Module 1: Sociological Concepts Flashcards
(34 cards)
Social Order
How individuals, groups and values work together collaboratively to keep a society stable and in order
Society
Refers to a group of people who live together within a definable community (during a particular time) and share the same cultural components
Concensus
A general agreement of individuals within a society
Socialization
The process of social influence through which a person acquires the culture or subculture of their group.
and in the course of acquiring these cultural elements the individual’s self and person are shaped.
Marxist Perspective (1800s)
Also known as the Conflict Theory, coined by Karl Marx. States that capitalist societies were built on conflicts between the working class (proletariat) and the ruling class (bourgeoisie).
Society relies on class conflict in order to keep the wealthy in power and the poor as subjects to the government
The Functionalist Perspective
Coined by Émile Durkheim, sees society as a complex system with interdependent parts working together to create and maintain order (social order).
This approach looks at society through a macro level orientation, broadly focusing on the social structures that shape society as a whole
Interactionist Perspective
Developed by Max Weber, focuses on the individual to theorize about life.
Focuses on how individuals create and interpret meanings through social interactions.
Key principles of Functionalism?
- Society is made up of institutions
- Family
- Education
- Religion
- Government - Social Order is maintained through concensus
Strengths of Functionalism
- It Emphasizes social cohesion
- It Recognizes the importance of Institutions
- Provides a macro-level understanding of society
Weaknesses of Functionalism
- It ignores conflicts & inequalities (power struggles)
- Overemphasizes concensus
- Fails to account for rapid social change
- Neglects the concept of individual agency
MARXISM
- Private Ownership?
- Market Economy?
- Profit Motive?
- Wage Labor?
Private Ownership? Individuals or companies own resources and businesses
Market Economy? Prices are determined by supply and demand
Profit Motive? The main goal is to make profit
Wage Labor? Workers sell their labour for wages
Karl Marx’s cure to capitalism?
R
S
C
Revolution - the working class overthrow the capitalist system in a Revolution, seizing control of the means of production
Socialism - after Revolution, society move to socialism. Socialism = state or community control production and distribute resources equality
Classless Society - eventually, state would “wither away” leading to a classless, stateless society known as communism. Communism = wealth and resources are shared communally.
INTERACTIONIST PERSPECTIVE
- Symbols?
- Meaning?
- Social Construct of Reality?
- Self-Concept?
Symbols? People use shared Symbols like language and gestures to communicate
Meaning? Meanings are developed and modified through interactions with others
Social Construct of Reality? Reality is shaped by shared understanding and interpretations
Self-Concept? Individuals form their self-identity based on how others perceive and react to them
How is Society Structured according to INTERACTIONIST?
Society is structured through the everyday interactions and shared meanings that individuals create.
Rather than being seen as fixed and rigid system, Society is viewed as a dynamic and fluid product of human interaction.
It emerges from the countless interactions between individuals. Through communication, people negotiate roles, norms and relationships that define social structures.
What is the role of the “Self” in INTERACTIONISM?
People’s identities and self-concepts are shaped by how they think others see them.
Society is structured around individual’s understanding of their roles and the expectations that people place on them
What is symbolic interactionism?
Refers to the process by which people use symbols such as:
- languages
- gestures
- objects
To communicate and interact with one another.
Again, how individuals create and interpret meaning through social interactions
What are norms?
Expectations of behaviours
What are values?
Behaviors or norms we hold in high esteem
What are attitudes?
How we respond to norms (expectations of behavior) and values (behaviors or norms we hold in high esteem)
What is the “generalized other” in INTERACTIONISM? (George Herbert Mead)
The generalized other is when we consider our past, present and future interactions with others when making decisions.
We use these other perspectives as a reference point for making our own decisions.
Eg: what we think and do
What is the “significant other” in INTERACTIONISM? (George Herbert Mead)
A significant other refers to the people who have a meaningful, direct impact on an individual’s development, shaping their beliefs, behaviors and sense of self.
These are typically individuals with close and personal relationships.
What is Erving Goffman’s “dramaturgy”? (1959)
A sociological perspective that likens social interaction to a theatrical performance.
He argues that individuals present themselves in everyday life similarly to actors performing on stage, constantly managing their image in front of others.
What is feminism?
An approach to understanding society from the perspective from women.
What are some reasons for the growth of feminism?
-WW1
-Edu
-Jobs
- During WW1, it was the women who manned the factories, ran the economies and took care of the families while the men were away fighting
- The expansion of the education system post WW years gave western women access to secondary education and later tertiary education.
- By the 1960s there were more job opportunities as many countries tried to rebuild their economies post WW2. The introduction of technology procided many more opportunities for women to gain employment.
