Soc Lesson 3

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of a theoretical framework in sociology?

To analyze data and gather facts

To predict future social trends

To create social policies

To integrate findings into a broader explanation of social phenomena (correct)

What are the three main theoretical approaches used by sociologists?

Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Social Constructionism

Symbolic Interactionism, Functionalism, and Postmodernism

Feminism, Post Colonialism, and Post Modernism

Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism, and Functional Analysis (correct)

Which level of analysis focuses on societal trends on a large scale?

Micro level

Meso level

Macro level (correct)

All of the above

What would symbolic interactionists focus on when studying homeless individuals?

The verbal and nonverbal communication of homeless individuals Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the three theoretical approaches?

The level of analysis used Signup and view all the answers

Which theoretical approach focuses on the social interaction between individuals?

Symbolic Interactionism Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a theory in sociology?

To explain the connections between 'facts' Signup and view all the answers

Which level of analysis would functionalists use to study homelessness?

Macro level Signup and view all the answers

What is the key concept emphasized by conflict theorists?

Groups vying for limited resources Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with creating conflict theory?

Karl Marx Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concern of feminist conflict theorists?

The disparities between men and women in history Signup and view all the answers

According to Marx, what is the key to understanding human history?

Class antagonism Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the small group of capitalists who control the means of production?

Bourgeoisie Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way that capitalists maintain their power, according to Marx?

Through the use of state power Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the working class, according to Marx?

Proletariat Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of Marx's critique of capitalism?

That it is based on exploitation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of conflict theory today?

The struggle between different groups in society Signup and view all the answers

Who noted that people in close relationships are more likely to experience conflict?

Lewis Coser Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental tenet of symbolic interactionism?

That symbols, or objects to which we attribute meaning, are crucial to understanding our environment and interactions Signup and view all the answers

Who are the two prominent sociologists associated with the development of symbolic interactionism?

Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead Signup and view all the answers

What would be the outcome of a society without symbols?

Human relationships would not be much different from those of animals Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the theoretical perspective known as feminism?

The impact of gender on social inequality Signup and view all the answers

What is the main emphasis of postmodernism as a theoretical perspective?

The role of language and discourse in shaping social structures Signup and view all the answers

Why is it necessary to combine different theoretical perspectives in studying human behavior?

To provide a more complete and nuanced understanding of social life Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of applying different theoretical perspectives to the study of divorce?

Different perspectives offering unique insights into the phenomenon of divorce Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of a society without symbols, according to Henslin?

The absence of war Signup and view all the answers

What might functionalists focus on when examining the issue of unemployment?

The decline of unskilled labour and the outsourcing of jobs Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental idea behind functional analysis?

Society is composed of interconnected parts that work together Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with developing the concept of 'functions' in functionalism?

Robert Merton Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the negative effects of people's behavior in a social system?

Dysfunctions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of understanding the functions of a social system, according to functionalists?

To understand how society maintains equilibrium Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the unintended consequences of a policy or action, which can aid in system adjustment?

Latent functions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between conflict theorists and functionalists?

Their emphasis on the conflict between socioeconomic classes Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the planned outcomes of a policy or action, which benefit a particular component of a system?

Manifest functions Signup and view all the answers

How do functionalists view the relationship between the components of society?

As interconnected and interdependent parts Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the unintended consequences of a policy or action, which can harm a social system?

Latent dysfunctions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology

Sociology involves integrating experiences into a framework of roughly comparable concepts to make sense of existence.
A theory is a broad assertion about how certain elements of the world fit together and function.
The three main theories used by sociologists are conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, and functional analysis.

Levels of Analysis: Micro, Macro, Meso

The depth of analysis used by theoretical approaches differs:
- Functionalists and conflict theorists focus on the macro level, looking at societal trends on a big scale.
- Symbolic internationalists focus on the micro level, examining social interaction between individuals.

Structural Functionalism

The fundamental tenet of functional analysis is that society functions as a cohesive whole composed of interconnected pieces.
Society is seen as a living thing, with each component working together to maintain equilibrium.
Functionalists contend that to comprehend society, we must consider both its structure and function.

Robert Merton and Functionalism

Robert Merton rejected the biological analogy but upheld the core of functionalism.
Merton coined the term "functions" to describe how people's actions have positive outcomes (manifest functions) and negative outcomes (dysfunctions).
Functions can be latent or manifest, and latent dysfunctions can be unplanned negative outcomes.

Conflict Theory

Conflict theory emphasizes that society is made up of groups vying for limited resources.
Karl Marx saw class antagonism as the key to understanding human history.
In industrialized nations, the bourgeoisie (capitalists) exploit the proletariat (workers), leading to conflict.
Many sociologists use conflict theory to study how conflicting interests permeate every level of society.

Symbolic Interactionism

The fundamental tenet of symbolic interactionism is that understanding how we see the environment and interact with each other depends on symbols (objects to which we attribute meaning).
Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead created this viewpoint.
Symbols are essential for defining relationships and society as a whole.

Contemporary Theoretical Approaches

Feminism emphasizes the significance of gender in determining social connections and systems.
Post colonialism emphasizes the significance of colonialism and its lasting effects on social structures and relationships.
Postmodernism emphasizes the role of language and discourse in forming social structures and relationships.
Combining different theoretical viewpoints provides a more complete picture of social life.

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Description

Explore different theoretical perspectives in sociology, including levels of analysis, structural functionalism, conflict, symbolic interactionism, and contemporary approaches like feminism and postmodernism.