Sociological Theories and Social Institutions

Question 1

What is Functionalism (AKA Structural Functionalism)?

Answer 1

A paradigm that conceptualises society as having connected and interdependent parts, each with a necessary and distinct purpose.
Focuses on the social functions of different social structures by asking what these structures contribute to society at large.

Question 2

What theory is Durkeim most closely associated with?

Answer 2

Functionalism

Question 3

Is functionalism a micro or macro level theory?

Answer 3

Macro Level (looks at society at large)

Question 4

What is dynamic equilibrium?

Answer 4

A stable condition in a healthy society due to all components working well together

Question 5

What is collective conscience?

Answer 5

How people of a shared culture come to think in the same manner due to their shared beliefs, ideas, and moral attitudes, all which operate to unify society

Question 6

What are latent functions?

Answer 6

Consequences of a structure that are not the intended consequences. Could be negative, positive or neutral.

Question 7

What are manifest functions?

Answer 7

The intended consequences/outcome of a structure. Is at least arguable positive.

Question 8

What is a social dysfunction?

Answer 8

A process that has undesirable consequences and may actually reduce stability of the society

Question 9

Is conflict theory a micro or macro level theory?

Answer 9

Macro-level (looks at society as a whole)

Question 10

What is the premise of conflict theory?

Answer 10

Views society as a never-ending competition for limited resources; in some aspects is diametrically opposed to the functionalist perspective.

Question 11

What theory is Karl Marx associated with?

Answer 11

Conflict theory

Question 12

What is hegemony?

Answer 12

A coerced acceptance of the values, expectations, and conditions determined by the capitalist class.

Question 13

What is class consciousness?

Answer 13

Exploited workers awareness of the reasons for their oppression

Question 14

What is Max Weber known for?

Answer 14

Refining and critiquing Marx’s tenants of conflict theory:
- agrees that the inequalities in a capitalist system would lead to conflict
- did not believe the collapse of capitalism was inevitable
- believed Marx’s focus was too narrow and extreme

Question 15

What did Weber believe was a critical factor in the success of capitalism?

Answer 15

The protestant/puritan work ethic: A widely held religious belief that lauded the morality of hard work for the sake of Godliness

Question 16

What is the rationalisation of society?

Answer 16

The increasing concern with efficiency (achieving the maximum result with the minimum amount of effort)

Question 17

What is the major criticism of functionalism?

Answer 17

It focuses too much on competition and does not recognise the role of stability within a society

Question 18

Is symbolic interactionism micro or macro theory?

Answer 18

Micro-level: bottom up, small to large

Question 19

What is the premise of Symbolic Interactionism?

Answer 19

Emphasises the ways by which individuals actively shape their world through their understanding and subsequent behavioural responses to the meanings they attribute to the societal symbols through which individuals define their reality

Examines the relationships between individuals and society by focuses on the exchange of information through language and symbols in one-on-one and small group communication

Question 20

What theory is George Herbert Mead associated with?

Answer 20

Symbolic Interactionism

Question 21

What are the three components of the principal of meaning?

Answer 21

1. Humans ascribe meaning to things and act toward those things based on their ascribed meaning
2. Language allows humans to generate meaning through social interactions with each other and society
3. Humans modify meanings through an interpretive thought process that observes and considers the reactions of others as well as the social context of these interactions

Question 22

For interactionists, how is the self developed?

Answer 22

1. Language
2. Play
3. Games

Question 23

According to Mead, what is the difference between the “I” and the “me”?

Answer 23

I: the individualistic self
Me: the social self
**the I and the me are in constant dialogue

Question 24

What is the Thomas Theorem?

Answer 24

The theory that interpretation of a situation affects the response to that situation

Question 25

What is the Dramaturgical Approach?

Answer 25

uses the metaphor of theatre to explain human behaviour. According to this perspective, individuals perform actions in everyday life as if they were performers on a stage

Question 26

What is a critique of symbolic interactionism?

Answer 26

The theory neglects the macro-level of social interpretation and may therefore miss the larger issues of society

Question 27

What is symbolic constructionism?

Answer 27

• People actively shape their reality through social interactions and therefore reality is something that is socially constructed rather than inherent
• Argue that the reality people see is socially constructed or an”artifice of society”

Question 28

What does social constructionism focus on?

Answer 28

Social constructs that change across cultures and within a single culture over time (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, class)

Question 29

What is the major difference between symbolic interactionism and social constructionism?

Answer 29

Symbolic interactionists focus almost exclusively on one-on-one interactions, social constructionists examine the constructs of society from both a micro and macro perspective

Question 30

What are stocks of knowledge?

Answer 30

The knowledge that allows us to classify objects and actions we observe quickly and routinely structure our own actions in immediate response

Question 31

What is typification?

Answer 31

The process of relying on general knowledge as a way of constructing ideas about people and the social world.

Question 32

What is feminist theory?

Answer 32

Concerned with:
- the social experiences of men and women and the differences between these experiences
- the effects of gender differences on individual interactions

Question 33

What is the rational choice theory?

Answer 33

a broad heading for a variety of other theories that describe how individuals seek to maximise the benefits they gain and minimise the disadvantages they sustain in all social interactions

Question 34

What are the assumptions of utilitarianism?

Answer 34

1. Individual humans are rational in their actions
2. In every human interaction, individuals will seek to maximise their own self-interest