Key terms (a) Flashcards
Structuralism
An approach focusing on large-scale social structures in which people play defined roles
Differences between macro and micro approaches
Macro approaches focus on the large scale of whole societies, while micro approaches focus on small-scale social interaction
Interpretivism
Approaches that start at the level of the individual, focusing on small-scale phenomena and usually favouring qualitative methods
Consensus
Basic agreement on a set of shared values
Conflict
Disagreements between groups with different interests
Perspectives
Ways of viewing social life from different points of view
Correlation
When two variables are related to each other but causation cannot be proved
Causation
Where a strict link between variables in a time sequence
Radical feminists
Believe that despite advances made, societies are still patriarchal and men still have power. Though this may now be less obvious, radical changes are still needed
Liberal feminists
Believe major advances have been made and equality can be reached through further changes e.g. new laws
Marxist feminists
Bring together the insights of both marxism and feminism , focusing on how class and gender work together to produce fundamental divisions in society
Positivism
An approach to research methods based on studying society in a scientific manner
Objectvity
When researchers do not allow personal feelings to affect the research
Bias
Prejudice that distorts the truth when research is influenced by the values of the researcher or by decisions taken about the research
