sociological lens Flashcards
3 sociological theories
1) structural functionalism
2) conflict theory
3) symbolic interactionalism
2 points about structural functionalism
- society functions as collection of ppl that fulfil specific roles which work together for benefit of society
- macro-level theory
5 points about conflict theory
- society arises from competition for limited resources
- macro-level theory
1) some more successful @ securing them
2) use their power to create institutions & social structures to maintain their status
3) inequality woven into society by groups & reinforced by society structure
3 points about symbolic interactionalism
- micro-level theory
- meaning arises through communication between individuals through words & symb.s
- interpretation of words & symb.s create social reality (xp)
define sociology
science of society, social institutions, social culture & social relationships
8 sociological principles
- social interaction = basis for construction of society
- how we interact reflects what we believe & value as group
- society = divided into distinct social units that tell us what the rules =
- patterns of behaviour reveal unequal social relationships
- social change = necessary & part of survival
- we must attempt to explain social behaviour
- we must strive to provide evidence that supports claims about social behaviour
- we can use scientific work to improve human social cond.
5 sociological concepts
- functionalism
- marxism
- feminism
- interactionism
- postmodernism
3 points about functionalism
- learning norms & values = neutral, important process for maintenance of social order
- agree around shared values
- thought = outcome of effective socialisation & crucial to maintaining order
4 points about marxism
- Bourgeoisie = minority who make money on profits from investments
- Proletariat = majority who have no/little capital & must work for a living
- exploitative relationship between the 2 classes
- ruling class uses control of social institutions to gain ideological dominance / control how ppl think
describe feminism
securing legal equality for women
6 points about interactionism
- I = active aspect of personality
- Me = social aspect of personality
- I reflects on Me
- Looking glass self = idea that individual’s self-concept = based on their understanding of how others perceive them
- Social identity = how 1 seems themself in relation to others in society - incorporates role within family & workplace
- Self-fulfilling prophecy = where some1 acts according to label & label then comes true
describe postmodernism
splitting parts of communities into smaller groups which = more isolated from each other
3 evidences for functionalism
- official stat.s show declining family size
- cross national stat.s show +ve correlation between economic & social development
- official stat.s show +ve correlation btwn truancy & crime
6 evidences for maxism
- correlation btwn increasing neoliberal policies & increasing global inequality
- official stat.s show +ve correlation btwn material deprivation & underachievement in education
- official stat.s show increase in childhood obesity, suggesting link btwn advertising, pester ower & poor child health
- case studies of huge economic & social costs of corporate crime
- case studies of exploitation in developing world e.g. ship breaking in Bangladesh
- case studies of criminals not being punished for crimes e.g. Mark Ashley of Sports Direct
4 evidences for feminism
- official stat.s show no country on Earth has gender equality
- stat.s on Domestic Division of Labour show women spend twice as long on chores than men
- official stat.s on domestic violence show 1 quarter of women = victims in lifetime, more than men
- prevalence of prostitution & pornography & links to sex trafficking
evidence for postmodernism
complex family structures
4 links btwn individual xp & social structures/forces
- mutually dependent
- personal xps oft. caused by social structures
- personal prob.s = oft. viewed by ppl as social issues so both xp & social structures = connected by individual
- social forces influence individual’s attitudes, ideas & sentiments
explain how social norms can influence health, illness & medical practice
ppl model behaviour on what model & comparable ppl would do in same sitch
explain how social values & structures can influence health, illness & medical practice
ppl can feel invoked guilt which can influence what they think they should do/say w health-related prob.s
