Topics In Sociology (Paper 2)

Question 1

What did Durkheim say about society?

Answer 1

It is made up of various institutions, each of which has a useful function

Question 2

What do Functionalists look at?

Answer 2

How society is structured, how institutions in society work, and how they affect individuals

Question 3

What do Functionalists believe?

Answer 3

The institutions of society are structured to allow society to function as smoothly as possible

Question 4

What are 2 strengths of Functionalism?

Answer 4

• Recognises the institutions in society work together in harmony
• Recognises consensus in society

Question 5

What are 2 weaknesses of Functionalism?

Answer 5

• Interactionists argue that Functionalism doesn’t recognise the individual’s role in society
• Marxists argue that Functionalism doesn’t recognise unequal power in society

Question 6

What is the Organic analogy?

Answer 6

The idea that if all of the systems (organs) in society are functioning in harmony it will remain health

Question 7

What did Karl Marx believe?

Answer 7

That society was divided into two classes:
- The ruling class (bourgeoise)
- The working class (proletariat)
He believed there was a conflict between these two classes

Question 8

What does Marxism say about society?

Answer 8

In capitalist society, workers are employed to produce goods which are sold by their employers for profit.
The working class are suppressed and exploited by the ruling class

Question 9

What is 1 strength of Marxism?

Answer 9

• It recognises the negative impact caused by inequality between social classes

Question 10

What is a weakness of Marxism?

Answer 10

• There are other forms of inequality within society which also create disadvantage

Question 11

What do Feminists believe?

Answer 11

Society is patriarchal and things are done in men’s best interests

Question 12

What do Liberal Feminists believe?

Answer 12

They want equal rights and opportunities for women. They believe that changes in social policy can bring about equality.

Question 13

What do Marxist Feminists believe?

Answer 13

Women are exploited by capitalist society, which is run by men

Question 14

What do Radical Feminists believe?

Answer 14

Society is structured to oppress women, and society needs to change. There is an imbalance of power in relationships and women are always expected to be subservient to men.

Question 15

What is a strength of Feminism?

Answer 15

• It has highlighted the inequalities that exist within society

Question 16

What are 2 weaknesses of Feminism?

Answer 16

• Radical Feminists don’t view the role of wife and mother as fulfilling, which it is for many women
• There are other types of inequality in society which are equally important

Question 17

What do Interactionists believe?

Answer 17

The behaviour of and interaction between individuals determines how society works.

Question 18

What do Interactionists say?

Answer 18

Each of us responds to social structures in their own way. We aren’t just products of socialisation - we have free will and make choices

Question 19

What is a strength of Interactionism?

Answer 19

• Recognise that individual choice/ preference does exist and people are not simply pre - determined

Question 20

What are 2 weaknesses of Interactionism?

Answer 20

• Functionalists argue that they don’t see the importance in the role of socialisation
• Marxists argue that they don’t pay enough attention to conflict, as some social groups are more powerful than others

Question 21

What do the New Right believe?

Answer 21

Build on functionalism, believing that society needs values and institutions to maintain social order. They focus on the family, education, and welfare

Question 22

What do the New Right say about family?

Answer 22

The nuclear family is the most important social institution. They believe that traditional roles are crucial to maintaining social order.

Question 23

What did Charles Murray argue?

Answer 23

The traditional family is under threat which has led to a decline in moral standards.

Question 24

What is a strength of the New Right?

Answer 24

• They recognise the importance of socialisation within the family

Question 25

What is a weakness of the New Right?

Answer 25

• Feminists criticise the New Right as they view traditional roles as oppressive to women and reinforcing a patriarchal society.

Question 26

What do Post Modernists say about society?

Answer 26

It is no longer ordered and structured in the same way. Society is more flexible and there’s more choice in lifestyle and culture due to globalisation

Question 27

What are 2 strengths of Post Modernism?

Answer 27

• Recognises that society has changed and is constantly changing
• Recognises the importance of individual choice and freedom

Question 28

What are 3 weaknesses of Post Modernism?

