theories Flashcards
1
Q
what are the similarities and differences between structural and social action theories?
A
differences
- structural is a top down approach while action theory is a bottoms up approach
- structural is macro meaning it looks at the bigger picture while action focuses on the micro lieo how people interact
- structural likes quantities data while action theory likes qualitative data
- structural theory believes that institutions and structures shape and determine he behaviour of individuals while action theory believes that individuals shape society through choices and meanings
- structural theory is deterministic while action theory is voluntaristic
similarities
- Both of them believe that the society is performing some basic, functional role in human life, whether it is to protect individuals from each other or to prevent harm from outside forces.
- They acknowledge the need for societies and examine the complex dynamic between individuals and groups.
2
Q
what are the similarities and differences between conflict and consensus theories?
A
differences
- The consensus theory emphasizes that the necessity of shared norms and belief systems of people to maintain social order.
- consensus theory do not pay a lot of attention to social change and consider it to be a slow process.
- consensus theory emphasize the integration of values.
- consensus theory thinks if an individual goes against the accepted code of conduct, he or she is considered as deviant.
- Conflict theory highlights that the society and social order are controlled by the powerful and the dominant groups of society.
- Conflict theory emphasize the existence of a clash in interests among different groups in society.
- Conflict theory reject the beliefs of consensus, shared norms and values.
similarities
- both are macro theories - focuses on how institutions and structures control society and how that affects and influences society
- both talk about how socialisation and how we are socialised into different roles in society eg men and women or working class and upper class
- both are structural theories
- both talk about social order
3
Q
what are the key idea of functionalism?
A
- everything has a function in society
- everyone works in harmony together -like a body everyone must work in harmony with their roles to keep society running and keep society from not falling into a state of anomie
- everyone shares the same norms and values in a society - This value consensus enables people to co-operate and to work together to achieve shared goals.
- believes institutions perform positive functions - like school teach children what right in wrong in society so society can achieve consensus
- individuals are shaped by society
4
Q
what are the strengths of functionalism?
A
- explains how society minimises conflict through socialization and social control
- explains how different parts of the social system function to maintain the whole
- shows how society adapts to overcome economic and other changes
- shows how different institutions operate in complementary manner to produce overall social stability
- shows the importance of shared culture as the basis of social order
5
Q
what are the weaknesses of functionalism?
A
- conflicting interests are being hidden ideological manipulation
- the whole that is being maintained is capitalism which is a socially and economically unjust society
- economic changes are caused by the internal contradictions of the present social order; this is why capitalism is doomed
- social stability is based on false consciousness created by institutions like the nuclear family, education, legal and political systems
- culture is treated as though it is an undifferentiated ‘glue’ that everyone shares and which produces harmony; even the functionalist Merton recognised that sharing cultural values could lead to conflict)
- it is determinist
- it doesn’t give sufficient weight to human agency
- it is, in effect, an ideological defence of the status quo regarding who has power and who doesn’t
6
Q
what are the key ideas of feminism?
A
- They believe that men have power over women due to the patriarchy, but want to change this and make women have equal power to men
- It is a structural theory – takes a macro look at society – individuals are affected by the institutions and structures in society like the patriarchy
- focuses on wider social influences and trends that tend to see quantitative (number facts) data used to show trends in pay gaps
etc. - Inequality between men and women is universal and the most significant form of inequality
- Gender norms are socially constructed not determined by biology and can thus be changed.
- Patriarchy is the main cause of gender inequality – women are subordinate because men have more power.
- wants to fight against gender roles as they help oppress women - housewife, weak, submissive
- focuses in the conflict between men and women in society
7
Q
what are the strengths of feminism?
A
- Good at explaining the reason behind gender inequalities in society
- Good at explaining the patriarchal nature of society
- Good at explaining bias in law formation and implementation
- Good at explaining conflict in society based on gender
- Good at explaining male stream sociology (mainstream and usual, from the point of view of the man, without regard to gender). - still relevant today
8
Q
what are the weaknesses of feminism?
A
- Not good at explaining reasons for inequality other than gender - focuses too much on gender
- Not good at explaining inequalities experienced by men
- Some people think feminists may want more rights for women than men, feminism is supposed to be about equality
- It is a biased view against men. Some men do not exploit women and see themselves as feminist
- May be out of date as there are now a range of gender identities – not just two
9
Q
what are the key ideas of Marxism?
A
Marxism is a structural theory which means it believes structures and institutions affect the individuals within a society
It is a conflict theory – there is conflict between the working classes and the ruling classes (the bourgeoisie)
The ruling class exploit the working class because most of the profits made by the workers go to the ruling classes
There needs to be a revolution to overthrow the ruling classes so that workers can benefit from their labour
All societies based on class divisions between those who benefit from the economic system and those who do not
Capitalist societies (like UK and US) are divided into two classes:
- The ruling class
- The working class
Capitalism is an unequal and exploitative system
10
Q
what are the strengths of Marxism?
A
-Upholds the principle of equality and dignity
Exposes injustice
- Explains class inequalities (health, crime, education)
- Good at explaining conflict & change
- Explains why there is an uneven distribution of power & wealth
11
Q
what are the weaknesses of Marxism?
A
Ignores other aspects that contribute to inequality eg gender, race
In practice can lead to state tyranny where it is easy to suppress individual freedoms (Marx envisioned this to be temporary but his utopia has never occurred
Communism doesn’t work in the real world – humans are narurally greedy & selfish
12
Q
what are the key ideas of symbolic interactionalism?
A
- is a macro theory and focuses on how people interact in society
- uses qualitative data as it gives more in depth and personal data back compared to numbers
- people do not feel that they are being controlled all of the time – they generally feel free to make their own decisions
- view people in society as actors and believe that we shape society
- People learn from their interactions with others – we develop a stock of knowledge about what is appropriate behaviour in various situations.
- people interpret the social world around them, but also that how they do so is influenced by the way that they interact with other people.
- we as people interact through symbols like thumbs up meaning good or wink as flirting with someone
- we as people as take on roles we are given in society like mother or daughter and we adapt these roles throughout life when we need too, this is called role taking
13
Q
what are the strengths of symbolic interactionism?
A
- It takes account of the role of human agency (so the fact that individuals can make decisions for themselves and can impact on other people’s lives)
- Good at explaining the small scale interactions of life.
- It is important in explaining the meaning and motives attached to social behaviour and the interpretation of social behaviour by others
14
Q
what are the weaknesses of symbolic interactionism?
A
- Analysis tends to be of individuals or groups and so overlooks wider social forces, or the use of power in society.
- Tends to lack historical perspective – can only really study in the moment, rather than the development of society.
- Emphasises meaning without truly investigating the origins of those meanings.
- Can be seen as subjective (so different from the perspective of each human being – does not really explain much in terms of the group, or may only apply to one society – modern Western society)
15
Q
what are the key ideas of weberism?
A
- seen as a bridge between structural and action theory
- verstehn means understanding in German - Deep empathetic understanding - To see the world as others see it
- protestant worl ethics - weberism believes that capitalism came around due to a religious movement not from class struggle, protestants have a branch called calvinists who believed that some people had a place in heaven and that actively contributing to there community through hard work was a sign that they were one of the chosen therefore starting capitalist society.
