sociological theory Flashcards
consensus, conflict, social action theories and postmodernism
Consensus theories
- general (2)
- functionalism (3)
- the new right (6)
- terms (50)
General (2):
- ‘Social scientists’, ‘data’, ‘framework’ for ‘theories’
- make sense of society and its function, consensus and conflict theories ‘macro’/’top-down’/structural/external to individuals
Functionalism (3):
1. Most influential, Durkheim (1858-1917); belonging/shared identity paramount, consensus/community, without ‘anomie’/normlessness; highly valued religion as a key agent (collective worship/shared symbols)
2. Parsons (1902-79): socialisation creates a ‘value consensus’; transmitting norms via key institutions; ensuring harmony, stability, ‘organic’ analogy; highly valued nuclear family as agents; ‘AGIL’/social system (Adaptation, Goal attainment, Integration, Latency and pattern maintenance)
3. Evaluation: most influential until 1950, post-1960 strongly criticised, dismisses conflict and inequality
The New Right (6):
1. Political stance over soc ideology
2. Smith (1723-1790); supports free market, capitalism, the ‘hidden hand of the market’, ‘supply and demand’
3. Neo-liberal Hayek (1944): greatest freedom in a free market capitalist society, free from state intervention; Labour’s welfare state efforts created a ‘road to serfdom’; heavily influence Thatcherism (1979-90)
4. Murray (1984): excessive state intervention created a ‘dependency culture’ in US and UK, led to ‘underclass’, straying from norms due to lone-parents, poverty and laziness
5. Marsland (1988): sociology Marxism/left-wing-influenced, so NR provides necessary counter-balance
6. Evaluation: similar to functionalism; based on no scientific evidence; ignores structural weaknesses worsening poverty and discrimination
Terms (50):
- Social scientists, data, framework, theories, concepts, collective/consensus, norms, values, beliefs, institutions, agents of socialisation, ‘social world’, social solidarity, anomie/normlessness, key agents/institutions, organic analogy, structural/functionalist theory, functions/purpose, symbols, social system, ‘AGIL’, ideology, free market, capitalism, hidden hand of the market (Smith), ‘supply and demand’ (Smith), state intervention, neo-liberal, ‘road to serfdom’ (Hayek), Thatcherism, ‘dependency culture’ (Murray), ‘underclass’, dominant/subordinate groups, socialisation, hierarchy, exploitation/injustice/discrimination, xenophobia/racism, industrialism/industrialist societies, ruling/working class, bourgeoisie/proletariat, owner/labourer, class consciousness, ISAs/False Consciousness (Althusser), Status/Power (Weber), gender stereotypes/norms/values, patriarchy/hierarchy/misogyny, macro/micro, top-down, structural theories, labelling, modernity
Conflict theories:
- general (3)
- marxism (4)
- weberianism (2)
- feminism (3)
- terms (50)
General (3):
- societies based on conflict, inequalities between social groups; dominant groups conflict, dominate subordinate groups; subordinates socialised into inferiority
- Argue where inequality lies, conflicts will always exist (e.g. slavery, colonialism, imperialism, wars)
- Examples of overcoming, but also its existence^: Diamond Jubilee, British Raj/imperialism, Mo Farah challenging systemic racism/xenophobia
Marxism (4):
1. Most influential conflict theory
2. Marx (1818-83): society based on class divisions, changed/worsened post-industrial societies; capitalism rules, ruling class v working class, bourgeoise v proletariat, owners v labourers, eventually working class will gain class consciousness, overthrow; superstructure (cultural institutions) shaped by needs of infrastructure
3. Althusser (1971): ISAs/ideological state apparatuses legitimise the capitalist exploitative system, create a ‘false consciousness’ to distract, validate, divert
Similar to functionalism by focus on structure and class
4. Evaluation: most influential post-1960, offers a contrast to NR/Functionalism; supports and evidences growing inequality and discrimination; counter-criticised as it sees people as non-thinking, easily controlled robots, dismisses life satisfaction from some groups in capitalism, communist societies also problematic
Weberianism (2):
1. Weber (1864-1920) disagreed with Marx; argued status and power more influential
2. E.g. financial inequality: 2008 bankers making money off of recession, Fred Goodwin
Feminism (3):
1. Influence in sociology post-1970s, but began before this in waves (4)
2. Women subjugated, discriminated against by patriarchal, hierarchical, misogynistic society and ideologies
3. Socialised into roles of inferiority, gendered norms and stereotypes
Terms (50):
