T3 - Structural Theories

Question 1

What was the enlightenment project?

Answer 1

The goal of changing the world for the better, with the application of human reason.

Question 2

When did Sociology emerge?

Answer 2

Sociology emerged in the 19th century within the rapidly industrialising societies of Europe

Question 3

What are Modernist Theories?

Answer 3

Theories that can be used to improve society, or even create a perfect society.

Question 4

Why is there a number of theories of modern society?

Answer 4

Because sociologists never agreed about what kind of society is desirable, or how to create it. As a result there are several theories. One group of these are structural theories.

Question 5

Who are the Structural theorists?

Answer 5

Functionalism, Feminism, Marxism.

Question 6

What view of society do structural theorists have?

Answer 6

Structural forces shape society, they take a top down deterministic approach, believing that we are controlled by forces that are external to us, greater than us and they control and constrain us.
According to Lukes, these are Social Facts.

Question 7

What are the basic differences between the theories?

Answer 7

Functionalism - Takes a CONSENSUS view
Marxism - Takes a CONFLICT view
Feminism - Takes a CONFLICT view. Also reject the us of positivist approaches to researching - prefers interpretivist approaches.

Question 8

What do Functionalists believe about the VALUE CONSENSUS?

Answer 8

It shapes society ensuring that we all work collectively to meet the needs of society. We share a COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS. This is then reinforced through institutions such as the family, education, and religion. We all benefit from our shared values.

Question 9

What is Organic Analogy?

Answer 9

Compares the different parts of society to the organs of a living organism. The organism is able to live, reproduce and function through the organised system of its several parts and organs.

Question 10

What is the Functional Fit?

Answer 10

Argues that the structure of the family adapts to fit the needs of the society in which it exists.

Question 11

What is a Value Consensus?

Answer 11

A widespread agreement within a society on core values and beliefs.

Question 12

What is socialiation?

Answer 12

The process by which individuals learn the norms, values, and beliefs of a society, enabling them to become effective and contributing members.

Question 13

What is a Collective Consciousness?

Answer 13

The shared beliefs, values, ideas, and norms that unite a group or society.

Question 14

What is an Anomie?

Answer 14

A state of normlessness, or a breakdown of social norms and values, leading to a feeling of alienation and disconnection from society.

Question 15

What is Adaptation?

Answer 15

The process of adjusting to suit different conditions, whether environmental, societal, or personal.

Question 16

What is Goal Attainment?

Answer 16

The successful achievement of a predetermined target.

Question 17

What is Social Integration?

Answer 17

The ways in which that different groups come together to from a whole in society.

Question 18

What is Latency?

Answer 18

Unintended consequence or outcome of an activity or social system.

Question 19

What do Marxists believe?

Answer 19

That all institutions in society exists to meet the needs of CAPITALISM. Society exists in a constant state of CONFLICT between the ruling classes who EXPLOIT and OPPRESS the subject class in order to benefit from their labour.

Question 20

What are forces of production?

Answer 20

Refer to the combined elements necessary for producing goods and services. These include means of production, e.g tools.

Question 21

What are Relations of Production?

Answer 21

Refer to the social, legal, and economic relationships within a society that govern the production of goods and services.

Question 22

What is Capitalism?

Answer 22

An economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production, where goods and services are distributed through markets driven by supply and demand.

Question 23

What is False Consciousness?

Answer 23

A way of thinking that prevents a person from perceiving the true nature of their social or economic situation.

Question 24

What is an Ideology?

Answer 24

Values/beliefs

Question 25

What is a Revolution?

Answer 25

A forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favour of a new system.

Question 26

What is Alienation?

Answer 26

A state if being estranged or separated from something, whether its a person, group, or even own identity.

Question 27

What is Base-Superstructure?

Answer 27

Refers to the economic structure of society, including the means of production and the relations of production.

Question 28

What is Neo/Humanistic Marxism?

Answer 28

Builds upon the Marxist theory by emphasizing the role of Culture, Ideology, and Human agency in shaping social change.

Question 29

What do feminists believe about institutions in society?

Answer 29

Believe they all exist to ensure the continued domination of men (patriarchy) and to maintain the continued subordination of women. There are 4 types of feminists: Liberal, Radical, Marxist, Difference.

Question 30

What do Liberal Feminists believe?

Answer 30

They believe all human beings should have equal rights. They call for both cultural and structural changes. They are concerned with CIVIL rights. Want to change SOCIALISATION and CULTURE, and introduce new LAWS AND POLICIES. Can synoptically link this to the role of women in families and the march of progress

Question 31

What do Radical feminists argue?

Answer 31

They emerged in the 1970s. They argue patriarchy is universal and that men are the enemy of women as all men oppress all women. Men benefit from unpaid domestic labour and sex. They argue that PERSONAL IS POLITICAL as it is about one person attempting to dominate another - this is known as SEXUAL POLITICS. Patriarchal power is expressed in personal relationships through sexual and/or physical violence or the threat of it. Can synoptically link this to couples and domestic violence, for example FIRESTONE argues the origins of the patriarchy lie in the women's biological capacity to bear and care for infants.

Question 32

What do Marxist feminists say?

Answer 32

See women's subordination as rooted in capitalism which is the result of their role as unpaid homemaker, thereby making them economically independent. The subordination of women serves a number of functions for Capitalism: Cheap, exploitable, labour reserve/army of labour, reproduce workers, women absorb anger. Can synoptically link this to Ansley, who said that "Women are takers of shit".

Question 33

What do Difference feminists say?

Answer 33

Women's experience of patriarchy can depend on many factors, e.g class, age, sexuality, ethnicity, disability etc. They say the feminist theory has claimed a FALSE UNIVERSALITY. Butler argues the definition of women is constructed through DISCOURSE, e.g scientific discourse of what a woman is, and these are often done through the patriarchal, male gaze of contemporary institutions. Can synoptically link this to F&H, where white feminists ignore black women's experience of racial oppression; black feminists view the black family as a source of support and resistance against racism.