THEORIES OF SOCIOLOGY

Question 1

structural approaches

Answer 1

macro scale perspective that focuses on how society works as a whole by focusing analysis on social institutions and relationships between them institutions:

1.)family
2.)education
3.)religion

Question 2

what are some criticisms about structural theories

Answer 2

they portray individual as passive, lacking free will like puppets on a string

also don’t focus on individuals rather they focus on whole groups

Question 3

Social action/interpretivist theories

Answer 3

micro scale perspective where individuals are in control and shape society —>

believe human behaviour is socially constructed and people interpret situations based on personal experiences

Question 4

Consensus theories

Answer 4

if individuals learn norms and values of society through social processes with no opposition the society will be stable and predictable—>

all institutions operate to maintain consensus

Question 5

Conflict

Answer 5

we are forced to accept a structure of norms and values which exploit and manipulate people

Question 6

Postmodernism

Answer 6

traditionally society was explained through magic and religion(meta narratives) but now it is explained through science and rational thought