theory questions Flashcards
What is a structural theory?
The school of thought that human behaviour must be understood in the context of the social system
What is meant by the terms ‘macro theory’ and ‘top down’?
Macro theory - sociological approaches and methods that examine large-scale patterns and trends
Top down - Individuals are the product of social structures and socialisation.
What is the difference between structure and agency?
Structure is the recurrent patterned arrangements which influence or limit the choices and opportunities available whereas agency is the capacity of individuals to act independently and to make their own free choices.
How do societies change according to parsons?
The various parts of societies become more differentiated, with these parts adapting to new needs and problems as society works like the human body
What is the organic analogy?
It is used by Durkheim in his functionalist theory of society and the way in which it functions. Society functions much like the body, it is an organic system that is self maintained and self supporting and helps in maintaining other aspects of society.
Criticisms of functionalism
Internal - they tend to focus on social stability and order while neglecting social change and they rarely consider power dynamics and inequalities within society
External - They fail to address the issue of social conflict and inequality and they have a tendency to legitimise and uphold existing power structures.
What is historic materialism?
A theory on human society and history that states that thoughts and social institutions develop only as a superstructure founded on an economic base.
What is class polarisation?
The historical process of the class structure becoming increasingly polarised, pushed to two ends with nothing in the middle.
Three criticisms of Marxism
The class structure today is more complex.
False consciousness is a problem concept in postmodern society.
The revolution that he said would cause the development of a communist society has yet to occur.
Humanistic Marxism and traditional Marxism - the difference
Humanistic Marxists see humans as creative beings, able to make history through their conscious actions, for Traditional Marxists, it is social structures that shape human action.
Criticisms of humanistic Marxism
They don’t recognise the fundamental dichotomy between the theory of the “Young Marx” and that of the “Mature Marx”
They are under-emphasising the role of coercive political and economic forces in holding back the formation of a counter-hegemonic bloc
Althusser’s criticism of Marxism
Marx claims there are only two levels in society - the infra-structure and the super-structure. However, Althusser claims there are three levels - the economic level, the political level and the ideological level, all of which reject the Marxist theory.
Criticisms of structural Marxism
They have a deterministic view of society and they neglect the the importance of cultural and ideological factors.
