Sociology: Structural Functionalism and Conflict Theory

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Which of the following best describes the focus of structural functionalism?

The organization of superstructures to maintain societal stability. (correct)

The individual's experience of anomie within society.

The ways in which societal conflict leads to change.

How institutions promote inequality and exploitation.

According to Émile Durkheim's research on suicide, which factor correlates with a lower rate of suicide?

Having strong social connections. (correct)

Living in a time of peace.

Being a Protestant.

Being unmarried.

What is 'anomie', as described in the context of structural functionalism?

The inherent stability of a capitalist society.

A state of constant conflict and competition between social groups.

The exploitation of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie.

A lack of social or ethical standards caused by a breakdown in the system. (correct)

According to conflict theory, what is the primary cause of instability and inequality in society?

The constant struggle between groups for resources and power. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main tenet of instrumental Marxism?

Institutions serve the interests of the capitalist class directly. (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to Karl Marx, which of the following best describes the relationship between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat in a capitalist society?

The bourgeoisie exploits the proletariat, leading to inequality. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A society is experiencing high rates of crime and deviance. Applying the concept of anomie, what is a likely contributing factor?

A lack of social or ethical standards. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best differentiates structural functionalism from conflict theory?

Structural functionalism sees society as stable, while conflict theory sees it as unstable due to power struggles. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Karl Marx, what is the primary reason that the proletariat will eventually rise up against the bourgeoisie?

The bourgeoisie heavily exploits the proletariat, leading to inevitable conflict. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which economic model is characterized by a lack of government intervention and minimal regulation?

Early 1900s Capitalism. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the feminist concept of 'standpoint theory' emphasize?

That our social position and experiences influence what we know. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which concept, coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, highlights the complex ways in which different aspects of one's identity intersect?

Intersectionality. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the core idea behind symbolic interactionism?

People act based on the meanings they interpret or understand, which can change over time. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does social constructionism relate to homeless individuals according to the text?

Society's values and norms construct meanings around homeless individuals, influencing how others interact with them, such as assuming they will use money for drugs. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is 'moral inequality' according to Rousseau?

Differences in wealth, power, status, or class that result from one person benefitting at the expense of another. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is Adam Smith's view on economic inequality in a capitalist system?

Inequality is unavoidable and must be accepted because capitalism is the best economic system. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Antonio Gramsci, why has a proletarian revolution not occurred?

Because the dominant groups have won popular consent through cultural institutions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the negative consequences of unregulated capitalism?

A stock market crash leading to the Great Depression. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does Ralf Dahrendorf believe regarding overthrowing capitalism?

That it is very difficult because everyone benefits from it in some way. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is 'hegemony' as described by Antonio Gramsci?

The dominant group winning consent of the masses through cultural means. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to Max Weber, what would likely happen if a communist system replaced capitalism?

Capitalist power would just shift to the government elites. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between globalization and economic inequality in Canada, as explained in the text?

Globalization has decreased jobs in Canada in areas like manufacturing, contributing to inequality. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'taking the role of the other,' as described by Mead within symbolic interactionism?

Understanding and empathizing with other people's perspectives. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key concern regarding corporate tax policy?

Corporations manipulate pricing to indirectly pass their tax burden onto consumers. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a core argument of the revised poor laws, influenced by Adam Smith's thinking?

Government aid encourages laziness, hindering economic productivity. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a central belief within radical feminism?

The patriarchy is the primary source of gender inequality. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the first wave of feminism (suffrage movement)?

Gaining recognition as people, not as an extension of men or property. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How did no-fault divorce impact women during the second wave of feminism?

It allowed women to get a divorce without needing a reason. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of critique within the third wave of feminism?

It recognizes that the changes made did not include marginalized women. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What core idea related to intersectionality did Kimberle Crenshaw introduce?

How multiple social identity factors intertwine to create more complex, interdependent systems of oppression. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Joan Acker, what key area has feminist movement not adequately interrogated:

Issues related to the distribution of opportunities and resources. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of production (paid work), what specific point is made about gender inequalities?

Women may work, but they often face lower wages and limited power in decision-making. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'double shift' refer to in relation to reproduction (domestic roles)?

Women taking on both paid employment and unpaid domestic responsibilities. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary issue with current employment insurance programs?

They give men more benefits than women due to women doing more unpaid work. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP), what factor contributes to gender inequality, as discussed in this text?

Women's unpaid domestic work means they often haven't met the required paid hours to receive the CPP. (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to Risman's theory, how should one understand gender at the 'individual level'?

How individuals internalize societal expectations and 'do' gender in their daily activities. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a main consequence of Canada's tax policy of limiting the highest tax rate to 30%?

The elitist upper class pays the same percentage as the upper class, despite earning significantly more. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reasoning behind the initial implementation of poor laws?

