Schools of Thought in Sociology

Schools of Thought in Sociology

• Functionalism: Views society as interconnected parts working together for stability. Examples include family and education.
• Conflict Theory: Focuses on power struggles and inequality, highlighting conflicts based on social class, race, and gender.
• Symbolic Interactionism: Examines individual interactions and the meanings people attribute to them.
• Feminist Sociology: Explores gender inequality and aims to understand and challenge patriarchy.

Key Theorists

• Emile Durkheim: Studied social integration and norms maintaining order (Functionalism).
• Talcott Parsons: Developed theories on how institutions contribute to social stability (Functionalism).
• Karl Marx: Emphasized class struggles and capitalism's role in inequality (Conflict Theory).
• C. Wright Mills: Introduced the Sociological Imagination and critiqued power concentration.
• Dorothy Smith: Focused on feminist sociology and women's marginalization.
• Chandra Talpade Mohanty: Highlighted global feminism and intersectionality.
• Max Weber: Explored bureaucracy, authority, and how culture impacts economics (e.g., Protestant Ethic).
• Charles Cooley: Developed the "Looking Glass Self," explaining self-concept influenced by others.
• George Herbert Mead: Studied self-development through social interaction and symbols.
• Erving Goffman: Examined roles, masks, and the "dramaturgical" approach to social interactions.

Types of Socialization

• Primary Socialization: Learning norms and values during early childhood, often from family (e.g., manners).
• Secondary Socialization: Adapting to norms in different settings like school or work.
• Anticipatory Socialization: Preparing for future roles (e.g., internships).
• Re-Socialization: Learning new norms in a total institution (e.g., military training).

Difference Between a Norm and a Law

• Norm: Unwritten social expectations (e.g., politeness).
• Law: Formal rules enforced by the legal system (e.g., traffic laws).

Influence of Factors on Socialization

• Gender: Teaches expected behaviors for different genders.
• Culture: Shapes values, traditions, and worldviews.
• Family: Provides primary socialization, teaching basic norms.
• Media: Exposes individuals to societal norms and ideals.

Sociological Imagination

• Definition: The ability to see personal experiences as connected to larger social forces.
• Examples: Unemployment linked to economic downturns, mental health struggles tied to societal stigma or lack of access to healthcare.

Brain Games: Halo Effect & Conformity

• Halo Effect: Judging someone's character based on a single positive trait.
• Conformity: Adjusting behavior to fit group norms.

Roles and Masks

• Roles: Socially expected behaviors tied to a status (e.g., teacher).
• Masks: Personas adopted in social settings (e.g., politeness at work).
• Difficulties: Managing multiple, potentially conflicting roles.

This quiz covers the major schools of thought in sociology, including functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, and feminist sociology. You'll explore key theorists like Durkheim, Marx, and Smith, and understand their contributions to the field. Test your knowledge on how these perspectives shape our understanding of society.