Unit 3 - Section A: THEORETICAL EXPLANTIONS - Postmodernist (positive)

Question 1

Collins

Answer 1

Explains that to understand society, the chains between people must be understood. He explains the importance of researching with a micro-approach (rather than looking at groups, looks at individuals) in order to compare people’s on and off lives. An example is ‘Catfish’ where people can create fake identities to use other people.

Question 2

Bjorklund

Answer 2

Explains that, until recently, individuals have used autobiographies to describe their lives near the end of their lives, but that in a Postmodern society, people take a different view of defining self. Facebook is almost like an ongoing autobiography where people can present themselves through their view of their lives.

Question 3

Hart

Answer 3

Supports this, suggesting that, due to social media, people are writing and rewriting their lives, presenting values that are important to themselves and their society. Claims that people are creating both online and offline identities. Status updates on Facebook are not superficial as some might suggest, but significant and relevant to social context of the individual (e.g. Facebook memories.)

Question 4

Foucault

Answer 4

Argues that surveillance is likely to become an effective means of regulating behaviour and reducing crime in contemporary society. An example is ‘Google Ads’ which track interests from previous search data and ‘guesses’ your profile.