MCAT Psych/Soc: Major Sociological Theories

macro sociology

top-down; focuses on large-scale social structures and drills down to how these structures affect groups/individuals

micro sociology

bottom-up; focuses on the smallest building blocks of society (one-on-one interactions) to build up to larger structures

functionalism

In macro sociology, individual parts work together to maintain solidarity, order, balance, and social stability. comparative to living organisms

dynamic equilibrium

many independent parts working together to maintain stability. healthy societies can achieve and maintain this equilibrium, unhealthy ones would not.

Functionalism Theorist

Durkheim

common consciousness

the beliefs, morals, and ideas that are the social facts in a given society

anomie

a mismatch between the wider social standards and the standards of individuals

manifest function

intended and recognized consequence of some element of society

latent function

the unrecognized and unintended consequences of any social pattern

conflict theory

macro, society is a competition for limited resources (wealth, power, and prestige) and individuals and groups compete for social, political, and material power

class struggle

conflict between social or economic classes (especially between the capitalist and proletariat classes)

Conflict Theorists

Karl Marx and Max Weber

socialism

an economic system in which most means of production are collectively owned in order to benefit all members of society equally

class consciusness

members of a subordinate social class are actively aware of themselves as a group that is exploited by the wealthy

false consciusness

lack of class consciousness, see themselves as individuals

Max Weber Conflict theory

said he did not believe the collapse of capitalism was inevitable but argued that several factors moderate people's reaction to inequality

rationalization

societies trend toward increasing efficiency and away from traditional religious standards, promotes impersonal bureaucracies

symbolic interactionism

a micro-level theory in which shared meanings, orientations, and assumptions form the fundamental motivations behind people's actions

symbols

culturally derived social objects that have shared meaning, which is created and maintained through social interaction

Social Interactionism Theorist

Mead

generalized other

the organized and generalized attitude of a large social group

Mead's "I" and "Me"

"me": develops through interactions with others and consists of our interpretation of how the generalized other views us

"I": response to the "me", one's personal identity and individuality

looking glass self

The self is shaped by others' thoughts and opinions, interactions with others, and perceptions. Individuals shape themselves based on others' perceptions to confirm their expectations.

social constructionism

reality is not inherent but socially constructed

social construct

anything that appears natural or obvious to the people who accept it a bit is largely the invention of a given society; it changes with time and culture. (ex: childhood). can be a macro or micro-level theory

socialization

the process by which individuals internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of a given society and learn to function as members of that society and learn to function as a member of that society

rational choice theory

Individuals make decisions by comparing the costs and benefits: max benefits and minimize costs

exchange theory

individuals respond to rewards and punishments; max rewards, minimize punishments

feminist theory

a variety of perspectives on the treatment of women vs men in society. can be either macro or micro

first wave feminism

focused on women's suffrage (vote, own property, equal rights)

second wave feminism

focused on women's social liberties (equality, equal pay, reproductive rights)

third wave feminism

focused on intersectionality: how different social identities interact

glass escalator

the way men are often fast-tracked to advanced positions when entering "pink-collar" professions

glass ceiling

a metaphor representing an invisible barrier that prevents a given demographic from rising beyond a certain level