Theories Flashcards
Action approach
Believes that individuals shape and create society, we have free will to reject socialisation
Micro (small scale) theories
- eg Action theory, labelling
Structural approach
Society controls us and social institutions constrain our behaviour
Macro (large scale) theories
- eg Marxism, Functionalism, Feminism
Functionalism (consensus theory)
Key names - Durkheim and Parsons
Believe that culture is based on shared values, we live in agreement (consensus)
Every institution serves a purpose - organismic analogy
Socialisation seen as positive process
Marxism (conflict theory)
Key names: Marx and Althusser
Believed capitalism is based on conflict of interests between rulers and workers, controlled using ideology and workers exploited, culture controlled and socialisation involves brainwashing.
Society not seen as fair
Feminism
See society as patriarchal and misogynistic, believe culture is controlled by men and socialisation reinforces the patriarchy.
Different types - liberal, black, Marxist, post feminism
Action theory (interactionism)
Believes we have free will to shape social life, can create the social world ourselves. Interested in the meanings that we give to symbols - includes ideas such as ‘labelling’ and stereotypes. Socialisation can be rejected and negotiated, and culture is created and recreated.
Structuration
Idea proposed by Giddens - suggests we are constrained by society but can also influence it
Postmodernism
1980s onwards, rejects macro structural approaches. Argues that one theory cannot explain all behaviour, globalisation and media influence dominates postmodern identities, culture is diverse, individuals can choose their own identity, socialisation is changing so agents such as media are more influential
What do Marxists believe brainwashing leads to?
False class consciousness - not being aware of our true identity as exploited workers
