sociological theory Flashcards
what are sociological theories and what is it used for
- Explanations for various social patterns within society (Korgen and Atkinson, 2023) - analyzes society, individuals, and social structures
- used to explain patterns of behavior - a way to apply logic to a pattern of facts, to structure the way we think about our subject matter, and to help us generate ideas for research to enrich that understanding (Cohen 2024)
what do social scientists use social theory to understand
- How has society changed, evolved, or developed?
- What are the key questions that social theorists need to ask themselves about the social world?
- What is the relationship of individuals to social structures (i.e., the economy)?
- Are there different perspectives about the social world?
- How does social change occur?
why did Social Theory develop
because of many changes in the social world including:
- THE ENLIGHTENMENT
- CIVIL SOCIETY
- THE DEVELOPMENT OF REASON
- THE RISE OF SCIENCE
explain the ‘enlightenment’ reason for the development of social theory
- Freedom of expression and the development of independent thinking
- Religion is no longer used to explain all occurrences in the social world
- A focus on intellectual development
explain the ‘civil society’ reason for the development of social theory
- Common interests; collective thinking
- Open spaces of debate free from government control
explain the ‘development of reason’ reason for the development of social theory
- An emphasis on questioning
- The rapid pace of the modern world enabled a critical mass of literate citizens to think about the economic, political, and cultural conditions that shaped society (the development of theory)
explain the ‘rise of science’ reason for the development of social theory
- Society could be the subject of scientific examination in the same manner that the natural world was studied
- Society could be subjected to the same methods and rigorous research that was utilized in physics, biology, and chemistry
what has led to the development of social theory
The industrial revolution (late 1700s)
- Societies shifted from agrarian based to industrial based societies
what did the shift of societies from agrarian based to industrial based lead to (industrial revolution)
- Economic development
- Shifting roles for individuals
- More contact between people
- Urbanization
- Shifting ideas about religion, science, technology, and individuals
what else does Theory also concern itself with
centrally important social issues - For example:
- Parenting, Socialization, the Family
- Technology
- Education
- Wealth and Poverty
- Race, Gender, Sexuality
- Crime and Deviance
what are the 3 main theoretical perspectives
- structural functionalism (theoretical perspective)
- conflict perspectives (conflict theory)
- symbolic interactionism (consensus theory)
what is structural functionalism (theoretical perspective)
- TP = A framework that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability
- MACRO – LEVEL
- consensus theory - Concerned with broad patterns that shape society
- SF = Individuals work together for the larger society’s interests due to social solidarity
- Institutions teach individuals to help society function smoothly
explain social solidarity in social functionalism
- SS = The cohesion of social groups
- DURKHEIM theories that:
-Social integration is rooted in a shared moral code (think shared norms) - This moral code forms the basis of societies
-The Division of Labor and the Economic System
mechanical vs organic solidarity
MS = Sameness e.g. feel connected due to attending the same uni – same experiences
OS = Interdependence
explain social institutions in social functionalism
SI = Sets of statuses and roles focused around one central aspect of society - have functions:
- Manifest functions = Obvious, stated reasons that a social institution exists (Institutions can have more than one manifest function) e.g. schools to educate kids
- Latent functions = Good or useful things that a social institution does but are not the institution’s reason for existing e.g. kids in school gives parents the chance to go to work