theories and methods Flashcards
(83 cards)
What is conflict theory?
A theory that views society as made up of groups which have conflicting interests, such as the Marxist view that society is divided into two opposed classes.
What is consensus theory?
In contrast to conflict theories, perspectives such as functionalism see society as essentially harmonious.
What is culture?
Includes the norms, values and behaviours that are shared by a social group or society that are transmitted across generations through the socialisation process.
What is globalisation?
The growing interconnectedness of societies across the world, as a result of factors such as the creation of global media and global markets.
What is identity?
An individual’s sense of self that emerges through the socialisation process and interactions with other people.
What is ideology?
A set of ideas, values and beliefs that are intended to justify the interests of a dominant social group.
What is modernity?
The period during which logic and rational principles were applied to the development and organisation of societies, as opposed to the more religious principles applied before this.
What are norms and values?
These refer to the rules and expectations of what is important and right within a social group, which are passed on through the socialisation process and which serve to formally or informally control the behaviour of group members.
What is postmodernity?
A perspective that views society as changing rapidly which has led to growing uncertainty and risk.
What are power relationships?
Differences in the power and influence of those within a relationship such as marriage, that may relate to money and decision-making and that may reflect inequality.
What is secularisation?
The process whereby religious thinking, participation and influence in society is seen to be less important and in decline.
What is socialisation?
The process of learning and internalising the culture of a society. The primary agent of socialisation is mainly the family, while secondary agents include the education system, the media and peer groups.
What are social action theories?
Theories that see individuals as having free will and giving meanings to their actions, they are not simply passively shaped by the structures of society.
What is social change?
Significant changes to the functions and structure of society, including those brought about by such processes as industrialisation and secularisation.
What is social class?
A social group of people who share a similar income, wealth or type of occupation, including class differences between manual and non-manual occupations.
What is social construction?
The construction of something through social processes rather than structural causes.
What is social control?
The process by which society seeks to ensure its members follow society’s norms and values by both informally and formally controlling behaviour.
What is social differentiation?
The physical and social separation of social groups within society.
What are social groups?
Groups of people who share common social interests or social injustices, including groupings by class, gender, ethnicity and sexuality.
What is social mobility?
The movement of individuals or groups up the social hierarchy or down.
What are social problems?
Social behaviour that causes public friction or unrest, and which needs collective action to resolve.
What is social structure?
The network of social institutions and social relationships that form the organisation and authority of society.
What is stratification?
The division of society into a hierarchy of unequal social groups, based on wealth, power or status.
What are subcultures?
A smaller group within the main-stream culture of a society, that are in some ways different from main-stream culture.
