Week 1: Sociological Research Flashcards
Positivism
Quantitative type methods vs. qualitative
Theory
- A statement of how and why specific facts are related to make sense of observation
- A premise on the way the social world works
(Ex: New institutionalism - one thing has one side and one has another)
Theoretical Approaches
A basic image of society that guides thinking and research
Three Theoretical Approaches
Structural functionalism → Social Conflict → Symbolic Interactionist
Society is a complex system whose parts work together to promote?
Solidarity & Stability
Structure
Stable patterns of behaviour in society to keep it going. (Example: handshake, family, etc)
Critiques of Functionalism
- Does not account well for social change
- Risk of power imbalance as a social fact (racism, poverty, etc)
- By focusing on the stability function
- Social inequality is a fact of a system
Social Conflict Approach (Critical Theory)
- Area of inequality generates conflict & change
- Rejects thesis of functionalism, promotes the operation of society
- Social factors and patterns benefit some more than others
- The function of society can/should be consistent
Class-Based Inequality: Karl Marx
The primary conflict in society is that of class conflict
Spectre
Is haunting Europe
Premise
When the nature of this exploitation was realized there would be a socialist revolution
Conflict
Is between the capitalist class and the working class
Symbolic Interactionism
- Micro-level of analysis
- Society is the product of the everyday interaction of individuals (Symbolism,
Subjectivity in everyday life)
Social structure
Overestimates power of individuals to create their reality
(Symbolic knowledge differs among groups of peoples)
