Psych/Soc: Sociological Theories

Question 1

Structural Functionalism (Ppl, macro/micro, basic premise)

Answer 1

Parts of society work together to maintain stability (dynamic equilibrium)
Manifest and latent functions!
Focus on what different social structures contribute to society
Healthy societies can maintain this balance
Dynamic equilibrium results in social structures working synergistically toward societal solidarity, and a common consciousness (shared awareness for like expectations, etc) that exerts strong coercive influence on individuals
Social Dysfunction can have neg effect on dynamic equilibrium but other social structures work together to mitigate dysfunctions

Macro
Emile Durkheim
(Herbert Spencer - various structures and institutions of society work together to keep society functioning like organs do in a body)

Question 2

Emile Durkheim

Answer 2

Structural Functionalism
Society should be viewed holistically
Established sociology
Expand Spencer’s analogy to explain how societies form, grow, and function
Society complex bc people rely on each other to make society function
For society to thrive all components (gov, police, education, medical systems) must work together to keep society ordered, balanced, and stable (dynamic equilibrium)
He proposed existence of collective or common conscience which is how people come to think in similar manner due to shared beliefs, ideas, morals, which all operate to unify society

Question 3

Manifest functions

Answer 3

Intended function

Question 4

Latent functions

Answer 4

Unintended functions

Question 5

Social Dysfunction

Answer 5

Structural Functionalism
Undesirable consequences reduce stability of society but in a healthy society, other social structures work together to mitigate dysfunctions

Question 6

Conflict Theory (2 theorists)

Answer 6

Parts of society work against each other in competition for limited resources
Imbalances in wealth, power, and prestige = inherent inequality
Macro -> Conflict theory is a macrosociological perspective concerned with social inequalities as a result of the greater social structure, which is of particular concern in capitalistic societies

Karl Marx - looked at economic conflict between social classes (Capitalism encourages competition, bourgeoise vs proletariat)
Cycle of inequality and exploitation
Exploited class needs to realize it's being exploited so need class consciousness (Marx defined as working class aware of themselves as part of group that is exploited by wealthy) 

Weber - Believed there were multiple sources of inequality, not just income
Increasing rationalization of society = increasing concern with efficacy rather than morality and spirituality
Rationalization promotes bureaucracies, agencies of non-elected officials that administer the laws of society
Believed several factors moderate people’s reaction to inequality (agreement with authority figures, social mobility, low rates of class difference)

Question 7

Class consciousness

Answer 7

Marx (conflict theory) defined this as exploited workers awareness of the reasons for their oppression and causes revolution
Replace capitalism with socialism

Question 8

False consciousness and what theory can this relate to?

Answer 8

Working class does not see themselves as group exploited by wealthy (Conflict theory)

Question 9

Max Weber

Answer 9

Conflict Theory
Critique Marx, did not believe collapse of capitalism was inevitable
Believed there were multiple sources of inequality, not just income
Increasing rationalization of society = increasing concern with efficacy rather than morality and spirituality
Rationalization promotes bureaucracies, agencies of non-elected officials that administer the laws of society
Believed several factors moderate people’s reaction to inequality (agreement with authority figures, social mobility, low rates of class difference)
These beliefs form basis for symbolic interactionism (we behave based on meaning things have for us, ex whether or not we rebel based on perception of society)

Question 10

Collective or common conscience

Answer 10

Durkheim (Structural Functionalism) proposed existence of collective or common conscience which is how people come to think in similar manner due to shared beliefs, ideas, morals, which all operate to unify society

Question 11

Symbolic Interactionism
Micro/macro?
Theorist?

Answer 11

People act or interact with others based on meaning, *when using language, or other symbols, involves behaviors of ppl
Exchange of info through language and symbols in one-on-one and small group communication
Symbols influence behavior
Micro-level (Bottom up)
George Herbert Mead
- Self develops in 3 stages: preparatory stage (language), play stage, game stage
-Developed idea of social behaviorism : the mind and self emerge through social process of communication or use of symbols (symbolic interactionsim)

