sociological approaches and methods - approaches xx

Question 1

who’s the key functionalist?

Answer 1

durkheim

Question 2

who’s the key marxist?

Answer 2

karl marx

Question 3

what’s the key feminist?

Answer 3

oakley

Question 4

what the functionalist approach?

Answer 4

• society is positive and is in harmony
• there’s value consensus-everyone agrees on what is important
• society is like human body, we need all the parts of it to be able to function
• agencies such as family, education and crime all help to keep society running smoothly and these are positive
• no group in society has more power than another group, but functionalists are accused of viewing society’s too positively

Question 5

what’s the marxist approach?

Answer 5

• society is negative and is based on conflict
• capitalism creates a divide between two social classes
• the ruling class ( bourgeoise ) own the businesses and exploit the working class ( proletariat ) for profit
• family, education, crime etc. all work to keep the class divide and benefit the ruling class
• working class don’t realise they are being exploited
• the only way to overcome this inequality is a revolution (and society becoming communist)

Question 6

what’s the feminist approach?

Answer 6

• society is negative and is based on conflict
• society is divided by gender and is based on patriarchy (male domination and power)
• men have power and dominance in society and women are oppressed
• family, education, crime etc all work to keep the gender divide and exploit women
• for example, women may be victims of domestic abuse and may be taught gender roles that limit their opportunities in society