Sociological Theories Flashcards
Anomie
Durkheim’s term for a state of moral confusion in society, resulting from an absence of the value consensus. Anomie or normlessness is a state that is typical for societies undergoing change
Alienation
Having no control over the products of your work and becoming detached from yourself and society as a result (used by the Bourgeoisie)
Consensus
Fundamental agreement within a society, regarding basic values .
Censorship
The control of the media through banning certain works, scenes, images or language from being broadcast-ed or published.
Collective consciousness
The shared values and norms that hold society together.
Falsification
Proving a hypothesis wrong
False consciousness
Marxism says that workers are in a state of false class consciousness about their place in society.
ISA
Institutions like religion, education and the media. Can spread the ideology of the state.
Hyper-reality
Postmodernism: Where people are unable to tell the difference between reality and representations of reality.
Marginalisation
When an individual or group is isolated from mainstream society.
Meta narrative
An overarching all encompassing story, e.g. Functionalism or Marxism
Stratification
The way society is divided up in to layers, which form a hierarchy
Status Frustration
When cultural deprivation limits a persons opportunities to take part in mainstream society, causing them to feel unhappy with their social position
Superstructure
The superstructure is the institutions in society which aren’t economic. It had a role in maintaining and sustaining the economic infrastructure.
Underclass
A social group at the bottom of the social hierarchy, New Right argue that they’re lazy and dependent on welfare.
