unit 1A - topic 3 - sociological theory Flashcards
What are the 3 main categories of sociological theory?
Structuralism, interactionism, postmodernism
What is structuralism/positivism?
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.
What research methods do structuralists/positivists favour?
QUANTITATIVE methods because they show wider patterns and TRENDS and are higher in RELIABILITY
Name 3 structuralist theories
Functionalism, Marxism, feminism
What is functionalism?
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
Name 4 key functionalists
Parsons
Durkheim
Murdock
Davis + Moore
Give 3 criticisms of functionalism
Too DETERMINISTIC: humans are NOT puppets.
Doesn’t explain conflict in society - not everything is :)!!!😊😇
Marxists + feminists say MERITOCRACY = MYTH! Powerful groups dominate.
What is a consensus theory?
Idea that society lacks conflict and is fair. Social change should happen WITHIN provided social institutions.
NO CONFLICT, FAIR.
What is determinism?
The idea that all human behaviour and actions are controlled by a force external from our free will. We are puppets
What is meritocracy?
Social system in which HARD WORK and MERIT REAP REWARDS; there is a level playing field and FAIRNESS.
Describe the organ analogy
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.
What is Marxism?
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.
Define bourgeoisie
the RULING class that OWN the means of production and can EXPLOIT the PROLETARIAT due to their FINANCIAL POWER (+ resulting ideological power)
Define proletariat
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
what is a conflict theory?
theory focussed on certain conflicts and divisions in society (e.g. class, age, ethnicity) and their impact on individuals and society
what is a false class consciousness?
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
name 4 key Marxists
Marx, Willis, Bowles + Gintis
Give four criticisms of Marxism
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
What is feminism?
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
What is patriarchy?
social system in which men dominate and women are systematically oppressed and exploited
What are Walby’s 6 patriarchal institutions?
CHESS-V
Culture
Household
Employment
Sexuality
State
Violence
Name 4 key feminists
Oakley
Walby
Gannon
Walter
Give four criticisms of feminism
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
Name 4 types of feminism
Radical
Liberal
Post
Marxist
What is interactionism/interpretivism?
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
what research methods do interactionists/interpretivists favour?
Qualitative methods, to uncover the TRUE SUBJECTIVE MEANING of individuals in DETAIL, higher in validity (considers individual factors, motives etc)
from an interactionist pov, what are roles?
clusters of meanings, actively constructed by participants of social life and subject to change
from an interactionist pov, where does social stability come from?
NEGOTIATION between groups as roles r created and changed, NOT passed down generations permanently
Give 2 criticisms of interactionism
Doesn’t show big picture, larger patterns and trends as much. Focusses on trees 🌲 not forest 🌳🌲🌳🌲🐿.
UNDERESTIMATES SOCIETY’S POWER to shape individuals actions.
Name 4 key interactionist thinkers
Mead
Weber
Becker
Blumer
what is postmodernism?
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.
what is modernism?
branch of sociological theory concerning the social change arising from the industrial revolution (1750s) onwards
