Foundation 9: Society and Culture

Functionalism

Looks at society as a whole and how institutions that make up the society adapt to keep society stable and functioning

Conflict theory

Society is made of institutions that benefit powerful nad create inequalities. Large groups are at odds until conflict is resolved

Symbolic Interactionsm

Focuses on the individual and significance they give to objects, events, and symbols

Social constructionism

Argues that people actively shape their reality through social interactions/agreement - it’s something that is constructed, not inherent

Weak social constructionism is dependent on:

Brute facts and institutional facts

Strong social constructionism is dependent on:

Language and social habits

Rational Choice Theory

individuals act as logical, self-interested actors who weigh potential costs and benefits to maximize personal utility or satisfaction

Exchange theory

Application of rational choice theory to social interactions

Life course theory

Asing is a social, psychological, and biological process that begins and continues from the time you were born until death

Activity theory

Older adults experience greater life satisfaction when they remain socially active and maintain relationships and activities.

Disengagement Theory

Aging involves a gradual withdrawal between older adults and society, as they reduce social roles and interactions and society reduces its expectations of them.

Continuity Theory

People try to maintain same basic structure throughout their lives overtime