Social Theories Overview: Feminist Theory

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of feminist theory?

Exploring the effects of capitalism on society
Analyzing the role of men in maintaining social order
Understanding the gender inequalities inherent to patriarchal societies (correct)
Promoting the interests of women over those of men

According to feminist theory, how are women often viewed in society?

As equal partners in social situations
As having more freedom than men in patriarchal societies
As superior to men in certain aspects
As marginalized, objectified, and discriminated against (correct)

What is the main idea behind rational choice theory?

People take actions based on instinct, rather than reason
People always act emotionally, without considering the consequences
People always take rational actions, weighing the costs and benefits (correct)
People prioritize the well-being of others over their own

What is NOT a goal of feminist theory?

To replace men at the top of the social ladder (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is an aspect of society that feminist theory examines?

The effects of gender-based roles on social situations (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key assumption of rational choice theory?

That people have the ability to rank all actions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is exchange theory primarily used to study?

Social interactions and relationships. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of rational choice theory and exchange theory?

That they oversimplify human interactions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to exchange theory, what do people primarily aim to do in their interactions?

Maximize rewards and minimize punishments. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of the standards of rewards and punishments in exchange theory?

They change over time and vary from person to person. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a fundamental aspect of rational choice theory?

Completeness, where all actions can be ranked (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary application of rational choice theory in social interaction?

Exchange theory, which studies social norms (C) Signup and view all the answers

What guides human interactions according to exchange theory?

Self-interest and interdependence (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do people analyze interactions according to exchange theory?

Using a rational process of cost-benefit analysis (C) Signup and view all the answers

What do critics argue is a limitation of rational choice theory?

It is too simplistic and cannot explain complex social structures (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a underlying principle of rational choice theory?

That people are motivated by self-interest in their interactions (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between rational choice theory and exchange theory?

Rational choice theory is a general theory, while exchange theory is a specific application of rational choice theory to social interaction (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of the assumption of completeness in rational choice theory?

That people may not be able to rank all their options (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a implication of the assumption of independence of irrelevant alternatives in rational choice theory?

That the relative ranking of options is independent of the presence of additional options (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a way to describe the formation of human relationships according to exchange theory?

Through a process of cost-benefit analysis (C) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Feminist Theory

Focuses on gender inequalities in patriarchal capitalist societies
Men occupy governing positions, while women are marginalized, objectified, oppressed, subordinated, and discriminated against
Both women and men are forced into socially acceptable gender-based roles, but men are not subjugated
Examines the effects of socially constructed gender differences and gender inequalities
Views women's subordination as an inherent feature of society due to institutional structures
Also explores gender oppression, where women are viewed as unequal and even abused
Aims to shed light on gender inequalities to achieve equality, not to replace men at the top of the social ladder

Rational Choice Theory

States that people always make rational choices, weighing the costs and benefits to maximize their outcome
Three main assumptions: completeness (all actions can be ranked), transitivity (consistent rankings), and independence of irrelevant alternatives (additional choices don't change relative rankings)
Aims to explain how people choose the best possible option for themselves

Exchange Theory

Applies rational choice theory to social interaction, studying family relationships, work relationships, partner selection, and more
Assumes people behave to maximize rewards and minimize punishments, with self-interest and interdependence guiding interactions
People form relationships by analyzing interactions using cost-benefit analysis, considering subjective standards of rewards and punishments that change over time and vary between individuals
Society is comprised of these interactions, with individuals behaving according to their subjective analysis of rewards and punishments

Feminist Theory

Focuses on gender inequalities in patriarchal capitalist societies
Men occupy governing positions, while women are marginalized, objectified, oppressed, subordinated, and discriminated against
Both women and men are forced into socially acceptable gender-based roles, but men are not subjugated
Examines the effects of socially constructed gender differences and gender inequalities
Views women's subordination as an inherent feature of society due to institutional structures
Also explores gender oppression, where women are viewed as unequal and even abused
Aims to shed light on gender inequalities to achieve equality, not to replace men at the top of the social ladder

Rational Choice Theory

States that people always make rational choices, weighing the costs and benefits to maximize their outcome
Three main assumptions: completeness (all actions can be ranked), transitivity (consistent rankings), and independence of irrelevant alternatives (additional choices don't change relative rankings)
Aims to explain how people choose the best possible option for themselves

Exchange Theory

Applies rational choice theory to social interaction, studying family relationships, work relationships, partner selection, and more
Assumes people behave to maximize rewards and minimize punishments, with self-interest and interdependence guiding interactions
People form relationships by analyzing interactions using cost-benefit analysis, considering subjective standards of rewards and punishments that change over time and vary between individuals
Society is comprised of these interactions, with individuals behaving according to their subjective analysis of rewards and punishments

Feminist Theory

Focuses on gender inequalities in patriarchal capitalist societies
Men occupy governing positions, while women are marginalized, objectified, oppressed, subordinated, and discriminated against
Both women and men are forced into socially acceptable gender-based roles, but men are not subjugated
Examines the effects of socially constructed gender differences and gender inequalities
Views women's subordination as an inherent feature of society due to institutional structures
Also explores gender oppression, where women are viewed as unequal and even abused
Aims to shed light on gender inequalities to achieve equality, not to replace men at the top of the social ladder

Rational Choice Theory

States that people always make rational choices, weighing the costs and benefits to maximize their outcome
Three main assumptions: completeness (all actions can be ranked), transitivity (consistent rankings), and independence of irrelevant alternatives (additional choices don't change relative rankings)
Aims to explain how people choose the best possible option for themselves

Exchange Theory

Applies rational choice theory to social interaction, studying family relationships, work relationships, partner selection, and more
Assumes people behave to maximize rewards and minimize punishments, with self-interest and interdependence guiding interactions
People form relationships by analyzing interactions using cost-benefit analysis, considering subjective standards of rewards and punishments that change over time and vary between individuals
Society is comprised of these interactions, with individuals behaving according to their subjective analysis of rewards and punishments