20 Questions
What is the primary focus of feminist theory?
Understanding the gender inequalities inherent to patriarchal societies
According to feminist theory, how are women often viewed in society?
As marginalized, objectified, and discriminated against
What is the main idea behind rational choice theory?
People always take rational actions, weighing the costs and benefits
What is NOT a goal of feminist theory?
To replace men at the top of the social ladder
What is an aspect of society that feminist theory examines?
The effects of gender-based roles on social situations
What is a key assumption of rational choice theory?
That people have the ability to rank all actions.
What is exchange theory primarily used to study?
Social interactions and relationships.
What is a criticism of rational choice theory and exchange theory?
That they oversimplify human interactions.
According to exchange theory, what do people primarily aim to do in their interactions?
Maximize rewards and minimize punishments.
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.
What is a fundamental aspect of rational choice theory?
Completeness, where all actions can be ranked
What is the primary application of rational choice theory in social interaction?
Exchange theory, which studies social norms
What guides human interactions according to exchange theory?
Self-interest and interdependence
How do people analyze interactions according to exchange theory?
Using a rational process of cost-benefit analysis
What do critics argue is a limitation of rational choice theory?
It is too simplistic and cannot explain complex social structures
What is a underlying principle of rational choice theory?
That people are motivated by self-interest in their interactions
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
What is a criticism of the assumption of completeness in rational choice theory?
That people may not be able to rank all their options
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
What is a way to describe the formation of human relationships according to exchange theory?
Through a process of cost-benefit analysis
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
Learn about feminist theory, a macro-level perspective on society, focusing on gender inequalities in patriarchal capitalist societies.
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