What is sociology?

First topic.

Nature

An innate behaviour.

Nurture

Our upbringing in society and how this shapes our behaviour.

What do biologists argue about our behaviour?

They mostly argue that our behaviour is shaped by natural instincts.

What do sociologists argue about our behaviour?

Sociologists argue that not all of our behaviour is fixed biologically.

Give one example of evidence to support the sociologist’s arguments.

Women are said to have a maternal instinct, however some choose to abandon or abuse their children. Over a fifth of all women in Britain choose not to have children at all.

Culture

All things that are learned and shared by a society or group of people.

Values.

Values are general principles or goals.

Norms.

The specific rules that govern behaviour in particular situations.

Define sanctions, and what is it a form of?

Anything that encourages people to conform to norms. It is a form of social control. Positive and negative sanctions.

Socialisation.

Learning all the things that are necessary for us to be accepted as full members of society.

Primary socialisation

Takes place in early years of life and occurs largely within the family, where we learn language, basic skills and norms.

Secondary socialisation.

Takes place later, at school and in wider society such as platforms like the media and TV.

Ascribed status.

Based on fixed characteristics that we are born with and cannot normally change, e.g ethnicity.

Achieved status

Gained through our own efforts, e.g promotion at work.

What is social stratification and hierarchy?

Understanding how socialisation contributes to the perpuation of social hierarchies such as class, gender, ethnicity and how these hierarchies relate to status.

Structural view

Being entirely shaped by society’s structure, behave according to society’s norms.

Social view

Having free will and choice, emphasises power of individuals to create society through actions and interactions.

Value consensus

Harmony and agreement among its members about basic values.

What is the functionalist view?

• Society based on value consensus, held by a shared culture.-

• Acts like a biological organism, each part of society contributes to the development and wellbeing of society.

What is the marxist view|?

• Society based on class conflict, bourgeoisie against proletariat.

• Bourgeoisie exploit the proletariat and profit from their labour.

• Marx believed the working class would overthrow capitalism and create a communist society (communism).

• Social institutions maintain capitalism.

What is the feminist view?

• Disagree with functionalists, agree with marxists.

• Believe there is class conflict but conflict between gender, not class.

• Regard society as patriarchal and see family as unequal and oppressive.

• Religion reinforces that men are superior, e.g women not allowed to speak in church.

• Media reinforce this through portrayal of women as housewives as an example.

• Economy oppresses women by unequal pay.

Traditional society

Rural-agricultural society where there was little social change, strong sense of community, religion dominated the view of everyone.

Modern society

Urban-industrial society with social and technological change, belief in science. Inequalities present.

Post-modern society

Post-industrial, change rapid but uneven, loss of faith in the ability of science to bring about progress. Information technology and media play a central role. Single global economy + culture, individual identity more diverse.