Answer 28

• Marxists argue that Post Modernism ignores inequality
• Feminists say the impact of patriarchy is overlooked
• Functionalists argue that Post modernism ignores the importance of institutions

Question 29

What is the definition of Culture?

Answer 29

A set of shared norms and values, customs and behaviour of a particular society

Question 30

What is the Interactionist view of the family?

Answer 30

Each member may interpret their roles and ideas about family differently. Each family negotiates their roles rather than having s role determined by society. We should avoid making generalisations about family life because every family is different.

Question 31

What did Berg and Kellner say about married couples?

Answer 31

Married couples must come to a shared view of the world and negotiate their roles within the marriage or get a divorce (Interactionism)

Question 32

What did Backett say about parenting?

Answer 32

Parents must learn to cope as parents by reviewing what it means to be a parent and interpreting their child’s behaviour (Interactionism)

Question 33

What is the view of Personal Life perspective?

Answer 33

The thing that matters is the individual’s point of view and the meaning they give their relationships

Question 34

What does Personal Life Perspective say about the Structuralist view of the family?

Answer 34

It is outdated and irrelevant in today’s society

Question 35

What do Giddens and Beck say about family?

Answer 35

It is under threat and is in decline

Question 36

What does Carol Smart say about family?

Answer 36

Structural (social) factors, experiences, family history, and society’s expectations play a part in the type of family we build and in our relationships (PLP)

Question 37

What is the definition of Fictive Kin?

Answer 37

Close friends who are not related by blood but are treated as relatives

Question 38

What is the definition of a chosen family?

Answer 38

A supportive network of close friends, ex - partners who are not related by blood

Question 39

What conclusion did Carol Smart come to about family?

Answer 39

Family is not in decline, it is just very different and more diverse and complex than ever before

Question 40

What are 2 strengths of Personal Life Perspective?

Answer 40

• Helps us to understand how people construct and define their relationships as family, rather than imposing traditional definitions from outside
• Recognises that relatedness is not always positive

Question 41

What is a weakness of Personal Life Perspective?

Answer 41

• It is criticised for taking too broad of a view on the family as by including a wide range of personal relationships, we ignore what is special about relationships that are based on blood and marriage

Question 42

What is the feminist perspective on the family?

Answer 42

Family supports and reproduces inequalities between men and women. Women are oppressed because they are socialised to be dependant on men

Question 43

What do Liberal Feminists say about the family?

Answer 43

The family is only sexist because it supports mainstream culture which is sexist. They believe putting pressure on institutions will help to bring about social change.

Question 44

What do Marxist Feminists say about the Family?

Answer 44

The family produces and cares for the next generation of workers at almost no cost to the capitalist system. Men are paid for work outside of the home but women aren’t paid to work inside the home

Question 45

What did Benston say about housework?

Answer 45

If housework was paid, even at minimum wage, it would damage capitalist profits

Question 46

What do Radical Feminists say about the family?

Answer 46

Housework is an area of exploitation of women which is down to the domination of men in society

Question 47

What is a strength of the Feminist view of the family?

Answer 47

• Highlights the inequalities that exist between men and women in the family and society leading to social change

Question 48

What are 4 weaknesses of the Feminist view of the family?

Answer 48

• Doesn’t acknowledge the ability of individual women to make changes and improve their situation
• Doesn’t acknowledge that power may be shared in the family
• Overlooks other types of family household
• Doesn’t recognise that women from different ethnic backgrounds have different life experiences

Question 49

What is the definition of Demography?

Answer 49

The study of statistics that measure the size and growth of a population

Question 50

What has happened to the birth rate?

Answer 50

It has fallen since the early 20th century
2014 - nearly 700,000 births in England and wales
1901 - 1 million births

Question 51

What is the definition of Fertility Rate?

Answer 51

The average number of children a woman would have if she followed the current fertility rate throughout her life