Sociological Theories

Question 1

What are the core beliefs and ideas that Functionalism has?

Answer 1

• institutions must pass down norms and values to help us act appropriately in society.
• society must work together to function (in harmony)
• socialisation of shared culture, without this, society will not function.
• CONSENSUS theory = everyone in agreement
• ORGANIC ANALOGY = society is like a human body, with family being the heart, if institutions fail, society will become ill.

Question 2

What are 4 criticisms of Functionalism?

Answer 2

1= ignores dark-side, too idealistic/rose-tinted.
2= ignores the victims of crime.
3=too deterministic, ignores free-will.
4=outdated, doesn’t always apply to society now.

Question 3

Do Functionalists see society positively or negatively?

Answer 3

Too POSITIVELY

Question 4

The core beliefs Marxists have (MARXISM)

Answer 4

• conflict theory, everyone is in disagreement.
• social class inequality, caused by CAPITALISM
• institutions control us, and maintain inequality by passing down capitalist norms and values (socialisation)
• capitalism = EXPLOITATION
• the Bourgeoisie exploit the Proletariat (pay,conditions)
• unfair society, if workers united with an uprising, then society would become COMMUNIST

Question 5

Do Marxists view society as positive or negative.

Answer 5

Negative

Question 6

What are 3 criticisms of Marxism?

Answer 6

1= only look at negatives
2=too deterministic
3=outdated, more support, change in social class.

Question 7

What are the key beliefs of Feminists?

Answer 7

• inequality of genders
• women exploited by men
• PATRIARCHAL society (ruled by men)
• institutions control us and pass down patriarchal norms and values to maintain inequality.

Question 8

What are the 4 types of Feminists?

Answer 8

1= LIBERAL, want equality for all
2= RADICAL ,men are enemy
3= MARXISM, capitalism to blame
4= DIFFERENCE, women experience oppression differently

Question 9

What are the core beliefs about New Right?

Particular Britain?

Answer 9

• very traditional beliefs
• UK= nanny state, reliant on welfare state, lost independence, work ethic + self-sufficiency
• underclass, those who choose not to work and use welfare state
• culture of dependency, unemployment + financial support = choice

Question 10

What do New Rights want?

Answer 10

they want morality and principles to be restored within society

Question 11

Who do the New Rights work with and what do they do to these?

Answer 11

• work with the Conservative Government

- influence/shape social policies

Question 12

What are the postmodernist’s views on society?

Answer 12

• society= diverse, fluid and chaotic
• people’s identity= not fixed/stable, no more traditional constraints
• people can pick and mix lifestyle
• people have free will to define own reality
• media saturation- society dominated by power of digital info.
• world of danger
• changing gender behaviour
• styles, cultures and nations fuse to make ‘hybrids.’