Sociological Theories Flashcards
what is a theory
A set of ideas that claim to explain something
What is a sociological theory
An explanation of how people behave and why
What are social institutions
Various social arrangements which are found in all societies
Examples of social intsitutions
-the education system
-the family
-the legal system
How do institutions constrain or guide people in society
Religious institutions: say to not have sex outside of marriage
How does the structural theory see us?
Sees is entirely shaped by the structure of society & sees us as behaving according to society’s norms & expectations
How does the social action theory see us
Sees us having free will and Choice, we have agency.
What’s was the enlightenment
The current of thought stressing the power of human reason saying that science can explain everything and there is no need to rely on religious beliefs
How do functionalists see us?
Sees society as based on a basic consensus/agreement among the members of a society about its values, goals and rules
What are macro level theories
Relate to large scale issues & large groups of people
What are micro level theories
Look at specific relationships between individuals or small groups
Why is socialization important
Because it leads to consensus
How does functionalism see society
As made up of different parts that interlock& fit together (like the human body)
Describe the organic analogy
societies & bodies are systems of interrelated, independent parts. organism& society have needs for them to survive
What is the AGIL model
-Adaption: system has to adapt to environment
-Goal attainment: society needs to set goals
-Integration: produced through education,media & religion to pursue shared goals
-Latency: institution that maintain society’s basic pattern of values over time
What is social control
When Positive sanctions reward conformity while negative ones punish deviance
What does parsons say about social order
Argues that it’s achieved through the existence of a shared culture
What is a culture
A set of normals, values, beliefs & goals shared by members of a society
What is the basic function of value consensus
To make social order possible by integrating individuals into the system
An internal critique of functionalism
Indispensability:
Merton argues that there might be alternative institutions that meet the same functions as religion.
What are manifest functions & give example
Manifest functions are the positive functions intended & recognized by participants in the system
Eg: manifest function for going on holiday is to release stress ad relax
What are latent functions and give example
Latent functions promote a sense of solidarity in times of hardship
Eg: the latent function for going on holiday is to explore the countries culture
Give an external critique of functionalism
Marxists argue that society is not a harmonious whole and that stability is the result of exploitation of one class by another by using coercion or ideological manipulation.
