Sociology Theories: Functionalism vs. Conflict Theory

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is a major criticism of the functionalism perspective?

It does not explain social change well (correct)

It focuses on power differentials

It explains social change well

It emphasizes the importance of shared values

What is the primary focus of Conflict Theory?

The role of dysfunction in maintaining social order

The importance of shared values in society

The competition for limited resources among groups (correct)

Social patterns that benefit all groups

According to Karl Marx, what is the primary source of conflict in society?

Racial inequality

Economic issues and conflict between classes (correct)

Gender inequality

Political inequality

What is a key aspect of Max Weber's perspective on conflict?

The consideration of other inequalities, such as race and gender, in addition to economic issues Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of Conflict Theory?

It neglects the significance of shared values and stability over time Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'motherhood penalty' related to?

Barriers to women's advancement in the workplace Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept that men often receive a pay increase after having a child?

The fatherhood premium Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the idea that women face barriers to reaching high positions in companies?

The glass ceiling Signup and view all the answers

What is race considered to be in the context of society?

A social construct Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of bureaucratic ritualism?

Preoccupation with rules and regulations Signup and view all the answers

What is true about racial categories?

They are nationally and historically specific Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between crime and deviance?

Crime is a type of deviance, but not all deviance is crime Signup and view all the answers

According to Robert Merton's Strain theory, what influences whether a person conforms or deviates?

Access to socially acceptable goals Signup and view all the answers

Why is geography important to consider when studying genetic variation?

Because it affects health outcomes and disease etiology Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the Control theory of deviance?

The role of social bonds in reducing deviance Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument of the Conflict theory of deviance?

Laws and social norms are used by those in power to maintain their position Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which people learn deviant behavior from those around them?

Differential association Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of the scientific method in research?

To ensure objective and accurate research Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a smaller set of subjects who represent the population of interest in a study?

Sample Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using longitudinal data in sociology research?

It allows for a better understanding of cause and effect relationships Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a relationship between two variables that is caused by a third variable?

Spurious correlation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary ethical principle violated in the Tuskegee syphilis experiment?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the physical objects within a society that symbolize cultural ideas?

Material culture Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the moral views and principles of a society?

Mores Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a statement about the relationship between different variables?

Hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of taking an abstract concept and creating a measure to examine it?

Operationalization Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a research design that involves systematically observing people in a natural setting?

Field research Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of an economy in a society?

To manage a society's resources and goods Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which individuals become isolated or removed from society, work, or sense of self?

Alienation Signup and view all the answers

What is the type of economy characterized by private ownership and the drive to produce profit and wealth?

Capitalist economy Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the social institutions that create a sense of common identity and shared meaning among members?

Religion Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept that describes the benefits of dividing tasks among individuals to increase productivity and efficiency?

Division of labor Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the condition in which individuals are dependent on others to perform specialized tasks and produce goods and services?

Economic interdependence Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Critiques and Theories of Society

Major criticism of functionalism: Often overlooks social change and individual agency, assuming that all societal functions contribute positively to stability.
Primary focus of Conflict Theory: Examines the struggles for power and resources between social classes, emphasizing inequality and social conflict.
Karl Marx's view on conflict: Identified capitalism as the main source of societal conflict, stemming from the exploitation of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie.
Max Weber's perspective on conflict: Emphasized that conflict arises not only from economic factors but also from social status and political power dynamics.
Criticism of Conflict Theory: May oversimplify social dynamics by focusing primarily on class struggle, neglecting other forms of social conflict such as race, gender, and religion.

'Motherhood penalty': Refers to the economic disadvantages women face in the workplace after having children, including wage gaps and reduced career opportunities.
Pay increase for men post-childbirth: Often described as the "fatherhood bonus," where men may receive raises or promotions after becoming fathers.
Barriers for women in high positions: Termed as the "glass ceiling," a metaphor for an invisible barrier preventing women from reaching top leadership roles.
Race in society: Considered a social construct that influences people's identities, experiences, and interactions, rather than a strictly biological category.

Bureaucracy and Deviance

Primary concern of bureaucratic ritualism: Focuses on adherence to rules and procedures at the expense of efficiency and meaningful outcomes in organizations.
Racial categories: Found to be fluid and socially defined, lacking a definitive biological basis.
Key difference between crime and deviance: Crime involves violation of laws, while deviance refers to behavior that diverges from societal norms.

Theories of Deviance

Robert Merton's Strain theory: Posits that societal pressures shape whether individuals conform to norms or engage in deviance based on their access to legitimate means.
Importance of geography in genetic variation: Geographic factors shape the diversity of genetic traits across populations due to isolation and environmental pressures.
Control theory of deviance: Focuses on the mechanisms that maintain social order and discourage deviant behavior, emphasizing the role of social bonds.
Main argument of Conflict theory of deviance: Argues that deviance arises from social inequality and the power dynamics that define what is considered deviant.

Research and Ethics

Social learning theory: The process through which individuals acquire deviant behavior by interacting with others who engage in such behavior.
Main goal of the scientific method: To establish reliable and valid findings through systematic observation, experimentation, and analysis.
Sample definition: A smaller set of subjects that represents the broader population of interest in research studies.
Advantage of longitudinal data: Allows researchers to observe changes over time, providing insights into trends and causal relationships.

Variables and Ethics in Research

Relationship influenced by third variable: Known as a spurious relationship, where the correlation between two variables exists due to the influence of another variable.
Ethical principle violated in Tuskegee experiment: Violated informed consent, as participants were not fully informed about the study and were denied treatment for syphilis.
Cultural symbols: Represented by physical objects within a society that embody cultural ideas and meanings.
Moral views of a society: Described as societal ethics or values that guide behavior and determine what is considered right or wrong.
Statement of variables' relationship: Referred to as a hypothesis, stating proposed connections between different variables.
Process of measuring abstract concepts: Known as operationalization, creating specific measures to evaluate broader concepts.
Research design for natural observation: Called ethnography, involving systematic observation of people in their natural environments.

Economy and Specialization

Primary function of an economy: To allocate resources and produce goods and services to meet the needs of a society.
Process of social isolation: Described as alienation, where individuals feel disconnected from society, work, or their sense of self.
Private ownership economy: Refers to capitalism, characterized by private control of production and the goal to generate profit.
Social institutions creating identity: Known as cultural institutions, they foster a sense of shared identity and common meaning among community members.
Concept of task division benefits: Represented as division of labor, which enhances productivity and efficiency by allowing individuals to specialize.
Dependency condition in the economy: Termed as economic interdependence, highlighting how individuals rely on others for the completion of specialized tasks and production.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your understanding of two fundamental sociology theories: Functionalism and Conflict Theory. Learn about their differences and similarities, and how they explain social structures and inequalities.