That if everyone is poor, it is not the individuals fault, but part of a system. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to West and Zimmerman's dramaturgical theory, what is the nature of gender?

A dynamic performance shaped during social interactions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Freud's explanation of the patriarchy?

It stems from societal influence on men to seek a partner similar to their mothers yet one they can control. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How are gender roles primarily perpetuated through the process of socialization?

Through the adoption of scripts of how to act, that are taught by family, peers, school and media. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of how gender is reinforced at the interactional level?

Men dominating conversations in group settings. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of the 'motherhood gene' represent in the context of gender roles?

A cultural expectation that all women desire and are biologically suitable for motherhood. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Structural Functionalism

Explains how societal structures maintain stability.
Superstructures (institutions) work together for long-term societal benefit.
Institutions fulfill roles, like education, to promote stability.
Example: A "tower of cans" analogy shows how interconnected structures maintain stability; removing one can destabilizes the whole.
Émile Durkheim: Studied suicide rates in France to uncover societal factors influencing behavior.
Four factors correlated with higher suicide rates: being male, unmarried, living during peacetime, and being Protestant.
These correlations suggest a lack of social integration and cohesion.
Anomie: Normlessness or ambiguous behavioral expectations leading to social issues.

Conflict Theory

Argues that society is inherently unstable due to competition for resources and power.
Instrumental Marxism: Institutions directly support capitalist interests.
Karl Marx: Analyzed social classes (bourgeoisie and proletariat).
Bourgeoisie: Wealthy elite controlling resources.
Proletariat: Working class, essential to capitalism but exploited.
Capitalism alienates individuals: from each other, the products of labor.
Marx predicted a proletariat revolution leading to communism.
Communism: Classless society with shared resources based on individual needs and abilities.
Political and Economic Theorization:
- Early 20th century: Limited government intervention in capitalism.
- 1940s: Government intervention response to economic crisis (Great Depression)
- 1970s: Regulated capitalism, increased government involvement.
- Late 1970s: Shift to neoliberalism – decreased government regulation.

Feminist Sociology

Extends conflict theory to examine gender inequality.
Challenges previous sociological theories dominated by male perspectives.
Standpoint theory: Knowledge shaped by social position, challenging objectivity.
Intersectionality: Interconnected identities (race, class, gender) creating unique experiences and oppressions.
Kimberlé Crenshaw: Coined the term "intersectionality."

Symbolic Interactionalism

Micro-level theory explaining society through social interactions.
Individuals act based on interpretations of their environment.
Meanings vary based on individual experiences & perspectives.
Weber: Majority perceptions shape individual views.
Mead: Socialization affects ability to adopt others' perspectives.

Variant of symbolic interactionism.
Social interactions create meaning for concepts.
Example: Societal meanings of homelessness influence interactions and support structures.

Long-term differences in opportunities, rights, and privileges impact individuals.

Early Philosophers on Economic Inequality

Rousseau: Analyzed the origin of inequality, distinguishing between natural and moral inequalities.
Adam Smith: Advocated for unregulated capitalism, associating inequality with its inherent operation.
Karl Marx: Critiqued capitalism for exploitation and inequality, advocating for communism to resolve it.

Why is there Economic Inequality in Canada?

Globalization: Manufacturing job loss, cheaper imports but decreased domestic jobs.
Technology: Automation replacing human labor.
Tax policy: Inheritance, corporate, and executive compensation policies.
Poverty in Canada: Early responses had poor laws, revised poor laws, and institutions like workhouses and poor houses.

Gender and Inequality

Liberal feminism: Advocates for equal rights and opportunities.
Socialist feminism: Links gender inequality with capitalism.
Radical feminism: Emphasizes patriarchy as the root of inequality.
Feminism Timelines/Waves:
- First Wave: Suffrage movement.
- Second Wave: Focus on equal opportunities within societal structures.
- Third Wave: Addressing intersectionality in gender norms.
- Fourth Wave: Focusing on sexual violence against women.

Production and Reproduction

Joan Acker: Addresses how feminist movements partially addressed production and reproduction but not distribution of benefits.
Production: Paid labor, issues of wages and power.
Reproduction: Unpaid work, imbalance in responsibilities.
Gender Inequality in Canada: Distribution of income, taxation, social programs (daycare, employment insurance, pension plans)

Additional Perspectives

Riman's theory: Gender as a complex social structure with individual, interactional, and institutional levels.
West & Zimmerman: Gender is performed and maintained in interactions, not fixed.
Freud: Psychoanalytic perspective on development of gender roles.

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Description

This quiz delves into the principles of Structural Functionalism and Conflict Theory. It covers key concepts such as societal structures, stability, and the impact of competition for resources. Explore the insights of Émile Durkheim and Karl Marx on social behavior and class dynamics.