sociological theories Flashcards
Name the five main sociological theories
Modernists
Post-modernists
Late modernists
Structural
Social action
Where did Modernist theories emerge from and definition (include which century)
Enlightenment - scientific and rational ways of thinking developed to improve society
18th century
When was the birth of sociology?
What occurred at a similar time?
19th century
Industrialisation
What is a structural theory?
believe structures in society determine behaviour
What are the three structural theories?
Functionalism
Marxism
Feminism
What type of theory is functionalism?
consensus
What type of theory are feminism and marxism
conflict
What is the social action theory
believe individuals have free will and can shape society
What is labelling also known as to social action theorists?
symbolic interactionism
What do post-modernists believe?
society is now too complex to be predictable mainly due to globalisation
other theories are outdated and useless
What do late modernists believe?
believe there has been a change in society but it still has structure that dictates behaviour
