Sociology: Functionalism Perspective

Questions and Answers

What is the main goal of the functionalist perspective in sociology?

To highlight the negative aspects of society

To understand how individuals interpret the meaning of their world

To promote social change and conflict

To achieve order, stability, and productivity in society (correct)

According to functionalists, what happens when the parts of society do not function well?

Social programs are expanded to address the issue

The parts of society must adapt to recapture a new order, stability, and productivity (correct)

The government intervenes to restore order

Society collapses and a new one emerges

What is a criticism of the functionalist perspective?

It focuses too much on the individual

It promotes social change and conflict

It neglects the negative functions of an event, such as divorce (correct)

It is too similar to symbolic interactionalism

What do functionalists believe holds society together?

Social consensus Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between functionalism and symbolic interactionalism?

Functionalism focuses on social structure, while symbolic interactionalism focuses on how people act according to their interpretations of the meaning of their world Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the functionalist perspective, according to critics?

It justifies the status quo and complacency on the part of society's members Signup and view all the answers

How does the functionalist perspective view the relationship between the family and the state?

The family is dependent upon the state, and the state is dependent upon the family Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of functionalist theory?

It views society as a system with interdependent parts Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of the bourgeoisie, according to Marx?

To make as much profit as possible by exploiting labor Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used by Marx to describe the wealthy bosses, owners, and managers?

Bourgeoisie Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the economic theory proposed by Karl Marx?

Marxism Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used by Marx to describe the working-class laborers?

Proletariat Signup and view all the answers

What is the predicted outcome of the class struggle, according to Marx?

The establishment of a classless society Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of class tensions, according to Marx?

The exploitation of labor by the bourgeoisie Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of the book written by Marx and Friedrich Engels that outlines the features of Marxist ideology?

The Communist Manifesto Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the relationship between the economy and the people working within the economic system, according to Marx?

Alienation Signup and view all the answers

What is the predicted outcome of the capitalist system, according to Marx?

Stagnation and eventual collapse Signup and view all the answers

What is the main criticism of the capitalist system, according to Marx?

It creates social inequality and exploits the working class Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary motivation for capitalists, according to Marx?

To make as much profit as possible Signup and view all the answers

What is the predicted outcome of the continued exploitation of workers in a capitalist system?

A proletariat revolution and the emergence of a classless society Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of private property in a communist society?

It is replaced by collective ownership of goods Signup and view all the answers

According to Marx, what is the primary source of profit for capitalists?

The theft of the hard work of laborers Signup and view all the answers

What is the predicted outcome of the struggle between social classes, according to Marxists?

A proletariat revolution and the emergence of a classless society Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of communism, according to Marx and Engels?

To create a classless society with collective ownership of goods Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the proletariat revolution, according to Marx and Engels?

The emergence of a classless society with collective ownership of goods Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of machinery in the labor process, according to Marx and Engels?

It increases the speed and efficiency of labor Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a capitalist system, according to Marx?

Private ownership and control over the means of production Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, according to Marx?

The bourgeoisie are the exploiters and the proletariat are the exploited Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of a communist society according to Marxism?

No private property or inherited wealth Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Karl Marx's conflict theory?

The conflict between the social classes: bourgeoisie and proletariat Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used by Marx to describe the lack of power, control, and fulfillment experienced by workers in capitalist societies?

Alienation Signup and view all the answers

According to Marx, what is the result of the division of labor in capitalist societies?

Increased productivity, but loss of meaning and individual character Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the proletariat, according to Marx?

To overthrow the bourgeoisie and establish a communist society Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the theory that power struggles and dynamics drive societal change?

Conflict Theory Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of alienated labor, according to Marx?

The worker feels isolated and insignificant, seeing their labor as purely for wages Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the book in which Marx and Engels outline the key features of communism?

The Communist Manifesto Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe Marx's theory of historical development?

Historical Materialism Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of the bourgeoisie's control over the means of production, according to Marx?

The exploitation of the workers by the bourgeoisie Signup and view all the answers

What is a key contribution of Marx's ideas to the field of sociology?

