Unit 2: Dominant Approaches and Ideas in the Social Sciences Flashcards
Society is a complex unit composed of many parts that come and work together to ensure its stability and survival
Structural-Functionalism
Patterns in society that are considered relatively stable
Social Structures
Groups that can influence norms in society
Social Institutions
Consequences (of each social structure) for the operation of society
Social Functions
Recognized and intended consequences; readily attributed to a specific social structure or institution
Manifest Functions
Unrecognized and unintended consequences; hidden purposes of a social structure or institution
Latent Functions
Elements or processes of or within society that may disrupt solidarity and stability
Social Dysfunctions
Looks into underlying patterns in human behavior that leads to observable social phenomena
Structuralism
Sees society as a struggle between segments of society over valued resources
Marxism
Social segments
Social Class
Struggles of social classes
Social Conflict
Conflict between entire classes over the distribution of a society’s wealth and power
Class Conflict
Economic system where natural resources and means of producing goods are privately owned
Capitalism
Most prominent figure under Marxism; wrote “The Communist Manifesto”
Karl Marx
Marx’s benefactor and lifelong friend; wrote “Das Kapital”
Friedrich Engels
Hypothetical economic and political system in which all members of a society are equal
Communism
Cultural leadership exercised by the ruling class
Hegemony
Social problems as the shortcomings of individuals rather than the flaws of society
False Consciousness
Way by which people provide for their material needs
Materialism
Serves as a foundation to all other institutions
Economic Base
Social institutions that support the base and justify its actions
Superstructures
Society is the product of the everyday interactions of individuals
Symbolic Interactionism
Social objects used to represent whatever people agree they shall represent
Symbols
Emphasized the importance of subjective experience and interpretation in explaining human interactions
Herbert Blumer
Wrote books like “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” and “Politics as a Vacation”
Max Weber
