1. Sociological perspectives LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives

2. Learning outcomes All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

3. What is structuralism? Structuralism relates to everything concerned with the overall structure of society, and the way social institutions, like the family, the education, the mass media and work act as a constraint on, or limit and control, individual behaviour. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

4. The behaviour of an individuals and the formation of their identities are seen as a result of social forces which are external to the individual The individual is moulded, shaped and constrained by society through socialisation, positive and negative sanctions, and material resources like income and jobs. The individual is like a puppet, whose strings are pulled by society. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

5. There are two main varieties of structuralism: Functionalism – consensus structuralism Marxism – conflict structuralism LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

6. Functionalism Functionalism sees society like a human body. In order for a human body to work effectively all parts of the body must function properly Therefore for society to work effectively all individuals within it must function and behave properly LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

7. Functionalism Functionalist argue that any society has certain functional prerequisites (certain basic needs or requirements) which must be meet for the society to survive. the production of food the care of the young the socialisation of new generations into the culture of society LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

8. According to functionalism, social institutions meet functional prerequisites, maintaining the social system and order and stability in society. Social institutions like the family, education and work are connected and function together for the benefit of society as a whole LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) Functionalism

9. Stability in society is based on socialisation into norms and values on which people can agree. These shared norms and values are known as value consensus. It is value consensus which functionalists believe maintains a peaceful society without a lot of conflict between people and groups. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) Functionalism

10. Based on what you know about functionalism, what are the weaknesses of this sociological perspective. You have 3 minutes to write down your thoughts LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) Functionalism

11. Marxism This structuralist theory is based on the work of Karl Marx (1818-1883). Marxism sees society as determined by an economic system – the means of production (land, factories and offices needed to make society’s goods) Production is privately owned and most people depend on these owners for their jobs LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

12. Marxism Marx argued that workers produce more than is needed and that this ‘extra’ is called surplus value, and provides profit for the employer. Marx said their were two basic social classes in capitalist societies: the bourgeoisie – a small class that owns means of production the proletariat – much larger group made up of workers LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

13. Marxism The proletariat as they have no means of making profit themselves are exploited by the bourgeoisie to continue making large profits for them by keeping workers pay low. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

14. Marxism LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) Bourgeoisie or capitalist class A ruling class owning the means of production, exploiting the working class and controlling their ideas through the dominant, or ruling class, ideology Bourgeoisie or capitalist class A ruling class owning the means of production, exploiting the working class and controlling their ideas through the dominant, or ruling class, ideology Proletariat or working class Non-owners of the means of production, who sells their labour to the capitalist class, are exploited by them, and are kept in a state of false consciousness by the power of the dominant ideology Proletariat or working class Non-owners of the means of production, who sells their labour to the capitalist class, are exploited by them, and are kept in a state of false consciousness by the power of the dominant ideology Exploitation and conflict

15. Marxism Class conflict Marx argued that the exploitation in the capitalist system created big differences between the two classes and this created conflict. The interests of the two classes (ruling class wanting to maintain their hold over the working and the working class wanting increased wages) would according to Marx generate class conflict, which would effect all areas of life. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

16. Marxism Dominant ideology Marx believed the ideas of the ruling or dominant class became the dominant ideology of society and that major institutions in society reflected these ideas. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

17. Marxism Marx said religion was: ‘opium of the people’ The bourgeoisie’s ownership of the mass media meant that only their ideas were put forward. The working class failed to recognise they were being brainwashed and therefore did not rebel against the bourgeoisie. Marx called this false consciousness. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

18. Marxism Marx therefore saw society as based on the exploitation of one large class by a small group of owners. Marxist see society based on conflict between rival social classes (class conflict) with social institutions serving to maintain the interests of a ruling class. Like functionalists, Marxists see the behaviour of individuals as still largely determined or moulded by social initiations. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

