unit 1A - topic 3 - sociological theory

Question 1

What are the 3 main categories of sociological theory?

Answer 1

Structuralism, interactionism, postmodernism

Question 2

What is structuralism/positivism?

Answer 2

branch of sociological theory concerning the impact of social STRUCTURES/institutions on society’s individuals, arguing that these structures hold the BIGGEST influence over us. They apply a ‘top-down’, MACRO approach to society.

Question 3

What research methods do structuralists/positivists favour?

Answer 3

QUANTITATIVE methods because they show wider patterns and TRENDS and are higher in RELIABILITY

Question 4

Name 3 structuralist theories

Answer 4

Functionalism, Marxism, feminism

Question 5

What is functionalism?

Answer 5

a STRUCTURALIST, CONSENSUS theory arguing that society consists of different institutions that function together to create a HARMONIOUS, MERITOCRATIC, smoothly functioning society (organ analogy). They believe in a VALUE CONSENSUS held by the majority of society

Question 6

Name 4 key functionalists

Answer 6

Parsons
Durkheim
Murdock
Davis + Moore

Question 7

Give 3 criticisms of functionalism

Answer 7

Too DETERMINISTIC: humans are NOT puppets.
Doesn’t explain conflict in society - not everything is :)!!!😊😇
Marxists + feminists say MERITOCRACY = MYTH! Powerful groups dominate.

Question 8

What is a consensus theory?

Answer 8

Idea that society lacks conflict and is fair. Social change should happen WITHIN provided social institutions.

NO CONFLICT, FAIR.

Question 9

What is determinism?

Answer 9

The idea that all human behaviour and actions are controlled by a force external from our free will. We are puppets

Question 10

What is meritocracy?

Answer 10

Social system in which HARD WORK and MERIT REAP REWARDS; there is a level playing field and FAIRNESS.

Question 11

Describe the organ analogy

Answer 11

Society is like a body: all social institutions cooperate like organs and cells in order to create smooth functioning harmony in the wider body of society.

Question 12

What is Marxism?

Answer 12

a STRUCTURALIST, CONFLICT theory arguing that the main source of conflict in society is the DICHOTOMOY between BOURGEOISIE and PROLETARIAT, in which B EXPLOIT P using financial (+ideological) power to take the SURPLUS VALUE of their labour, whilst using institutions to promote RULING CLASS IDEOLOGIES that create a FALSE CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS and prevent rebellion due to EMBOURGEOISEMENT. CAPITALIST economic society PREVENTS MERITOCRACY, but there is an illusion of one.

Question 13

Define bourgeoisie

Answer 13

the RULING class that OWN the means of production and can EXPLOIT the PROLETARIAT due to their FINANCIAL POWER (+ resulting ideological power)

Question 14

Define proletariat

Answer 14

poorer WORKING class that work the means production and are EXPLOITED by the bourgeoisie due to their LACK OF FINANCIAL POWER and FALSE CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS

Question 15

what is a conflict theory?

Answer 15

theory focussed on certain conflicts and divisions in society (e.g. class, age, ethnicity) and their impact on individuals and society

Question 16

what is a false class consciousness?

Answer 16

The ILLUSION of lower classes that they aren’t being exploited; the MISCONCEPTION of injustice and power imbalances in society that they don’t exist

Question 17

name 4 key Marxists

Answer 17

Marx, Willis, Bowles + Gintis

Question 18

Give four criticisms of Marxism

Answer 18

Giroux: TOO DETERMINISTIC
OVERSIMPLIFIED and outdated: more than two classes
Ignores OTHER conflicts (age, gender, ethnicity etc)
Not everything is about profit: food banks etc exist

Question 19

What is feminism?

Answer 19

a STRUCTURALIST, CONFLICT theory arguing that society is PATRIARCHAL and that the most influential conflict of interest is between MEN AND WOMEN. Oppression of women + gender stereotypes are SOCIAL CONSTRUCTS

Question 20

What is patriarchy?

Answer 20

social system in which men dominate and women are systematically oppressed and exploited

Question 21

What are Walby’s 6 patriarchal institutions?

Answer 21

CHESS-V
Culture
Household
Employment
Sexuality
State
Violence

Question 22

Name 4 key feminists

Answer 22

Oakley
Walby
Gannon
Walter

Question 23

Give four criticisms of feminism

Answer 23

Often ignores OTHER conflicts (e.g. class, ethnicity)
Tends to DISMISS MEN’S SUFFERING
Tends to treat women as the SAME, but experiences differ hugely
Doesn’t look at GENDERS OTHER than women and men

Question 24

Name 4 types of feminism

Answer 24

Radical
Liberal
Post
Marxist

Question 25

What is interactionism/interpretivism?

Answer 25

theory rejecting the structuralist approach, taking a micro ‘bottom-up’ approach arguing that INDIVIDUALS and INTERACTIONS between them are the most important part of society, NOT larger institutions and structures. Everyone has their own subjective meaning which shouldn’t be ignored.

society = CONSTANTLY SHIFTING PROCESS OF SOCIAL INTERACTION

Question 26

what research methods do interactionists/interpretivists favour?

Answer 26

Qualitative methods, to uncover the TRUE SUBJECTIVE MEANING of individuals in DETAIL, higher in validity (considers individual factors, motives etc)

Question 27

from an interactionist pov, what are roles?

Answer 27

clusters of meanings, actively constructed by participants of social life and subject to change

Question 28

from an interactionist pov, where does social stability come from?

Answer 28

NEGOTIATION between groups as roles r created and changed, NOT passed down generations permanently

Question 29

Give 2 criticisms of interactionism

Answer 29

Doesn’t show big picture, larger patterns and trends as much. Focusses on trees 🌲 not forest 🌳🌲🌳🌲🐿.
UNDERESTIMATES SOCIETY’S POWER to shape individuals actions.

Question 30

Name 4 key interactionist thinkers

Answer 30

Mead
Weber
Becker
Blumer

Question 31

what is postmodernism?

Answer 31

theory arguing that modernist theories FAIL to acknowledge RAPID SOCIAL CHANGE happening in contemporary (late 1900s) society. Society is moving AWAY from OLD SOCIAL STRUCTURES, traditions, values and norms.

Question 32

what is modernism?

Answer 32

branch of sociological theory concerning the social change arising from the industrial revolution (1750s) onwards