Theory and Methods Flashcards
(103 cards)
What kind of theory is functionalism?
A macro, consensus theory. They believe society is structured top down.
What is the organic analogy?
Society functions like a body, all the organ have a specific function which are necessary to the maintenance of the whole. All institutions work together to create social solidarity and value consensus.
Who theorised the organic analogy?
Parsons
What are the four functional prerequisites?
- Goal attainment
- Adaptation
- Integration
- Latency
Explain Latency
The aim of this subsystem is to stabilise adult personalities, the family, warm bath theory.
Explain Integration
The aim of this subsystem is to bring all of society together through shared norms, values and beliefs. The media must create social cohesion.
Explain Goal attainment
The aim of this subsystem is to make sure as a society we are working towards one common goal and provide the means to achieve this.
Explain adaptation
The economy must adapt to meet the needs of society at the time- functional fit theory.
What is moving equilibrium?
Societies ability to change so they can retain a degree of balance in order to continue to function effectively.
Althusser suggested that capitalist society was made up of 3 interlocking elements. What are they?
- The economic system, producing all the material goods
- The political system, organising society
- The ideological system, providing all ideas and beliefs
What is relative autonomy?
The idea that the economic system has ultimate control but the political and ideological have degrees of autonomy. Politics and culture changes in response to many different forces not just economic ones.
What is the repressive state apparatus?
Organisations such as the police and the army
What is the ideological state apparatus?
The more subtle organisations e.g education, media and religion
What is hegemony?
When the state gains consent from large sections of the population to cement its dominance and maintain control e.g welfare state, health and safety laws
What does Gramsci believe has to happen for capitalism to stop?
The proletariat must develop counter hegemony to combat the beliefs of capitalism and nominate an organic intellectual to speak out on behalf of the proletariat.
What is means of mental production?
The majority accept inequalities because of the way the state justify them as fair and just
What did Marx believe was going to happen?
The means of production would get so concentrated that class polarisation would occur and become so extreme the proletariat would reach a state of full class consciousness.
What are the characteristics of modern society?
- Nation State which governs citizens through laws
- Capitalism, private ownership of production, wages, laws etc
- Rationality, science and technology
- Individualism
What is globalisation?
The growing interconnectedness between societies due to the rise in technology.
What has globalisation led to?
time-space compression, as suggested by Harvey, which is the idea that your place in the world becomes less significant because of the speeding up of communication.
Explain simulacrum
Baudrillard suggests simulacrum is where a sign exists without any underlying reality. It is a construct. E.g what is a celebrity?
What is hyperreality?
Baudrillard suggests there is a blurring between reality and hyperreality, we don’t know what’s real anymore because our perception of real is so intense and amplified.
What are some major changes due to globalisation?
- Technological changes, increase in technology
- Economic changes, transnational companies, more opportunity to develop
- Political changes, more than one nation state
- Changes in culture and identity, pick n mix, fluidity, multiculturalism
What is a metanarrative?
A big story about how the world works and how it can be improved, Lyotard’s idea