Sociological perspectives

Question 1

What are the 2 main perspectives in sociology?

Answer 1

The structural view
The social action view

Question 2

Describe the structural view

Answer 2

Passive individuals ( ‘accepting or allowing what happens or what others do, without active response or resistance’ ) and have no control over society
This is the view that the structure of society is in complete control of our behaviour
Agents of socialisation teach us these
We are like ‘puppets on a string’ as society determines our behaviour. This is a macro approach as it focuses on society as a large scale and how it influences us.

Question 3

Describe the social action view?

Answer 3

We are active individuals and we have total control over our lives, we have free will and choice. we control our behaviour and lives, we are not puppets of society. this approach is called the micro approach because it focuses on society as a small scale ( individuals)

Question 4

How does society make us conform?

Answer 4

Laws to threat people and police, the media can show people doing what is wrong to shame them, rewards and punishment ,work to get paid ,to live.

Question 5

How do we resists society’s control?

Answer 5

Protests, riots, subcultures, committing crime, voting and petitions

Question 6

What are the two structural theories?

Answer 6

Consensus theory
Conflict theory

Question 7

What is the consensus theory?

Answer 7

the idea that society is functioning well and in harmony/agreement (functionalism)

Question 8

What is the conflict theory?

Answer 8

that there is conflict between groups of people where one group benefits more than the others ( marxism and feminism)