Final Exam Study Guide Flashcards
(18 cards)
Ethnomethodology
A method of sociological analysis that examines how individuals use everyday conversation and gestures to construct a common-sense view of the world. It relies on the theory that just being part of social life is an accomplishment and so it focusses on everyday mundane procedures. It’s also challenging to study because these procedures are often taken for granted and go unnoticed.
Poverty as a by-product of social causes
People live in poverty because of economic and social institutional coincidences. Poverty is not their fault, and it is oppressive but not exploitative. Individual attributed may make poverty more or less likely but the majority of the blame is on the institutions (poor schools, bad neighborhoods, etc.) Proponents of this theory often believe the system can be “tweaked” to better help those living in poverty. For this reason, this theory is popular among social workers.
Poverty as a by-product of social causes
People live in poverty because of economic and social institutional coincidences. Poverty is not their fault, and it is oppressive but not exploitative. Individual attributed may make poverty more or less likely but the majority of the blame is on the institutions (poor schools, bad neighborhoods, etc.) Proponents of this theory often believe the system can be “tweaked” to better help those living in poverty. For this reason, this theory is popular among social workers.
Poverty as a result of inherent qualities of social system
The system was designed to benefit some people at the expense of others and therefore encourages poverty. This theory agrees with the Marxist orientated view that sees poverty in capitalist societies as an inherent and crucial feature of a society whose economic structure is grounded in class and exploitation. To reduce poverty is to reduce capitalism because capitalism cannot exist without exploitation of workers. Additionally, the system will not change because there are powerful and privileged actors whose interest is in maintaining poverty and the only way to beat poverty would be for the rich to give up their standing so that they no longer rely on poverty to maintain their wealth and power.
Poverty as a result of inherent qualities of social system
The system was designed to benefit some people at the expense of others and therefore encourages poverty. This theory agrees with the Marxist orientated view that sees poverty in capitalist societies as an inherent and crucial feature of a society whose economic structure is grounded in class and exploitation. To reduce poverty is to reduce capitalism because capitalism cannot exist without exploitation of workers. Additionally, the system will not change because there are powerful and privileged actors whose interest is in maintaining poverty and the only way to beat poverty would be for the rich to give up their standing so that they no longer rely on poverty to maintain their wealth and power.
Role
A set of obligations and privileges associated with a particular position or status. To the functionalist, roles come into existence to meet a social need. They are created by society and enacted by individuals.
Sick Role
A role designed to minimize death by forcing sick people to take care of themselves. It also provides society stability by giving guidelines for how a sick person should be treated, how a sick person should act, and what to do (i.e. how not to panic) when someone is sick or dying.
Symbolic Interactionism
This perspective relies on the symbolic meaning that people develop and rely upon in the process of social interaction. There are five main beliefs of symbolic interactionists:
- Meaning is not internet in any object.
- We act on objects based on the meaning they have for us.
- Meanings are a product of social interaction.
- Meanings are modified through an ongoing interpretive process.
- Acting toward an object reinforces the meanings and norms associated with it.
Symbolic Interactionism
This perspective relies on the symbolic meaning that people develop and rely upon in the process of social interaction. There are five main beliefs of symbolic interactionists:
- Meaning is not internet in any object.
- We act on objects based on the meaning they have for us.
- Meanings are a product of social interaction.
- Meanings are modified through an ongoing interpretive process.
- Acting toward an object reinforces the meanings and norms associated with it.
“The Self” as an Object
We act towards the self based on the meaning it has for us. The self, which is relatively stable, serves as a platform through which we interact with the world. The self is the individuals relatively stable subjective understanding of themselves as an object. Meaning is not inherent in the self.
“The Self” as an Object
We act towards the self based on the meaning it has for us. The self, which is relatively stable, is a person’s understanding of themselves as an object. It serves as a platform through which we interact with the world. Meaning is not inherent in the self, there are many ways to define self meaning and many of those are a result of larger social norms (i.e. society tells me I’m a girl and so I behave in the ways that are societally acceptable for girls).
“The Self” as an Object
We act towards the self based on the meaning it has for us. The self, which is relatively stable, is a person’s understanding of themselves as an object. It serves as a platform through which we interact with the world. Meaning is not inherent in the self, there are many ways to define self meaning and many of those are a result of larger social norms (i.e. society tells me I’m a girl and so I behave in the ways that are societally acceptable for girls).
Why does Martin see women’s work as alienated?
She agreed with Marx. Women were like worker’s they were part of a larger machine (society) and had no control over their actions, their relationship to others, or their destiny because all of those things had already been decided by societally imposed norms (a woman was to be wife and mother, stay in the home, and obey her husband).
She also argued the woman was split into different parts (wife, mother, individual) and that led to a fragmentation of the self.
Finally, she is excluded (alienated) from many aspects of social life based on her sex. She is also seen as less educated and has decisions taken away from her because of this (i.e. the birthing process).
Why does Martin see women’s work as alienated?
She agreed with Marx. Women were like worker’s they were part of a larger machine (society) and had no control over their actions, their relationship to others, or their destiny because all of those things had already been decided by societally imposed norms (a woman was to be wife and mother, stay in the home, and obey her husband).
She also argued the woman was split into different parts (wife, mother, individual) and that led to a fragmentation of the self. She is excluded (alienated) from many aspects of social life based on her sex.
Finally, a woman’s “work” or “production” is birth but she is alienated from it. She is seen as a machine without her own thoughts or opinions. The doctor is the “mechanic” and the “boss” who ensures the timely delivery of the “product.”
Why does Martin see women’s work as alienated?
She agreed with Marx. Women were like worker’s they were part of a larger machine (society) and had no control over their actions, their relationship to others, or their destiny because all of those things had already been decided by societally imposed norms (a woman was to be wife and mother, stay in the home, and obey her husband).
She also argued the woman was split into different parts (wife, mother, individual) and that led to a fragmentation of the self. She is excluded (alienated) from many aspects of social life based on her sex.
Finally, a woman’s “work” or “production” is birth but she is alienated from it. She is seen as a machine without her own thoughts or opinions. The doctor is the “mechanic” and the “boss” who ensures the timely delivery of the “product.”
Wright’s Conception of Social Class
Similar to Marxist views on social class. Relation to the means of production, but would argue that in modern society, there is a greater division than that of workers and owners as Marx thought.
Wright’s Conception of Social Class
Similar to Marxist views on social class. Relation to the means of production, but would argue that in modern society, there is a greater division than that of workers and owners as Marx thought.
How can the birthing body be seen as a machine?
The woman is often viewed as the laborer that produces a product (baby).
Modern birthing is hooked up to various machines that dehumanize the birthing experience and alienate a mother from a natural birthing experience to ensure the ‘product’ is healthy and can provide benefits to society.
The doctor is viewed as the supervisor or bourgeoisie while the woman is the worker or proletariat. He can also be seen as the “mechanic” in charge of keeping the machine working and the “product” on time.
Forces (mechanical parts) in labor=uterus and abdomen.
The mother is not seen as responsible for the baby (the doctor is). Her opinions are not valid and may be taken away from her if they don’t conform to society or the doctor (bourgeoisie).
She receives regular “performance evaluations” like a worker would.
