CH2: Sociological Theory (Questions)

Question 1

What are the steps included in the Praxis feedback loop?

Answer 1

1. Choosing issues and strategies to address them
2. Acting
3. Interpreting results using concepts and models
4. Forming or revising concept and models (repeat)

Question 2

Sociological Theory: What & Why?

Answer 2

Developed by and for the activity of sociological research

Question 3

What are the steps included in the Praxis and Empirical Research feedback loop?

Answer 3

1. Choosing research questions and methodologies
2. Collecting data
3. Interpreting data using concepts and models
4. Forming or revising concepts and models

Question 4

The object of sociological inquiry is __________

Answer 4

Social relations

Question 5

Criticism for Positivist and Interpretivist theories

Answer 5

1. Grounded in elite university studies
2. Eurocentric
3. Biased observations

Question 6

How does critical theory differ from positivism and interpretivism?

Answer 6

Critical theories derive from/are strongly influenced by the social movements in civil society (e.g., labour movement, feminism, anti-colonialism, etc.)

Question 7

Positivist Paradigms (3)

Answer 7

1. Rational Choice Theory
2. Social Network Analysis
3. Functionalism

Question 8

What does Rational Choice Theory assume?

Answer 8

Assumes human beings are goal orientated rational actors with the power to freely choose their conduct

- People make choices that align with their beliefs and desires

- People choose the option that results in the best outcome for them

- People consider the costs and benefits of different options

Question 9

Flaws of Rational Choice Theory

Answer 9

• Assumes people always make rational choices
• Doesn’t consider people’s experiences/history (ex. Whether they are rich or poor)

Question 10

What does Social Functionalism assume?

Answer 10

Assumes society is a bounded, integrated system of functionally interdependent parts (e.g., government, education, and economical systems work together to maintain a beneficial order)

Question 11

Proto-functionalists (2)

Answer 11

• Herbert Spencer
• Emilie Durkheim

Question 12

Who codified social functionalism in the 1930’s-60’s?

Answer 12

Talcott Parsons and Robert Merton

Question 13

4 necessities for social order

Answer 13

1. Family (primary socialization)
2. Education (Meritocracy)
3. Religion (Collective Conscience)
4. Crime (Social Regulation)

Question 14

What are the three action systems proposed by Parsons that organize human social action, and what does each system encompass?

Answer 14

Parson’s proposed that human social action is simultaneously organized by three action systems:

1. Personality System — Comprises the psychological needs and motivations of each individual 

2. Social System — Comprising social norms and roles

3. Cultural System — Comprising cultural symbols and shared values

Question 15

What emerged as a result to functionalism in the U.S?

Answer 15

Conflict Theory

Question 16

What goods does conflict theory suggest people conflict over?

Answer 16

1. Class
2. Status
3. Power

Question 17

What was Weber heavily against? Why?

Answer 17

Capitalism

Observed how the emergence of the Industrial Revolution caused a rise in capitalistic values and the decline of religion.

Noticed how people were less inclined to help each other as their values shifted to focus on work and overall self-consumption

Question 18

Interpretivism Paradigms

Answer 18

1. Symbolic Interactionism
2. Dramaturgy

Question 19

How many critical theories are there?

Answer 19

There are as many critical theories as there are issues that people struggle over

Question 20

Critical Paradigms

Answer 20

• Feminism
• Marxism
• Indigenism

Question 21

What does Gramsci’s theory of Cultural hegemony suggest?

Answer 21

People of high-class benefit from the illusion of the “status quo” — values shared amongst the working class that keep them complacent and obedient

Question 22

What domains does oppression take place across? (4)

Answer 22

• Structural domain: Organizes oppression (laws and policies)
• Disciplinary domain: Administers and manages oppression. Implements and enforces laws and policies
• Hegemonic domain: Circulates oppressive ideas (culture and media)
• Interpersonal domain: Individual experiences of oppression

Question 23

What do Indigenist writers argue?

Answer 23

1. That every aspect of traditional Indigenous societies (languages, spirituality, governance, community, relationships, etc.) needs to be revitalized, adapted to contemporary realities, and reincorporated into the ongoing life of their nations

2.Indigenist writers argue that traditional Indigenous cultures employ different worldviews from European settler culture—including different ontologies and epistemologies:

- Where **settler culture** constructs the self in terms of **dichotomies** (culture vs. nature, society vs. individual, mind vs. body, etc.), **Indigenous cultures** construct the self in terms of **relations** (culture-nature, society-community-individual, spirit-mind-body, etc.)

Question 24

Three aspects of European worldview that are falsely treated as universal (3)

Answer 24

1. Society vs. Individual duality
2. Society vs. Nature duality
3. Modern vs. Primitive duality