Social scientists, data, framework, theories, concepts, collective/consensus, norms, values, beliefs, institutions, agents of socialisation, ‘social world’, social solidarity, anomie/normlessness, key agents/institutions, organic analogy, structural/functionalist theory. functions/purpose, symbols, social system, ‘AGIL’, ideology, free market, capitalism, hidden hand of the market (Smith), ‘supply and demand’ (Smith), state intervention, neo-liberal, ‘road to serfdom’ (Hayek), Thatcherism, ‘dependency culture’ (Murray), ‘underclass’, dominant/subordinate groups, socialisation, hierarchy, exploitation/injustice/discrimination, xenophobia/racism, industrialism/industrialist societies, ruling/working class, bourgeoisie/proletariat, owner/labourer, class consciousness, ISAs/False Consciousness (Althusser), Status/Power (Weber), gender stereotypes/norms/values, patriarchy/hierarchy/misogyny, macro/micro, top-down, structural theories, labelling, modernity
Social action theories:
- general (2)
- interactionism (2)
- labelling theory (2)
- terms (50)
General (2):
- ‘micro’/small-scale, interpretivist
- Evaluation: rich in detail, explore contents deeply, through ‘the eyes of the people themselves’ (Becker); but argued too microsociological, lacks scientific basis
In response, some use multiple types: Willis (both marxist and interactions influence), Oakley (1974, explored wider society through multiple means)
Interactionism (2):
1. interactionism/symbolic interactionism, one of the main social action theories; based on micro, self-oriented exploration, identity determined by interaction
2. Social life a series of actions and reactions, using symbols; norms and values determined through this, over time
Labelling theory (2):
1. Based on interactionism
2. Becker (1963): ‘self’ influenced by interaction with others, labelling influences this; can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies/master status (e.g. criminals, women, disabled)
Terms (50):
- Social scientists, data, framework, theories, concepts, collective/consensus, norms, values, beliefs, institutions, agents of socialisation, ‘social world’, social solidarity, anomie/normlessness, key agents/institutions, organic analogy, structural/functionalist theory. functions/purpose, symbols, social system, ‘AGIL’, ideology, free market, capitalism, hidden hand of the market (Smith), ‘supply and demand’ (Smith), state intervention, neo-liberal, ‘road to serfdom’ (Hayek), Thatcherism, ‘dependency culture’ (Murray), ‘underclass’, dominant/subordinate groups, socialisation, hierarchy, exploitation/injustice/discrimination, xenophobia/racism, industrialism/industrialist societies, ruling/working class, bourgeoisie/proletariat, owner/labourer, class consciousness, ISAs/False Consciousness (Althusser), Status/Power (Weber), gender stereotypes/norms/values, patriarchy/hierarchy/misogyny, macro/micro, top-down, structural theories, labelling, modernity
Postmodernism:
- general (4)
- socs (2)
- terms (50)
General (4):
- Not a sociological theory but an ideology, multifaceted
- Argues a new era of ‘modernity’ brings with it more autonomy, individualism, identity, diversity, ideological evolution - traditional concepts fragmenting/breaking down creating more freedom
- Emphasis on knowledge (media, digital communication, technology) over mass production
- Evaluation: highlights complexity of identity and humanity and influence of globalisation and technological development; counter-argued that postmodernism doesn’t use scientific means, dismisses influence of traditional structures
Socs (2):
1. Lyotard (1984): we should abandon sociological ‘research’ using ‘metanarratives’/grand theories, focus on the micro and contextual
2. Baudrillard (1988): electronic media and technology has influenced social world; e.g. Princess Diana’s death and parasocial relationships, ‘the dissolution of life into tv’
Terms (50):
- Social scientists, data, framework, theories, concepts, collective/consensus, norms, values, beliefs, institutions, agents of socialisation, ‘social world’, social solidarity, anomie/normlessness, key agents/institutions, organic analogy, structural/functionalist theory. functions/purpose, symbols, social system, ‘AGIL’, ideology, free market, capitalism, hidden hand of the market (Smith), ‘supply and demand’ (Smith), state intervention, neo-liberal, ‘road to serfdom’ (Hayek), Thatcherism, ‘dependency culture’ (Murray), ‘underclass’, dominant/subordinate groups, socialisation, hierarchy, exploitation/injustice/discrimination, xenophobia/racism, industrialism/industrialist societies, ruling/working class, bourgeoisie/proletariat, owner/labourer, class consciousness, ISAs/False Consciousness (Althusser), Status/Power (Weber), gender stereotypes/norms/values, patriarchy/hierarchy/misogyny, macro/micro, top-down, structural theories, labelling, modernity
