What is sociology?

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First topic.

25 Terms

1

Nature

An innate behaviour.

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2

Nurture

Our upbringing in society and how this shapes our behaviour.

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3

What do biologists argue about our behaviour?

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

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4

What do sociologists argue about our behaviour?

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

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5

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.

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6

Culture

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

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7

Values.

Values are general principles or goals.

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8

Norms.

The specific rules that govern behaviour in particular situations.

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9

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.

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10

Socialisation.

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

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11

Primary socialisation

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

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12

Secondary socialisation.

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

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13

Ascribed status.

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

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14

Achieved status

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

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15

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.

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16

Structural view

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

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17

Social view

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

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18

Value consensus

Harmony and agreement among its members about basic values.

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19

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.

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20

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.

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21

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.

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22

Traditional society

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

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23

Modern society

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

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24

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.

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