Question 12

George Herbert Mead

Answer 12

Ideas foundation for symbolic interactionist school of thought, self develops in 3 stages:
Preparatory stage 0-2 : children learn to use language and symbols but only mimic those around them (don't understand what they are saying, baby say mama)
Play stage (2-6): Children learn to play roles of others in pretend games such as playing doctor 
Game stage (7 plus): children understand “generalized other,” = the generalized attitude of a large social group (what ppl think of you like a good sport) bc now there are rules, we start to understand how others think about us, there’s winning, cheating

Proposed the distinction between “I” and “me”
“I” = individualistic self, unique identity through social interaction and societal pressures
“Me” = social self or internalized characteristics of the social environment, develop through interactions with others
The “I” and “Me” are in constant dialogue

-Developed idea of social behaviorism : the mind and self emerge through social process of communication or use of symbols (symbolic interactionsim)

Question 13

Erving Goffman (low yield)
More important part is concept he belived in -> dramaturical approach, what is it, how does it relate to the other theories?

Answer 13

A specific type of symbolic interactionist philosophy called dramaturgical approach
View ppl as theatrical performers and everyday life as a stage, act differently in different settings (classroom vs internship vs by self)

Question 14

Social Constructionism
(micro or macro?)

Answer 14

Individual interaction results in socially agreed upon “constructs”
Behaviors based on meanings things have
Everything is a social construct
Can be both Macro and micro -> Social constructionism has both macro and micro versions, which reflects the fact that social realities are constructed both through greater social structures and through face-to-face social interactions

Question 15

Socialization

Answer 15

Dynamic, ongoing process of how individuals internalize values, beliefs, and norms of society and learns to function as a member of society (like pass on through generations)
process through which ppl learn to be proficient and functional members of society
Socialization helps explain how social constructs are maintained and passed to future gen

Question 16

Looking-Glass self

theorist?

Answer 16

Self shaped by others and perception of others
Symbolic interactionist Charles Cooley - concept of oneself is developed in 3 stages:
We imagine how we must appear to others
We imagine what others think about us based on their observations of us
We develop feelings about ourselves based on truly or falsely imagined judgements of others this can cause us to behave in ways to confirm these imagined judgements
(ex. we think friend sees us as liar so we become a liar)

Question 17

Difference between Symbolic Interactionism and Social Constructionism

Answer 17

Symbolic Interactionism
- Focus on symbols
- Looks at how symbols impact interactions b/w doctors and patients
-Always micro
How does wearing a white coat change the doctor/patient relationship?

Social Constructionism
-Focus on social constructs of health, illness, healthcare
-Looks at how socialization maintains and transmits these concepts through society
-Can be micro or macro
How do cultural beliefs about the healthcare industry impact the expectations of patients and doctors?

Question 18

Rational Choice Theory and Exchange Theory
macro or micro?
Also can be called game theory or rational actor theory

Answer 18

Both micro level
Rational Choice Theory:
Ppl make decisions by comparing cost and benefits
The goal is to max benefits and reduce costs
Borrowed from economic 
Exchange Theory: 
Interact with other and society 
Ppl respond to reward and punishments
Goal to max reward, no punishments
Also known as Social Exchange theory 

Rational choice = Making decisions (Do you wear suit or gym clothes to interview) vs
Exchange Theory = interacting with others in society (yell at boss for raise or email them?)

Share premise that human behaviors are utilitarian
Utilitarianism based on assumptions that humans are rational in their actions and in every human interaction

Question 19

Feminist Theory

3 waves? Micro/macro?

Answer 19

Women deserve rights that are politically, socially, and economically equal to men
Divided into waves
First wave - women’s suffrage, property, equal rights in marriage
Second wave - gender equality, equal pay, reproductive rights, sexual destigmatization
Third wave - intersectional, how diff social identities such as gender, race, class interact
Macro or Micro

Question 20

Glass escalator

Answer 20

Refer to way men fast tracked to advanced pos when enter “pink collar” job (mentioned with feminist theory)

Question 21

Glass Ceiling

Answer 21

Barrier that prevents a demographic from rising beyond certain level in hierarchy (mentioned with feminist theory)

Question 22

Thomas Theorem

Answer 22

Subjective interpretation results in actions consistent with beliefs

Question 23

Socialization

Answer 23

Way cultural beliefs are passed on to new generations

Online: It describes the ways that people come to understand societal norms and expectations, to accept society’s beliefs, and to be aware of societal values.