Research Methods 5 - Structural Theories

Question 1

Functionalism?

Answer 1

Structural theory
Macro theory (whole society)
Believe in the structure of societies as a way to analyse the people within it

Question 2

Main functionalism ‘uses’?

Answer 2

Organic analogy to contribute to understanding of society
Can show how individuals are integrated into society through socialisation and social control (Parson)
Can explain social order through social institutions (Durkheim believes all humans naturally selfish)
As positivist theory, can show casual relationships that exist in society (believed by Comte and Durkheim)

Question 3

Organic analogy Parsons (1970) explanation?

Answer 3

Human body and society both have
-systems that are self-regulating and have independent parts that fit together (social institutions and individual roles)
-needs with organs of the body needing to survive, and society needing people
Functions which meet their needs e.g. economy for food and shelter

Question 4

Examples of functionalisms uses?

Answer 4

Organic analogy (OA) Davis and Moore role allocation helps individuals excel in work place and meritocracy help support economy
Integration, formal education has British values in to help integration
Social order, Durkheim on religion
Positivism, ‘Suicide’ study highlighted vulnerable groups to help prevent it

Question 5

Criticisms of functionalisms uses?

Answer 5

The organic analogy is not an explanation in itself but a comparison to another
View on integration suffers from temporal validity and is outdated due to more postmodern society (e.g. feminists push against Parson’s instrumental and expressive roles) AND ignores negatives in society e.g. domestic abuse at home ignored in all theories
Social order, Marxists argue, is to stop working class from fighting oppression
Functionalists also fail to recognise power structures in society e.g. Taylor criticises Merton’s strain theory for not looking at why there’s no equality of opportunity
Postmodernists believe no collective value consensus e.g. religion stats
Interpretivists think positivism is too deterministic and establishing patterns isn’t an explanation

Question 6

Support for functionalists use?

Answer 6

New right have used organic analogy concept in contemporary setting suggesting its use e.g. neo liberal policies based on negative relationship between welfare family and state, suggesting their interconnectedness
Social order idea used in Hirschi study on why people don’t commit crime, stating it was down to ‘bonds of attachment’
Positivism is still used e.g. demography, educational attainment etc.

Question 7

Traditional Marxism?

Answer 7

Capitalism forces bourgeoisie and proletariat relationship and the value are fed into the superstructure (social institutions, family, etc.) to disguise inequality
To stop this, there must be communist revolution to abandon class, exploitation etc. with everything owned by everyone

Question 8

Criticisms of Marx?

Answer 8

Weber states status and power differences, not just class can be sources of inequality e.g. Soviet Union elite
Feminists argue gender is bigger inequality
Weber states proletariat needs to be split further (skilled and unskilled) and middle class need to be looked at
Class polarisation, is predicted by Marx, hsn’t happened, with MC doing better than WC
Too deterministic (Weber argues Calvinistic Protestantism started capitalism, not economy)
Economically backward countries e.g. Russia 1917 only ones to have revolutions, not advanced ones like Marx predicted

Question 9

Neo-Marxist Humanistic/critical Marxism?

Answer 9

Gramsci (1971) disagrees that economic forces determine workers capitalist experiences
And believed more in superstructure and how it promotes the bourgeoises right to rule
However he also agrees in the welfare state and said people have a duel consciousness: they can perceive exploitation and force change

Question 10

Criticisms of Gramsci (1971)?

Answer 10

Overemphasises role of idea and not state and economic actors (acceptance less of passive consent and more of fear of unemployment etc.)

Question 11

Support of Gramsci (1971)?

Answer 11

Paul Willis’ working class boys did understand meritocracy was a myth

Question 12

Frankfurt school of neo-Marxists?

Answer 12

1. Adorno (1991) workers have reasons to accept their exploitation even when they know it is
2. Marcuse (1964) popular culture plays a massive role in exploitation
3. Marcuse (1964) wants and desires manipulated to serve capitalism e.g. advertising ‘false needs’

Question 13

Structural/scientific Marxism?

Answer 13

Althusser (1969) superstructure etc. could challenge capitalism, and people can consent to capitalist ideology
‘scientific’ as it explores the ‘laws’ that underpin capitalism and is largely positivist as ruling class determines individuals thoughts etc.
3 components to capitalism
1. Economic system and infrastructure
2. Ideological state apparatus
3. Political system
Socialism won’t happen until there’s a crisis in capitalism

Question 14

Support for Althusser (1969)?