19. Social action/interpretivists This theory is concerned with discovering and understanding the processes by which interactions take place between individuals and small groups. It is also interested into how they define their identities, and how the reactions of others can affect their view of things and the sense of their own identity. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

20. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) Social action/interpretivists Social action theory includes the following features Society and social structures/institutions are seen as a creation of individuals There is an emphasis on the free will of people to do things and form their identities Emphasis is placed on the individual and everyday behaviour rather than the overall structure of society Interpretivists are more likely to study a juvenile gang, to see how they came to be seen as labelled as deviant, and how they themselves see the world. People’s behaviour is viewed as being driven by the meanings they give to situations, or the way they see things and therefore behave The main purpose of sociology is to study, uncover and interpret the meanings and definitions individuals give to their behaviour

21. Symbolic interactionism Symbolic interactionism is part of social action which is particularly concerned with understanding human behaviour in face to face situations, and how individuals and situations come to be defined or classified in particular ways. This is known as labelling. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

22. Symbolic interactionists are interested in the consequences for individual behaviour, since people will behave according to the way they see situations. Symbolic interactionists want to, for example, understand how and why teachers classify some students as deviant, and what happens to the behaviour of those students once they have this label. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) Symbolic interactionism

23. Feminism Feminism looks at society from the point of view of women. Feminists argue that most of mainstream sociology has been focused on the concerns of men, and has failed to deal with the concerns of women and the unequal position they have traditionally in society. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

24. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) Feminism Types of feminism Marxist feminism takes a Marxist approach to the study of women and women’s interests, and emphasises the way in which women are doubly exploited – both as workers and as women Radical feminism tends to focus on the problem of patriarchy – the system where men dominate in every way in society such as the family, the workplace and politics. For radical feminists, the main focus is on the problem of men and male- dominated society Liberal feminism wants to ensure that women have equal opportunities with men, through steps like changing to law to stop sex discrimination, removing obstacles to women’s full participation in society, and better childcare measures to allow women to be fully involved in work.

25. New Right This is more of a political philosophy than a sociological perspective. It is mainly associated with the Conservative government in Britain between 1979 and 1997. New Right thinking is made up of four main points: LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

26. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) New Right An emphasis on the individual freedom – the power of the state, especially state interference, should be reduced to a minimum Reduced spending by the state – individuals should be more self- reliant. For example state benefits should be reduced and people should be encourage to work A defence of the free market – there should be free competition between individuals, companies, schools and other institutions. For example parents should have the choice of where to send their children to school A stress on the importance of traditional institutions and values, such as traditional family life. This has led to lone parent families being viciously attacked by the New Right.

27. Postmodernism Postmodernism stresses the chaos and uncertainty in society and argues that social structures like the family or social class are breaking down. Postmodernists argue that it is nonsense to talk of an institution called the family. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

28. Postmodernism Gay and lesbian couples, multiple partners, divorce and remarriage, lone parents, step-parents and stepchildren, people living alone, people living in shared households with friends, all mean that any notion of a ‘typical’ family or ‘the family as an institution’ are absurd. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

29. Postmodernism Postmodernist say that because society is changing so constantly and so rapidly, societies can no longer be understood through general theories (Marxism, functionalism). Society has fragmented into so many different groups, interests and lifestyles that are constantly changing. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

30. Postmodernism Postmodernists believe that there are few of the social constraints which structuralists approaches identify. There is only a mass of individuals making individual choices about their lifestyles. In postmodern societies, the emphasis is on individuals as consumers making their own choices in education, health, their personal relationships and lifestyles. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)

31. Postmodernism People are free to make choices about their lifestyle, and the image they want to project to other people. Postmodern societies involve a media saturated consumer culture. LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A) LO: to be able explain and evaluate all sociological perspectives All will be able to explain how each sociological perspective sees society (E-C) Most will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all sociological perspectives (C-B) Some will be able to associate individual studies to a particular sociological perspective (B-A)