HSB4U - Schools of Thought

15 total on, Anthropology, Psychology, Economics, and Political Science

Classical

• emphasizes free markets w/min. gov't intervention - self-interest leads to overall economic well being

Keynesian

• gov't intervention necessary

• gov't spending & monetary policy = stable economy

Marxian

• focus on class struggle and exploitation of labour in capitalism

• believe in eventual transition to classless, communist society

Liberalism

• emphasizes individual rights, democracy, co-operation

Conservatism

Constructivism

• emphasizes preservation of traditional institutions, practices, values

• change must be gradual

Cultural Materialism

• focus is on role of ideas, values, norms in shaping political behaviour/institutions

• int'l relations driven by material interests AND socially constructed factors

Functionalism

• The function of beliefs and values in a society is to meet

the needs of the majority of its members.

Structural Functionalism

• Identifies/explains systems/structures that govern society

• assesses how needs of individuals met by society.

Marxism

• Economic production/material wealth = real power in society - $ & capital are basis for most relationships in society

Conflict Theory

• based on Marx

• groups with opposing interests are in conflict

• largest/most significant conflict = rich vs poor

• expanded/generalized to command class vs obey class (those with authority vs those without)

Feminism

• Patterns of social inequality are based on gender.

Symbolic Interactionism

• Individual's function in society determined by interpretation/reaction to it

• Interpretation/understanding influenced by individual life experience

Learning Theory

• Learning can alter the way an individual interprets the

world around him/her and can lead to permanent

behavioural changes. (ie Behaviourism)

• Certain behaviours both predictable and modifiable.

Psychoanalytic Theory

• Understanding the conscious and unconscious

parts of the mind to change behaviours and

motivations. - The inability to balance both parts of the mind can lead to frustration and may affect behaviour negatively.

• Human development is determined by events in early childhood.