

Answer 6

• Beck: risk society
• Family diversity
• Now days, there is a life course, not a predictable life cycle
• Stacey: FD = less patriarchy: divorce extended family

Question 7

How does Postmodernism apply to education?

Answer 7

• Diversity e.g. greater choice of school types + qualifications than ever
• Individualised
• Technology
• Life-long

Question 8

How does Postmodernism apply to crime?

Answer 8

Social harm - if we only look at acts classed as crimes we are ignoring lots of harmful acts
- technology 
- catfishing
Global crime
- cyber crime
Effects of media
- encourages consumerism

Question 9

How does Postmodernism apply to beliefs?

Answer 9

• Bunting: DIY cocktail
• Lyon: spiritual shoppers
• Baumann: Crisis of meaning
• Lyotard: Loss of faith in meta narratives

Question 10

What are 4 strengths of Postmodernism?

Answer 10

1) Points to the power and influence of the mass media
2) Acknowledges the major social and cultural changes which have taken place
3) It challenges the meta narratives such as Marxism and Functionalism
4) It highlights the role played by the ‘shrinking world’/Globalisation - we now live in a ‘global village’

Question 11

What are 4 weaknesses of Postmodernism?

Answer 11

1) Assumes that the changes such as greater choice equates with a new ‘postmodern world’
2) Underestimates the importance of key variables for explain behaviour - class, gender etc
3) Contradictory - rejects grand narratives but is a big theory its self
4) Over emphasises the influences of the mass media. Tends to assume people are passive and easily duped by the media