theories Flashcards
functionalist sociologists
parsons
durkhiem
all functionalists
parsons
functionalist
organic analogy - society works like a human body
institutions - religion, education, media, gov
if one of the institutions stops working society will suffer
synoptic links- family - provides primary sociolisation, education - provides secondary education
evaluation - not all institutions work together some institutions have functional automony
durkheim
functionalist
in order for society to work there must be state of social order
- value consensus
- social solidarity
- harminous society
synoptic links - willis study - 12 lads - overthrew social order
evaluation - not all members follow value consensus (synoptic link)
all functionalist 1
study from a macro perspective
institutions shape individuals
synoptic links - education - education acts as a bridge from family and work life
evaluation - labelling theories argue that it is better to look at society using a micro perspective
all functionalists 2
latent functions
functionalism is useful for looking for positive functions in society that arent obvious.
synoptic links - functionalists are able to point out that crime is positive ( boundary maintenance)
evaluation - ignores the blatent functions. doesnt tell us where the institutions come from in the first place, functionalism can be telological.
New right general
Society has deteriorated and society is no longer in a state of social order
Synoptic link - Murray - as a result of overgenerous welfare state it has caused the increase in single parents
Evaluation - feminists argue that the new right theorists are trying to reinforce patriarchy by suggesting that society goes back to traditional roots
Marx 1
Economic determinism – the bourgeoisie determines everything else that happens in society – base superstructure model - The bourgeoisie are at the top of Capatilist society so they rule over everyone else
Evaluation – micro sociologists believe that society works the other way round, the individuals control institutions
Marx 2
False class consciousness – the proletariat are unaware that they’re being exploited – Institutions help spread false class consciousness months of proletariat
Synoptic link – education teachers the hidden curriculum and religion teaches you to accept your place in society
Evaluation – neo-Marxists argue there is a growth of Class consciousness in society ( willis and 12 lads )
Marx 3
 communist revolution is needed to deal with the problems of capitalism this means that the proletariat game class consciousness and rebel against the bourgeoisie
 evaluation – communism does not work for example people become greedy and the system becomes corrupt and they lose the incentive to work hard
Sommerville and wilkinson
Liberal feminism
Society has now become less patriarchal there has been a Genderquake which is a shakeup of gender in society therefore we now see far more women in senior roles than ever before
Evaluation – still some areas of society that are very patriarchal for example religion and Catholicism
Ansley
Marxist fem
Capitalism reinforces patriarchy and the proletariat females are left to suffer
Synoptic link – the studies of families suggests that women are the takers of shit
Evaluation – patriarchy still exists in non-capitalist countries and in Adlers Liberation thesis women are benefiting from the capitalist society women in the top job rows can use their position to commit crime
Greer
Rad fem
Women who are forced into heterosexuality when in reality women would be far happier in homosexual relationships woman should aim for separatism. Political feminism is the idea of feminists forming a political party which tries to put these ideas into place
Synoptic link – Dunne and her study of the 37 lesbian couples were found to be more symmetrical
Evaluation – they failed to acknowledge how the position human has improved and the idea of separatism is unrealistic
Difference feminism
Women experience patriarchy but experience patriarchy in different ways it should be studied alongside patriarchy in order to get a complete understanding – Intersectionality
Evaluation – it does not matter if you’re black or white, working-class or middle-class it is simply being a woman that is all that matters as patriarchy is patriarchy
Mead
Social action theory
Humans go through the interpretive phase where social order is maintained because humans have the ability to interpret situations and then act accordingly
Evaluation – macro theories like Marxism argue that human response is based on how we have been trying to respond. Humans do not actually have free will
Cooley
Social action theory
Looking glass self – when we know what type of person we are by looking at how others react to us. This can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy
Evaluation – not all people fulfil their prophecy some people actually reject their labels – self rejecting prophecy
Goffman
Social action theory
Impression management – is when people change the way they behave in front of others for example people flick from being on stage ( putting a face on ) to off stage ( feeling relaxed and comfortable ) Society works because well in public to act normal (on stage)
Evaluation – hard to distinguish when a person is on or off stage
Garfinkel
Social action theory
Indexixality - when people are unclear of the situation
Reflexivity- when people discuss the Unclear situation until it becomes clear
This most important thing in society is to speak the same language so that they can make sense of situations
Evaluation – language is key to society working however he fails to realise that having a shared language is only possible if institutions like family teach us language
Baudrillard 1
Postmodernism
Collectivism has been replaced by individualism. Individuals now care more about themselves and society. People pick and mix their identities People no longer form groups based on things like their social class. Institutions help spread false class consciousness amongst the proletariat
Evaluation – collectivism does still exist in society today e g malinowski’s point about people still using religious funerals
Baudrillard 2
Postmodernism
Hyperreality – people can no longer distinguish between the media world and the real world.
Evaluation – although technology has improved society it has not changed society that much things like television can aid our real world experience
Lyotard
Postmodernism
Society has changed so much that our traditional theories such as functionalism, Marxism, feminism are no longer useful. These theories are all metanarratives meaning they try to explain society with one idea but it can’t be explained like this
EValuation – Oh theories can still be of use for example nuclear families are still coming according to Chester so old theories of the family are still useful
Liberal feminism
Sociology and social policy
Early government policies promoted patriarchy now the government is listening to the idea of liberal feminism therefore there are policies that now support women
 synoptic link – for example divorce act, equal pay act
Evaluation – radical feminists reject the view that these changes in law can liberate women radical feminists argue that reformist Nature of liberal feminist is too soft and a revolutionary approach is needed
Marxist
Sociology and social policy
Government policies are only there to benefit the bourgeoisie for example the NHS is only there to ensure that the working class are well enough to return to work
Evaluation – social Democrats argue that some policies to benefit the poor for example benefits
Functionalism
Sociology And social policy
Functionalists argue that policies that I’m not improve in society for example the Butler act was put in place to make sure that every single child received a secondary education
Evaluation – Marxists argue that functionalists of spiritless technicians
New right
Sociology and social policy
They have had some impact on government policies like marriage tax allowance and policies on crime. The government should not be involved in peoples lives to prevent society becoming reliant on the government
Evaluation – post-modernists argue that the new rights want to revert back to tradition but society has now changed far too much for that to happen
