theroies Flashcards
describe structural theories ?
a macro approach focuses on institutions as they dictate our norms and values. society controls our actions.
describe action theories?
a micro approach which focuses on individuals and the way they interact with each other. we control society.
3-point social action summary?
.individuals act rather than react
.people make their own choices not controlled by social structures
. society is constructed from peoples meanings, interpretations, behaviours and negations
what idea do action theories reject?
they reject the idea that sociology is objective.
what do action theorists see social order as?
as a social construct, it is a product of individuals minds.
what are integrated theories?
a theory which combines structural and action theories.
who are our two intergraded theorist’s ( two A01 paragraphs)?
max weber and Giddens
what does max weber argue?
to understand how people operate you have to look at two factors-
1- what causes the behaviour
2- the meaning which they attach to that behaviour
how does weber’s study show level of cause?(evidence)
the protestant reformation brought about a new belief system, Calvinism
how does weber’s study show level of meaning? (evidence)
work took on a religious meaning for Calvinists, as they felt they could earn a place in heaven from there labour (it actually fed capitalism as the would constantly reinvest their money)
what are Weber’s four types of actions?
Instrumentally rational action- making a rational decision to achieve a goal
Value-rational action- action towards a goal for its own sake - has vaule behind it
Traditional action- routine or habit tasks
Affectual action- action that expresses emotion
name a strength of weber?
valuable corrective to the over-emphasis on structural factors which structural theories suffer from.
name 3 weaknesses of mark weber?
Schutz - Weber is too individualistic and cannot explain the shared nature of meanings
Weber’s ideas of action are too difficult to apply
Verstehen - we cannot still truly understand people’s meanings because we are not them!
what is giddens duality of structure?
structure and action ae two sides of the same coin.(one cannot exist without the other)
how does Giddens explain structuration?
our actions reproduce structures while these structures are what makes our actions possible.
according to Giddens what are the two features structure has?
rules - (laws and norms)
recourses- (both economic and power over others)
what are the two ways action can change structure ?
we reflectively monitor our actions- always reflect on our actions and the result of them.
unintended consequences - action may change structure but may not always be in the way that it was intended
name a strength of giddens ?
similar to weber- it makes a good attempt to bridge the gap between structure and action theories.
name three weaknesses of Giddens?
- archer - underestimates the capacity of structures to change through action
- craib- doesn’t explain what actually happens in society (just explains things that may be found when studying society.
-craib- doesn’t unite structure and action (assumes structures just a few rules and norms)
in integrated theories what does weber argue?
that level of cause equals level of meaning.
in integrated theories what does Giddens argue?
structure reproduces action and action changed structure.
action theories - why do we have different preconceptions and views?
our sense of reality is constructed through interactions with others.
what theory does action theory criticise?
structural theories
what is symbolic interactionalism?
how we relate to others
what does mead argue ?
-human interaction is symbolic
-our behaviour is the response to the meanings we attach to the world around us.
-animals respond to a stimulus instinctively, humans respond to stimulus but not instinctively
what is taking on the role of another?
we see ourselves and our behaviour through the eyes of others.
what did Blumer do?
he developed on meads ideas
what did Blumer argue?
- our actions are based on meanings.
- our meanings are bases on interactions with others
- our meanings are modified through interpretive process
explain the definition of the situation?
- when we define a situation, we label it
-when we define a situation as real we realise that the consequences are real.
explain the looking glass self?
-other people act as a looking glass - we see ourselves mirrored in the way that people respond.
-self full-filling prophecy occurs (we become what others see us as)
what is the ‘career’ concept?
you are labelled by society as something and therefore may never be able to escape that label.
negative label – self-concept – label reinforced – master status – deviant career
what did Goffman explain ?
the front stage vs backstage concept. we act one way in public and other way behind closed doors.
what is impression management?
we control the impression our performance gives. adjust it depending on the reactions we get.
name a strength of symbolic interactionalism?
avoids determinism - recognises that we create our own meanings.
name three weaknesses of symbolic interactionalism?
- more descriptive than expletory
- ignores structural factors like class inequality
-not all action is meaningful (weber - some behaviour preformed unconsciously)
what theory does feminism criticise?
structural theories
list key ideas of liberal feminism?
- concerned about equal rights for individuals.
-laws and polices (make legal reforms)
-culture change in society - optimistic theory
-criticizes functionalists views od gender roles
what did Anne Oakley do?
distinguished the difference between sex and gender.
sex is your biological makeup
gender is what you socially regard yourself to be
who does Anne Oakley criticise?
parsons theory of gender roles - men and women are both capable of instrumental and expressive roles
key ideas of radical feminism.
- patriarchy is universal, fundamental form of conflict, all men oppress women
-the personal is political (patriarchal oppression is direct and personal)
-change needs to occur
what did firestone argue?
-men are women’s main enemy
patriarchy is the primary and most fundamental part of all inequality and conflict.
-A02 - families - the nuclear family is the main source of oppression
explain the personal is the political?
- all relationships involve power.
-one person in the relationship will always dominate another.
-power is exercised through personal relationships (fear of rape)
-sexual politics (personal relationships are political because men dominate women through them)
what are the 3 ways radical feminists argue change?
- separatism
-consciousness-raising
-political lesbianism
what is separatism?
living apart from men and creating a new culture of female independence (alternative to nuclear family)
what is consciousness raising?
sharing ideas through women’s only consciousness-raising groups (lead to collective action)
what is political lesbianism?
lesbianism is the only form of non-oppressive sexuality. heterosexuality is sleeping with the enemy
key ideas of marxist feminism
- dismisses liberal feminists view that subordination is the product of stereotyping and outdated views
-womens subordination is rooted in capitalism
what are the two ways Marxist feminists disagree with liberal or radical feminists views ?
1- capitalism is the cause of a womens oppression (not patriarchy or gender stereotypes)
2-capitalism is the main winner from females’ oppression (not men)
what do Marxists feminists believe about women?
-they provide cheap exploited labour
-are a reserve army labour
-reproduce the labour force
-absorb anger
what does barret argue?
women marry and have families because of ideology in society from birth ‘brainwashes’ women into believing its normal
name a strength of liberal feminism?
studies conducted by liberal feminists have led to legitimation of demand for reforms in areas like qual pay
name 3 weaknesses of liberal feminism?
-Marxists and radical feminists would argue that liberal feminists fail to recognise the causes of liberal subordination
-over-optimistic - they believe that prejudices can be overcome by the onward march of progress
-ignores the possibility that there are deep-seated structures causing womens oppression
name a strength of radical feminism?
merited for the view that that intimate relationships can involve dominance
name 3 criticisms of radical feminism?
Marxists would argue that class not patriarchy is the primary form of inequality
it assumes all women are in the same position, ignores class and ethical differences
neglects violence against men and/or in lesbian relationships
name a strength of Marxism feminism?
they show greater understanding of structures than liberal feminists
name 3 weaknesses of marxist feminism?
-doesn’t explain why women in non-capitalist societies experience oppression
-fails to explain why women are expected to do the unpaid labour rather than men
-Fails to empathise how men are beneficiaries of women’s oppression
