Sociological Theories Flashcards
What theory argues that society is divided along gender lines
Feminism
What theory believes that men have more dominance and power than women in society
Feminism
What are the 4 types of feminist
Radical
Marxist
Liberal
Difference
What do radical feminist focus more on
The problem of the patriarchy
What do liberal feminist focus more on
The rights of women as individuals and believes in removing all forms of discrimination
What are feminist critical about?
The traditional role of the women
What approach do Marxist feminist take?
A Marxist approach to the study of women and women’s interest
What type of theory is feminism?
A conflict theory
Two strengths of feminism
- very influential - effect role of women in today’s society
- influenced the government and the laws
What laws have been influenced by feminism
Equal Pay Act
Sex discrimination Act
One criticism of feminism
Some types of feminist have suggested things that might be unworkable
What have radical feminists suggested that might be unworkable
To stop women from sleeping with the ‘enemy’
Key words for Feminism
Radical
Liberal
Marxism
Inequality
Patriarchy
Conflict
What type of theory is Marxism
A structural and conflict theory
What do Marxist believe
That the bourgeois exploits the proletariat
Who developed the Marxist theory
Karl Marx
What did Marx believe?
That the proietariat will eventually revolt against the Bourgeois
What is false class consciousness
Where the P are brainwashed so they don’t realise how bad their own situation is
Who owns the means of production
The bourgeoise
Two strengths of the Marxism theory
- very influential in the 1960’s
* A good alternative to functionalism that actually addresses conflict
One criticisms of Marxism
•suggests we have no free will and are brainwashed into false consciousness
Key words for Marxism
Ideology
Capitalism
Means of production
Working class
Exploitation
False consciousness
Class consciousness
What is functionalism also known as
A consensus theory
What do functionalist believe
That society is a social system based on an agreement
What other theory can functionalism be related to
The organic theory
What is the organic theory
Believe that society is run like the human body -
With each part having its own equal function
What is social solidarity
A sense of belonging in a society
Who is associated with functionalism
Emilie Durkheim
One strength of functionalism
Organic analogy is useful
One criticisms of functionalism
•rose tinted view - too optimistic
What other theory’s can criticise functionalism
- feminists
* social action theory
Key words for functionalism
Consensus
Social control
Shared values/norms
Social solidarity
Organic analogy
Collective consciences
Structural
Rose tinted views
Socialisation
What does new right theory focus on
The idea of ‘shared values’ but more specific about what they are
What does new right theory highlight
The importance of family values and the responsibility of yourself
When was the new right theory developed
In the 1980’s
What type of values does the new right theory have
Victorian values
What does new right family have a big influence on
Conservative party
The government
What theory is similar to the new right theory
Functionalism
- NR was developed more recently
What are the 5 giant evils New right believe are in society
Ignorance
Want
Squalor
Disease
Idieness
Two strengths of new right theory
- has informed many government policies on welfare,education and crime
- it identifies the importance of shared moral values for society’s stability
Two criticisms of new right theory
- very ‘victim blaming’
* many people need benefits owing to their circumstances e.g. disability
Key words for New right Theory
Freedom
Nuclear families
Welfare dependency
Welfare benefits
Single parents
Underclass
Marketisation
Zero tollerance
Traditional values
What does the social action theory argue
That peoples behaviour and life chances aren’t determined by their social background
What do social action theorists emphasis
The role of individuals in shaping personal identities
Two strengths of social action theory
- interactionism can give us an insight into small scale social processes
- the theory has practical applications - labelling theory
Two criticisms of social action theory
- the theory assumes people will always live up to their label
- it may ignore the importance effects that large scale social structures and systems can have on people
Key sociologists of social Action theory
Meads
Becker
Weber
Gofmann’s
What is postmodernism
An approach that attempts to define how society has progressed to an era beyond modernity
What is a society most likely to experience in postmodern theory
A pick and mix culture - individuals will choose a religion that best suits their lifestyles
What type of structure is the postmodernism theory
A complex structure
Key postmodernists
Baudrilla
Lyotard
Key studies in social action theory
Labelling theory - Becker
What is the process of labelling
Individuals label one another The label is then picked up on This shapes the ‘self - concept’ They see themselves in terms of the label The self-fulfilling prophecy
What year was the first wave of feminism
Late 19th and early 20th century
What happened in the first wave of feminism
Women got the vote
When was the 2nd wave of feminism
1960’s and 1970’s
What happened in the second wave of feminism
Equal pay act
Abortions became legal
Sex discrimination Act
Contraceptive pill
Two strengths of postmodernism
- useful in explaining the increase of diversity
* recognises the rise of consumerism and ability of people who choose their own identities
Two criticisms of postmodernism
- fail to see that many people are not as ‘free to choose’ as they say
- fails to explain that their can still be inequality
Key words for postmodernism
Metanarrative
Globalisation
Diversity
Media saturated society
Pick ‘n’ mix
