Sociological Theory Flashcards
Functionalist concepts
Consensus theory Organic analogy Value consensus Social solidarity Meritocracy Social mobility Stratification Division of labour Functional importance
Functionalism 3 key ideas
Society is like a human body- the organic analogy
- institutions like body parts that work together to maintain social order
Everyone in society has the same norms and values- value consensus
Everything in society has a function
- social solidarity (togetherness)
Functionalism AO3 evaluation
Politics- riots, protests Natural disasters Crime War Injustice Inequality Ignores conflict Rose tinted view of society Ignore norms and values change over time Class, gender, race etc can impact quality of life (not meritocratic
Functionalism explaining inequality
Inevitable and justified
All roles need to be filled
Role allocation
Higher status roles you need to work harder for- meritocratic
Why functionalism is good
Encourages meritocracy and hard work
Clear structure of society (social order
Marxism concepts
Infrastructure Superstructure Capitalism Bourgeoisie Proletariat Exploitation Alienation False class consciousness Ruling class ideology Neo Marxism
Infrastructure and super structure
Infrastructure is the economic base, which influences and shapes the rest of sociology (ie the superstructure: institutions)
Infrastructure controls messages and values (dominant ideology)
Superstructure learns those values which keep base in power
Alienation and why is it important
No job satisfaction, disengaged and monotonous Keeps proletariat uncritical so B remain in power (false class consciousness)
Marxism term for profit
Surplus value
Marxism AO3 evaluate
Reductionist, more than 2 classes and doesn’t take into account ethnicity, gender etc
Post modern approach- people now look for creative workers, not unimaginative unquestioning work force anymore
Strengths Marxism
Acknowledges inequality Richest 1% own 21% of wealth Raising awareness of exploitation Offers a solution Public schools and old boys network shows privilege of B
Marxism view of inequality
Highly critical and find it unfair
Blame capitalism as gives B too much power
Pluralism summary
No one group in too much power. Power in democratic free market societies is diverse in competing groups. Media works in supply and demand form in order to make profit so the people are in control of the ideology. Consumer control through free choice
Weberian concepts
Class Status Party Fragmentation Dual labour market Embourgeoisement
Interactionism concepts
Labelling Self fulfilling prophecy Moral panic Deviancy amplification Folk devil
Feminist concepts
Patriarchy First/second/third wave feminism Radical feminism Marxist feminism Reserve army of labour Liberal feminism Black feminism Doubly disadvantaged Triple systems theory Post feminism Six structures of patriarchy Preference theory
Liberal feminism
Least radical
Differences in gender due to socialisation
Fix through educating in equal potential
Equality of opportunity
Law focused
Radical feminism
Extreme views
Men dominate and oppress women
Women are exploited for the benefit of men
Domestic violence, marital rape, pornography and sex trafficking
Women need to separate themselves completely from male domination
Marxism feminism
Role of capitalism and patriarchy
Women exploited and paid less than men for their labour
Women hold less power in capitalist societies
Black feminism
White feminists have ignored ethnic minority women
Doubly disadvantaged- racism & patriarchy
Concerned with issues that may effect particular backgrounds eg. Forced marriage
Post feminism
Challenges assumptions around gender indentures
Women and men can choose identity
Experience of women varies to class, ethnicity etc
Complex range of factors including their own choices
AO3 feminism evaluate
Second wave feminism ignored range of issues like ethnicity
Many gender roles have been abolished and challenged (integrated conjugal roles)
Significant progress in eyes of the law
More relevant in third world countries
Radical feminism can exclude men
Postmodernist concepts
Globalisation Popular culture Multiculturalism Consumer culture Super rich New working class Global culture Hybridity Individualisation Risk society
Postmodernism AO3 evaluation
Exaggerates change, ignores impact of racism, sexism etc
Sugar coats society
Pressure from society to be a certain way still exists
Marxism explains changes in society so these ideas aren’t new
Global cultures haven’t always taken over- local traditions