Answer 14

Ian Craib (1992) society is a puppet theatre
Craib thinks its the most sophisticated conception of social structure available.

Question 15

Criticisms of Althusser (1969)?

Answer 15

Despite criticising humanism and economic determinism, Althusser has just replaced it with a more complex system
Humanists say this approach discourages activism because it emphasises its structural and implies individuals can’t do much
Thompson (1978) criticises Althusser for ignoring active struggles of WC and says hes too elitist

Question 16

Feminism basics?

Answer 16

Society dominated by men
Origins in late 18th century enlightenment (universal equality and liberty)
‘First wave’ late 19th century with right to vote
‘Second wave’ in 1960s
Different types of feminism

Question 17

Liberal feminists?

Answer 17

Concerned with freedom and rights and believe everyone is equal
Believe in reforms to make things better e.g. policies against sex discrimination, and cultural changes and reforms e.g. women should be included in decision making
Believe women are just as competent as men and reject men ‘being’ less nurturing than women

Question 18

Liberal feminists contribution?

Answer 18

Distinction between sex and gender
E.g. while women drive, they maybe in minority of UK bus drivers
Believe in socialisation patterns changing e.g. media challenging gender stereotypes, female teachers in traditionally male subjects, men doing domestic chores, so men and women freed from constraints of masculinity
Male gaze

Question 19

Support for liberal feminists?

Answer 19

Evidence produced documenting gender inequality which have legitimatised the demand for reform
It’s helped demonstrate gender differences are the result of treatment not inborn

Question 20

Criticism of liberal feminists?

Answer 20

Criticised for over optimism
Walby (1997) they offer no overall explanation for gender inequality overall and ignore patriarchy and/or capitalisms effect

Question 21

Radical feminism core beliefs?

Answer 21

Emerged early 1970s
Believe patriarchy is universal
Sex is the most fundamental division in society
All men oppress all women

Question 22

Radical feminists contributions?

Answer 22

Patriarchy and power relationships (sexual politics) in public and private spheres e.g. domestic abuse, etc. that controls women in some way
Brownmiller (1976) fear of sexual assault big deterrent for women going out at night
Analyses social construction of sexuality e.g. pornographys portrayal of women as passive sex objects, Rich (1981) women forced into ‘compulsory heterosexuality’ and punished if they don’t comply

Question 23

Solutions according to radical feminists?

Answer 23

Separatism - Greer (2000) women and men should live separately with women in ‘matrilocal’ all female households
Consciousness raising - women should share their experiences to join together in collective action e.g. ‘reclaim the night’ marches
Political lesbianism - hetero relationships are inevitably oppressive (‘sleeping with the enemy’) so lesbianism is the only non-oppressive form of sexuality

Question 24

Support for radical feminists?

Answer 24

Looks at politics involved in private sphere

Question 25

Criticisms of radical feminists?

Answer 25

Marxists - class is primary inequality, capitalism oppresses women more
No explanation for female subordination and ignores class, ethnicity, etc.
Pollert (1996) patriarchy as a concept is a circular argument e.g. male violence explained as patriarchy but patriarchy is sustained by male violence
Somerville, Separatism unlikely to be achievable due to heterosexual attraction
Patriarchy already in decline? Liberal feminists think so, womens aspirations, etc.
Doesn’t look at women’s violence against men and in lesbian relationships

Question 26

Marxist feminists beliefs?

Answer 26

Sexism rooted in capitalism because:
Women cheap reserve labour force due to economic dependence on men
Women reserve labour army during economic booms
Women reproduce labour force and socialise them
Women absorb anger (Ansley (1972) women are ‘takers of shit’ and soak up husbands frustrations at work)

Question 27

Barrett’s (1980) belief on Marxist feminism?

Answer 27

Must dismantle presentation of nuclear family, intimacy and motherhood (familism) as ideals and fulfilling for women as well as capitalism to stop restrictive stereotypes
Mitchell (1975) idea of femininity deeply planted in womens minds so both capitalism and patriarchal thinking must be overcome

Question 28

Support for Marxists feminists?

Answer 28

Economic production important in other societal areas so good to link sexism and capitalism

Question 29

Criticisms of Marxist feminists?

Answer 29

Can’t account for women’s subordination in non-capitalist countries (they don’t try to explain it though)
Hartmann (1981) Marxism is ‘sex blind’ as doesn’t explain why women not men do unpaid domestic labour
Insufficient look at how men oppress women (including WC)
Not proven unpaid domestic labour cheapest way to reproduce labour power - could be cheaper through state funded nursery, etc.