Sociology basics Flashcards
What is symbolic interactionalism?
A theory that focuses on interactions and relationships among individuals within a society. This theory sees people as shaping society, not the other way around.
What do functionalists believe?
That every aspect of society has a useful function.
“Rose tinted glasses” Organic analogy “society is like a human body”
What does the new right believe?
They believe in minimal government intervention and old fashioned views on things such as family, school discipline and law and order.
What do Marxists believe?
They are critical of capitalists, and evaluate the effect capitalism has on all aspects of society. They believe in a greater redistribution of wealth and the equality of the masses. Marxists are very aware of the differences between social classes.
What is feminism in sociology?
Feminists evaluate the relationship between gender and power in society.
What are conflict theories?
Sociological theories that examine structural inequalities, competition and revolution. For example Marxism and Feminism are conflict theories.
What are consensus theories?
Consensus theories believe change can be brought about through the already existing systems, even if they have failed so far.
What is ascribed identity?
Features of your identity that are assigned at birth, such as race, gender and class.
What is achieved identity?
Features of your identity that are achieve throughout your life, such as religious beliefs, relationship status and social status.
Ann Oakley argues that canalisation is a primary socialisation agent. What is canalisation?
Canalisation is how parents encourage or deter their childs behaviour depending on their gender, for example deter a boy from being a gymnast.
Ann Oakley argues that manipulation is one way we learn our primary socialisation. What is manipulation?
Reward or punish the same behaviour depending on gender.
How do agencies of socialisation (parents) pass on culture?
Unconsciously impacting the Childs speech patterns. Teaching the child morals and how to behave in public and at home. Impacting their thought process and their political view.
What socialisation do teachers provide?
How to behave around people in power. How to respect elders/ those above you. What is appropriate around those with power and what is appropriate around your peers.
How do agencies of socialisation (friends) pass on culture?
What humour is acceptable in different contexts, how to lie and behave around adults.
Who was Oxana Malaya?
She was abandoned by her alcoholic parents at the age of 3, so she went to go live with the dogs in the back garden until she was 8, which made have dog mannerisms and behaviours.
What is labelling?
Attaching an idea, meaning or definition to someone.
What is the self fulfilling prophecy?
A student is given a label by a teacher, the teacher behaves differently around the student, the student starts to believe and act how the teacher thinks they do. This can affect grades.
In sociology, there are two branches of theories, structural and action theories. In which do consensus, conflict and symbolic interactionalism theories fit?
Consensus theory (Functionalism) fits into structural theory, as does conflict theory (Marxism and Feminism). Symbolic interactionalism is an action (interpretavist) theory.
What do Symbolic Interactionalists believe about society that structural theorists disagree with?
That we control society, not the other way around.
What is anomie?
When society goes wrong / fails.
Which functionalist compared society to a human body?
Comte (pronounced Komt)
