Sociological Perspectives

Question 1

Structuralism

Answer 1

these theories see individuals as shaped by the structures or institutions in society

Functionalism sees society socialising individuals into accepted norms and values that dictate how they will behave

Question 2

macro approach

Answer 2

These theories focus on the large-scale

On the relationships between social institutions like the education system and the economy and how they shape individuals’ behaviour (functionalism, Marxism, feminism)

Question 3

micro approach

Answer 3

These theories focus on small-scale, face to face interactions

for example between a teacher and pupils in a classroom (interactionism)

Question 4

consensus approach

Answer 4

Theories that see people in society as having shared interests and society functioning on the basis of there being agreement on its norms and values.

This is most associated withfunctionalism.

Question 5

Functional perequisits

Answer 5

The basic needs that must be met for a society to survive

e.g. provide food

Question 6

value consensus

Answer 6

A widespread agreement around the main values of a society

Question 7

organic analogy

Answer 7

The comparison between the working of the human body and society, with all the parts or institutions having a function and working together to maintain the system as a whole

Question 8

conflict approach

Answer 8

theories that see society as being made up of two or more groups with competing interests. The two main conflict theories are Marxism and feminism.

Question 9

bourgeoisie

Answer 9

The class that own the means of production whose primary aim is to make a profit (also called the capitalists / ruling class)

Question 10

proletariat

Answer 10

The social class of workers who have to work for wages because they do not own the means of production

Question 11

dominant ideology / ruling class ideology

Answer 11

The set of ideas and beliefs of the most powerful group in society, which influences the rest of society (e.g. that capitalism is normal and good)

Question 12

base

Answer 12

The economic base of society which is made up of the means of production and the relations of production

Question 13

superstructure

Answer 13

Includes society’s institutions such as the family, education, media which transmit the dominant ideology to the proletariat

Question 14

false consciousness

Answer 14

The inability of the proletariat to realise that they are being exploited by the bourgeoisie, because of the prevalence of the dominant ideology

Question 15

class consciousness

Answer 15

An awareness amongst the proletariat of their real interests and exploitation

Question 16

surplus value

Answer 16

The extra value added by workers to the products they produce after the payment of their wages, which goes to the employer in the form of profit

Question 17

Communism

Answer 17

An equal society in which the means of production are commonly owned by all, resulting in no social classes or class conflict

Question 18

patriarchy

Answer 18

the systems of male power and authority that operate to disadvantage women in society

Question 19

interpretivist approach

Answer 19

Theories which emphasise the action which people can take, rather than seeing them as shaped by society

Question 20

Free will

Answer 20

The idea that we can make our own choices and decisions

Question 21

Labelling

Answer 21

Refers to defining a person or group in a particular way

Question 22

deterministic

Answer 22

The idea that people’s behaviour is shaped by their social surroundings and that they have little free will or control over how they behave

Question 23

postmodernism

Answer 23

An approach that emphasises how rapidly society is changing, which leads to chaos, uncertainty, and risk

Question 24

meta narrative

Answer 24

A big theory or explanation for how societies operate e.g., Marxism is a metanarrative

Question 25

globalisation

Answer 25

The increasing interconnectedness of societies across the world

Question 26

Media-saturated

Answer 26

a society which is surrounded by messages, images, symbols and information from the mass-media