Theoritical Perspectives in Sociology

Question 1

What is a Theory and list the 2 categories

Answer 1

A set of ideas that claim to explain how something works.
1. Macro Theory
2. Micro Theory

Question 2

What is a Macro Theory?

Answer 2

Applying scientific analogies to see how societal issues affect society as a whole- the society affects the individual.

Question 3

List 4 macro theories

Answer 3

1. marxism
2. functionalism
3. feminism
4. positivism

Question 4

What is a Micro Theory?

Answer 4

Focuses on how individual behaviour affects societal development without the use of scientific analogies- the individual impact society.

Question 5

list 2 micro theories

Answer 5

1. interactionalism
2. interpretivism

Question 6

What is Functionalism and what type of theory is it?

Answer 6

A Structural consensus theory that examines society as a whole entity made up of different parts that integrate smoothly with each other to create social order.

Question 7

How do functionalists view society?

Answer 7

They see it as a intertwined/interrelated system, where social agents/institutions and individuals carry out their roles and functions.

Question 8

What do Functionalists believe about behaviour within society?

Answer 8

that is structured- organized in terms of rules (values, norms, roles) that determine how people are expected to behave.

Question 9

What is functional prerequisite?

Answer 9

basic needs/requirements that must be met if they are to survive.

Question 10

Name the two sociologists who founded/pioneered functionalism, the era did they so, and where they’re from

Answer 10

1. Emile Durkheim; 19th century; France
2. Talcott Parsons; 20th century; America

Question 11

what is value consensus?

Answer 11

a general agreement about values among a society, providing a foundation for cooperation and social order and stability.

Question 12

What is Marxism and what type of theory is it?

Answer 12

a social, economic and political philosophy that analyses the impact of the ruling class on the laborers, leading to uneven distribution of wealth and privileges in the society.
it is a consensus theory.

Question 13

who is the founding father of Marxism?

Answer 13

Karl Marx, a German sociologist and economist

Question 14

List 4 things that Marxists believe

Answer 14

1. The infrastructure of society is built on an economic basis (superstructure)
2. There are only two classes in society: rich and poor.
3. The relationship between the capitalist and proletariat (working class) is based on oppression and exploitation.
4. Society suffers from false class consciousness because people appect their situation as normal/natural.

Question 15

what is feminism, and what type of theory is it?

Answer 15

a social and political movement that advocates for the rights of women on the grounds of equality of sexes

Question 16

list 3 beliefs of feminists

Answer 16

1. society is patriarchal.
2. sociology is androcentric (focused/centered on men) because it is based on the ideas of men. - malestream sociology
3. women’s position in society are the result of social (institutions and attitudes) factors, not natural or biological factors.

Question 17

list the four types of feminism

Answer 17

1. liberal
2. socialist/marxist
3. radical
4. mulitcultural

Question 18

what do liberal feminists believe?

Answer 18

it is not necessary to completely restructure society, but meaningful changes should be made to address equitable roles for women.

Question 19

what do socialist/marxist feminists believe?

Answer 19

they blame capitalists for women’s inferior position in society, their being confined to the home and providing unpaid labour, them receiving low wages

Question 20

what are 3 things radical feminists believe?

Answer 20

1. sexism and patriarchy are the reason women have an inferior position in society.
2. establishing women-centered institutions to cater to the needs of women.
3. end to heterosexual relationships.

Question 21

what is multicularist feminism?

Answer 21

this group links gender to class, race colonialism, and the exploitation of women- more popular amongst women of colour in developing countries.

Question 22

what is interactionism, and state what type of theory it is

Answer 22

a social action theory that focuses on small-scale interaction, rejecting on the notion of a social system.

Question 23

list 2 believes of interactionists.

Answer 23

1. society can be analyses and improved on a smaller scale- micro sociology, rather than on a macro level.
2. individuals interact through the use of symbols as they place meanings on objects in the environment.

Question 24

list the 4 interactionist perspectives and their founders/contributors.

Answer 24

1. symbolic (George Herbert Mead; Charles Horton Cooley)
2. Ethnomethodology (Harold Garfinkel)
3. Phenomethodology (Alfred Schutz; Edmund Husserl)
4. Dramaturgy

Question 25

List the founder and 2 cofounders of Interactionism

Answer 25

• Max Weber
  1. George Herbert Mead
  2. Erving Goffman