Sociology Theories: Structural Functionalism and Symbolic Interactionism

Questions and Answers

What type of sociological theory is Structural Functionalism?

General sociological theory

According to Conflict Theory, what is the primary function of institutions in society?

To work in the interest of those with power to the detriment of those without

What is the primary focus of Symbolic Interactionism?

Socialization and ideology generation

According to Marx and Engels, what is the primary function of the nuclear family in capitalist society?

To reproduce labour power and support capitalist ideologies Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a 'dis-function' in Structural Functionalism?

Over-capacity in the airline system during holidays Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of markets in Structural Functionalism?

To integrate private greed with social need Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary criticism of institutions in Conflict Theory?

They work in the interest of those with power to the detriment of those without Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the family in capitalist society, according to Marx and Engels?

To reproduce labour power and support capitalist ideologies Signup and view all the answers

What is the main theme of John Lennon's song 'Working Class Hero'?

Social conflict and oppression of the working class Signup and view all the answers

According to Symbolic Interactionism, what is the source of the meanings people attach to things?

Social interaction and shared understanding Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of research in Symbolic Interactionism?

Easily observable face-to-face interactions Signup and view all the answers

What is the analogy used by Erving Goffman to describe human social behavior?

A theater, with humans as role-taking actors Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of Symbolic Interactionism regarding social roles and institutions?

They are constructed and maintained through social interaction Signup and view all the answers

What is the tone of John Lennon's song 'Working Class Hero'?

Angry and defiant Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea conveyed by the song 'Working Class Hero'?

The impact of social conditioning on individual behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying theoretical perspective of the song 'Working Class Hero'?

Social Conflict Theory Signup and view all the answers

According to Positivism, what is the nature of the physical and social worlds?

They are ordered, structured, and governed by physical laws Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea of Social Constructivism?

Our perception of the world is socially constructed and we can never know what is real Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of humans in Positivism?

Humans can use their rational minds to discover and describe the true nature of the physical and social worlds Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of Social Constructivism on scientific discovery?

We can never scientifically discover the real world Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between language and culture in Social Constructivism?

Language and culture shape our perception of the world Signup and view all the answers

What is the view of reality in Social Constructivism?

There is a real world, but it is interpreted through socially acquired structures Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of study in Social Constructivism?

The world of signs, symbols, language, and culture Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between ontology and epistemology?

Ontology is the study of reality, and epistemology is the study of knowledge Signup and view all the answers

Which researcher's study focused on the Protestant Work Ethic in 1904?

Max Weber Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of historical-comparative research methods?

To test theories against historical data Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Marx's perspective on the relationship between material realities and culture?

Material realities form culture Signup and view all the answers

Which research technique involves analyzing existing data, such as documents and historical records?

Secondary data analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of ontology in research?

What are the assumptions about the nature of the world? Signup and view all the answers

Which researcher's perspective is often associated with the idea that 'contradictions' within an economic system will eventually lead to its downfall?

Karl Marx Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of epistemology in research?

What can be known through research? Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following research techniques involves engaging with participants in a research setting?

Participant research Signup and view all the answers

What is a key concept in symbolic interactionism?

The notion that language and culture shape our understanding of the world Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of socially constructed ideas, according to symbolic interactionism?

We tend to only see things that make cultural sense to us and discount or are disgusted by those that don't Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of multivariate research methods?

Analyzing the relationship between variables to identify underlying patterns and causes Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a research study that used multivariate research methods?

Emile Durkheim's study on suicide rates and their relationship to variables such as income and urban living Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary assumption of interpretive research methods?

That truth is subjective and can be understood through descriptive and inductive methods Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of the research process in sociology?

Starting with an ontology and then selecting a research method Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sociological Theories

Structural Functionalism: a general sociological theory that views society as an organism with interdependent parts that work together to maintain stability and order.
- Focuses on the positive aspects of society and how different parts contribute to its functioning.
- Assumes that social institutions, such as the family and market, perform roles that maintain social order.
- Criticized for being overly descriptive and neglecting conflicts and inequalities.

Conflict Theory

Conflict Theory: a general sociological theory that emphasizes the role of conflict and power in shaping society.
- Suggests that social institutions, such as the family and market, serve the interests of those with power and wealth at the expense of those without.
- Highlights the role of inequality, particularly in terms of class, gender, and race, in shaping social relationships.

Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic Interactionism: a micro-level theory that focuses on how individuals create meaning through social interaction.
- Suggests that people act towards things based on the meaning those things have for them, and that these meanings are derived from social interaction.
- Views human behavior as more or less scripted, with individuals taking on roles and acting out scripts.

Positivism: an ontology that views the world as an objective, existing independently of human existence, governed by physical laws.
- Epistemology: humans can use their rational minds to discover and describe the true nature of the physical and social worlds.
Social Constructivism: an ontology that views our perception of the world as socially constructed, with individuals and collectives creating meaning from their experiences.
- Epistemology: all we can study is the world of signs, symbols, language, and culture, and our guesses at what others may be experiencing.

Research Methods

Multivariate research methods: truth exists, mostly deductive, often related to structural functionalism.
Interpretive research methods: truth is subjective, mostly descriptive, inductive, often related to symbolic interactionism.
Historical-Comparative research methods: using texts, documents, oral histories, and comparing these across history to form theories, then test them, then reform theories.

Big Ideas

Durkheim: human action has social causes, structures and institutions help society function.
Marx: the material, economic system drives history and creates culture, each economic system has contradictions that eventually kill it.
Weber: inequality, ideas drive history, structures and institutions help society function.

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Description

This quiz covers two key sociological theories: Structural Functionalism, a general theory that views society as an organism, and Symbolic Interactionism, which focuses on socialization and ideology generation.