Sociological Theory - Postmodernism Flashcards
What is postmodernism?
Refers to the state of culture where media is produced in such staggering quantities that is has crossed the boundaries into reality itself & hyperreality prevails
What is modernity?
Refers to a period of time starting with the European industrial revolution associated with industrial production,urban living & rationality thinking (science). Sociology was born & people had to adjust to different lifestyles, work & different kinds of relationships within the family & community
What is postmodernity?
An approach which stresses that society is changing so rapidly & constantly that it is marked my chaos & uncertainty. It is a result of globalisation as social structures are being broken down & replaced by a range of different constantly changing social relationships.
It makes it so society cant longer be understood by the ‘big theories’ (functionalism/marxism) as they explain society as a whole fragmented into many groups which are chaotic & constantly changing
SOCIOLOGIST: What does Steve Taylor say about postmodernism?
It’s a result of meta narratives (functionalism/marxism) have become redundant because ‘knowledge is now judged in terms of its usefulness rather than claims to be true’. Sociologists can no longer make judgments/claims to know what’s best for society.
SOCIOLOGIST: What does Baudrillard say about postmodernism?
He says that the post modern age is a world where people respond to media images rather than real people/places (e.g. princess Diana’s death) so separating out reality from representation has become impossible when all thats exists is ‘hypereality’
What are the features of postmodernity?
Increased diversity & choice - ‘pick & mix’ culture
Greater tolerance of ‘others’ & individual life choices
Increased hybridity - merging of cultures & development of new ones (e.g. subcultures in schools)
Influence of globalisation - on crime/education/family/culture & identity/the media/religion & beliefs
What can postmodernism not be labelled as?
A structural/action theory
A micro/macro theory
A conflict/consensus theory
(ALL LINKED WITH MODERNITY)
AO3: What are the criticisms of postmodernism?
Social surveys indicate that people still see social class as a strong influence over their lives
Ignores power structures in society
Nature of your consumption still depends on your income - generally determined by occupation & social class (social constraint)
Gender & ethnicity still hinder our choices (patriarchy & racist institutions)
Some sociologists believe we have moved into late modernity instead of
