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introduction to sociological theories - Coggle Diagram
introduction to sociological theories
the theories we look at are:
functionalism
19th century theory. very positive view of society - a consensus theory. sees society as working for the benefit of the individual
functionalism is concerned with how society holds together as a whole. it is a macro approach. society needs to control and restrain selfish man, in order to protect
social order
society structures and restrains individuals behaviour for social order - therefore, it is called a
structural
perspective. remember this by comparing it to a puppet on strings. this maintains the whole - society.
the organic analogy
= all parts (institutions) are interrelated and work to maintain the whole. like a human body
post-modernism
marxism
feminism
new right
social action/interactionism
consensus approaches see agreement in society (or there would be anarchy). having a consensus of desirable behaviour (e.g. do not hurt others, politeness etc.) creates co-operation and social unity.
examples of consensus in society:
'royal baby': crowds gather at palace to celebrate birth.'
team GB chief hails 'greatest achievement in british olympics history
conflict approaches look at the basic conflicts of interest in society where some benefit more than others. from this point of view, our values are not freely agreed by everyone and are imposed on weaker sections by the more powerful
example of conflict in society
RNLI has to rescue migrants because Border Force does not have enough boats to cope' with record number of crossings - as charity hits back at Nigel Farage's claim it is a 'taxi service for illegal immigrants' (daily mail)
structuralists (macro)
they emphasise the way our behaviour is constrained and structured by social forces. society is seen as an external force directing behaviour. the individual is therefore a social construct made and controlled by society. 'society' is in us, moulding and directing us.
social action (micro)
they emphasise the way our behaviour is constrained and structured by social forces. society is seen as an external force directing behaviour. the individual is therefore a social construct made and controlled by society. 'society' is in us, moulding and directing us.
shared values