Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the main goal of a society according to functionalism?
What is the main goal of a society according to functionalism?
- To promote conflict and change
- To come to an equilibrium and stabilize (correct)
- To create institutions that are beneficial to the government
- To fulfill the needs of individuals
What happens to institutions in a society when it loses stability, according to functionalism?
What happens to institutions in a society when it loses stability, according to functionalism?
- They remain the same and try to resist change
- They completely change to adapt to the new situation
- They are abolished and new ones are created
- They change only when absolutely necessary to regain stability (correct)
What is the focus of conflict theory?
What is the focus of conflict theory?
- How individuals interact with each other in a society
- How societies change and adapt through conflict (correct)
- How institutions fulfill the needs of society
- How societies maintain stability over time
What is the result of conflicting viewpoints and beliefs in a society, according to conflict theory?
What is the result of conflicting viewpoints and beliefs in a society, according to conflict theory?
What is an example of an institution adapting to change, according to functionalism?
What is an example of an institution adapting to change, according to functionalism?
According to conflict theory, what is the result of the conflict between two opposing sides in a society?
According to conflict theory, what is the result of the conflict between two opposing sides in a society?
What is the main idea behind social constructionism?
What is the main idea behind social constructionism?
Which social theory focuses on how individuals behave and the meanings they give to things?
Which social theory focuses on how individuals behave and the meanings they give to things?
What is an example of social constructionism in modern society?
What is an example of social constructionism in modern society?
What is the main difference between symbolic interactionism and the other social theories?
What is the main difference between symbolic interactionism and the other social theories?
What is the primary outcome of the conflict between opposing sides in a society according to conflict theory?
What is the primary outcome of the conflict between opposing sides in a society according to conflict theory?
What is the main difference between social constructionism and symbolic interactionism?
What is the main difference between social constructionism and symbolic interactionism?
What is the primary focus of functionalism in regards to society?
What is the primary focus of functionalism in regards to society?
What is the result of the agreement among individuals in a society to give something value, according to social constructionism?
What is the result of the agreement among individuals in a society to give something value, according to social constructionism?
What is the primary way in which individuals create their own society, according to symbolic interactionism?
What is the primary way in which individuals create their own society, according to symbolic interactionism?
What is the primary outcome of the conflict between two opposing sides in a society according to conflict theory?
What is the primary outcome of the conflict between two opposing sides in a society according to conflict theory?
According to social constructionism, what gives value to something?
According to social constructionism, what gives value to something?
What is the main focus of symbolic interactionism?
What is the main focus of symbolic interactionism?
What is an example of social constructionism in modern society?
What is an example of social constructionism in modern society?
What do the three social theories (functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism) have in common?
What do the three social theories (functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism) have in common?
Study Notes
Functionalism
- Examines how a society exists and survives over time
- Aims to achieve equilibrium and stabilize
- Social institutions remain constant, only changing when necessary to maintain stability
- Institutions fulfill the needs of society
- Example: Business institutions adapting to online shopping boom
Conflict Theory
- Focuses on how societies change through conflict
- Conflicting viewpoints and beliefs lead to polarization
- Eventual agreement is necessary to avoid societal upheaval
- Example: 19th century European class struggle between workers and factory owners
- Conflict leads to the creation of a new, synthesized society
Social Constructionism
- Explores what a society is, rather than how it exists or changes
- Everything in society is created by societal agreement
- Value is given to things based on collective agreement
- Example: Money has no inherent value, but is given value by society
- Society is shaped by these agreements and values
Symbolic Interactionism
- Focuses on individuals and their behavior
- Examines the meanings people give to things
- Meanings are based on past experiences and societal influence
- Individuals act based on these meanings, which can change over time
- Example: A tree can have multiple meanings to different people
- We interact with the world to give it meaning, creating our future society
Functionalism
- Examines how a society exists and survives over time
- Aims to achieve equilibrium and stabilize
- Social institutions remain constant, only changing when necessary to maintain stability
- Institutions fulfill the needs of society
- Example: Business institutions adapting to online shopping boom
Conflict Theory
- Focuses on how societies change through conflict
- Conflicting viewpoints and beliefs lead to polarization
- Eventual agreement is necessary to avoid societal upheaval
- Example: 19th century European class struggle between workers and factory owners
- Conflict leads to the creation of a new, synthesized society
Social Constructionism
- Explores what a society is, rather than how it exists or changes
- Everything in society is created by societal agreement
- Value is given to things based on collective agreement
- Example: Money has no inherent value, but is given value by society
- Society is shaped by these agreements and values
Symbolic Interactionism
- Focuses on individuals and their behavior
- Examines the meanings people give to things
- Meanings are based on past experiences and societal influence
- Individuals act based on these meanings, which can change over time
- Example: A tree can have multiple meanings to different people
- We interact with the world to give it meaning, creating our future society
Functionalism
- Examines how a society exists and survives over time
- Aims to achieve equilibrium and stabilize
- Social institutions remain constant, only changing when necessary to maintain stability
- Institutions fulfill the needs of society
- Example: Business institutions adapting to online shopping boom
Conflict Theory
- Focuses on how societies change through conflict
- Conflicting viewpoints and beliefs lead to polarization
- Eventual agreement is necessary to avoid societal upheaval
- Example: 19th century European class struggle between workers and factory owners
- Conflict leads to the creation of a new, synthesized society
Social Constructionism
- Explores what a society is, rather than how it exists or changes
- Everything in society is created by societal agreement
- Value is given to things based on collective agreement
- Example: Money has no inherent value, but is given value by society
- Society is shaped by these agreements and values
Symbolic Interactionism
- Focuses on individuals and their behavior
- Examines the meanings people give to things
- Meanings are based on past experiences and societal influence
- Individuals act based on these meanings, which can change over time
- Example: A tree can have multiple meanings to different people
- We interact with the world to give it meaning, creating our future society
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Description
Learn about the functionalism theory in sociology, which explains how societies exist and survive over time. This theory states that a society is always trying to come to an equilibrium and stabilize.