The development of conflict theory and its various offshoots Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of Marxism in terms of social classes?

It is overly simplistic in its understanding of social classes Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of Marxism in terms of social inequality?

It only considers social class as a factor of social inequality Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of Marxism that can be built upon to challenge and transform it?

Its ideas on social change and social reproduction Signup and view all the answers

What is a key argument against Marxism?

It lacks scientific credibility Signup and view all the answers

What is a key way that Marxism can help sociologists understand society?

By understanding the role of capitalism in shaping societal views Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of Marxist theory?

It focuses on the role of conflict in shaping society Signup and view all the answers

What is a key legacy of Marxism?

The development of conflict theory and its various offshoots Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of primitive communism according to Marx?

Lack of social class divisions Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary feature of the antiquity stage of societal development according to Marx?

Division between aristocrats and slaves Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary criticism of capitalism by Marx and Engels?

It leads to the exploitation of the poor by the rich Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of Marx's predicted advanced communist society?

To eliminate exploitation and promote social equality Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary cause of the shift from feudalism to capitalism according to Marx?

The rise of the industrial revolution Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary role of the nobles in the feudal system according to Marx?

To exploit the land occupiers Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary inspiration for Marx and Engels' work on The Communist Manifesto?

The Industrial Revolution in England Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the USSR's transition from a communist to a capitalist system?

The collapse of the Soviet Union Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary feature of the feudal system of land ownership according to Marx?

Land was owned by the nobles Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary difference between the antiquity and feudalism stages of societal development according to Marx?

One was characterized by aristocrats and slaves, while the other was characterized by landowners and occupiers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Macro Sociological Perspectives

Functionalism:
- Focuses on how society is held together by social consensus
- Believes that each aspect of society is interdependent and contributes to society's stability and functioning as a whole
- Criticized for neglecting the negative functions of an event and justifying the status quo

Marxist Perspective

Karl Marx:
- German philosopher who proposed Marxism in the 19th century
- Focused on the relationship between the economy and the people working within the economic system
- Believed that society is characterized by the struggle between the workers and those in charge
Class Struggle:
- Two social classes: the working-class laborers (proletariat) and the wealthy bourgeoisie
- Proletariat wants to end exploitation, while the bourgeoisie wants to maximize profits
- Class struggle leads to increased exploitation and eventually a proletarian revolution
Theory of Capitalism:
- Economic system in which private individuals own the means of production
- Capitalists exploit the labor of workers and pay them minimal wages
- Capitalism is an unstable system that will eventually result in a series of crises
Communism:
- Proposed by Marx and Engels as a classless society in which private property is abolished
- Means of production would be collectively owned, and society would be free from exploitation
- Key features of a communist society include no private property, steeply graduated income tax, and free public education
Conflict Theory:
- Developed by Karl Marx, it states that society is in a perpetual state of conflict due to competing interests
- Power struggles drive societal change, and the bourgeoisie hold power over the proletariat
Alienation:
- Lack of power, control, and fulfillment experienced by workers in capitalist societies
- Workers become alienated from their labor as they lose individual character and become dependent on their labor for survival
Historical Materialism:
- Theory that societies pass through stages: primitive communism, slave society, feudalism, capitalism, and advanced communism
- Each stage is characterized by a different mode of production and exploitation
Stages of Societal Development:
- 1. Primitive Communism: no social class division, people worked for subsistence
- 1. Antiquity: first stage of exploitation, aristocrats and slaves
- 1. Feudalism: exploitation of land occupiers by landowners
- 1. Capitalist Society: exploitation of the poor by the rich
- 1. Advanced Communism: a utopian society with shared resources and equality
Strengths of Marxism:
- Provides useful insights into society, particularly on conflict theory
- Helps understand how society functions and why we have certain ideas about labor
Criticisms of Marxism:
- Overly simplistic view of society being split into two social classes
- Ignores other factors that contribute to social inequality, such as race, religion, and gender

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Description

Understand the functionalist perspective in sociology, where each aspect of society is interdependent and contributes to society's stability and functioning as a whole.