Sociological Perspectives Flashcards
What are sociological perspectives?
They are a way of interpreting social phenomena. It is the lens through which a sociologist looks at the world around them in order to understand it. The perspectives create a paradigm to use in making this interpretation.
Macro (structural) approaches
Consensus and conflict approaches;
- Consensus; functionalism
- Conflict; Marxisms and Feminisms
Micro approaches
- Modernist approaches; Late Modernity and Post-modernism
- Interactionist approaches; Social Action Theory, Symbolic interactionism, Phenomenology and Ethnomethodology
Two approaches to studying society
The Structural Approach - how society is organised is the most important influence; focused on structure, includes Functionalism and Marxisms
The Social Action Approach - Individual actions and perception are the most important influence; includes interactionism
Structural = institutions are the most influential
Social Action = people are the most influential
Conflict vs Consensus Perspectives
Consensus Theorists support the idea that everyone in society has a shared, communal goal with they wonk together in harmony to achieve, known as social solidarity.
Conflict theorists suggest there is always conflict in society between two or more competing groups over power and resources.
Consensus Theory
Suggest individuals in society have shared fundamental norms and values, making Emile Durkheim’s functionalism a consensus theory. Parsons and Durkheim both developed functionalist ideas about society as a system. The balance of social control and cohesion in a society is best maintained by consensus.
The process of socialization is critical to the consensus perspective, as it ensures the norms and values of society are passed to the next generation to consolidate correct behavior.
Conflict Theory
Stresses conflict, struggle and change - theorists believe that values are imposed on society by powerful groups and no agreement is present. Society is viewed as being based on the interests of one powerful group that imposes and marginalizes others in society. They are interested in how society’s institutions help to maintain the privileges of some groups and maintain dominance over others. Two major conflict theories are Marxism and Feminism.
Similarities between Conflict and Consensus Theories
- Structuralism - concerned with the overall structure of society and the way social institutions influence the behavior of individuals - society shapes the people. Both theories suggest the structures of society are more important than the wishes of individuals.
Social institutions - seen by both approaches as having a key role in socializing people into the norms and values of society - being socialized enables society to function effectively.
Formal and informal control - through different social institutions are subjected to all types of social control.
Differences between conflict and consensus
Despite agreeing that social institutions act as agents of socialization, they suggest different reasons for this occurrence:
- Functionalists (consensus) - benefit everyone
- Marxists (conflict) - benefits the ruling class
- Feminists (conflict) - beneficial to the maintenance of the patriarchy
Conflict theories also suggest power is the most important factor in setting norms and values, as laws and rules are wiremen by the powerful in society. In contrast, consensus theory suggests society is meritocratic and those who work hard can achieve higher status in society. Conflict theory suggests however that societal processes enable the replication of dominant positions.
(Ascribed status = conflict idea
Achieved status = consensus idea)
How can they be applied to a contemporary society?
Consensus: Education
- Schools transmit norms and values to the next generation
- They create social cohesion by passing on shared values
- Schools teach British values to children learn to accept their expectations in British society
Conflict:
- Schools prepare students for traditional roles e.g. working class children are prepared for working class jobs
- There are differences in the achievements of those on free school meals and those who aren’t
Are they relevant to contemporary society?
Both can be applied -
Consensus:
- Shared values and norms come from societies coming together, such as clapping for carers
- Social solidarity is consistently reinforced through education policies
- Rules and laws re-affirm the boundaries of society so that when people are arrested for crime, it reminds members of society what happens if boundaries are crossed.
Conflict:
- Racial inequalities exists
- Wage inequality between genders
- Inequality still exists in society
A summary
- Conflict theory is a way of studying society that focuses on inequalities of different groups in society
- Consensus theory is based on a general widespread agreement among all members of a particular society.
Both can be used to explain different sociological topics and contrasting views of how society operates.
