How do sociologists study society

Type of sociological theory feminism is categorized as

A conflict theory focused primarily on gender inequality.

Main focus of feminist sociology

Gender inequality, patriarchy, and the oppression of women.

Patriarchy

A system of society in which men hold greater power and women are disadvantaged.

Societal institutions where patriarchy exists according to feminists

Across institutions such as the family, education, politics, media, and the economy.

Primary ways women are disadvantaged according to feminism

Through inequalities in pay, power, and representation.

Feminist view on male violence against women

As a form of power and control linked to patriarchal society.

Liberal feminist view on the current state of patriarchy

Patriarchy still exists but is gradually declining.

How liberal feminists propose achieving gender equality

Through legal reform, education, and changing social attitudes.

Examples of legal reforms supported by liberal feminists

Equal-pay and anti-discrimination laws.

Reason liberal feminism is considered optimistic

It believes gradual reform can create greater gender equality without requiring revolutionary change.

Fundamental form of inequality according to radical feminists

Gender inequality.

Radical feminist view on the origins of patriarchy

Patriarchy predates capitalism and is not simply caused by class inequality.

Beneficiaries of patriarchy according to radical feminism

Men as a group, not just wealthy or ruling-class men.

Radical feminist view of the family institution

As a primary site of female oppression and patriarchal control.

Root cause of women's oppression according to Marxist feminism

Capitalism and class inequality.

Key difference between Marxist feminism and radical feminism

Marxist feminism emphasizes capitalism and class, whereas radical feminism emphasizes patriarchy and male power.

Role of women's unpaid domestic work in supporting capitalism

It helps maintain and reproduce the workforce without needing to be paid by employers.

Primary inequality identified by Marxist feminists

Class inequality, although patriarchy acts to reinforce women's oppression.

Major contribution of feminism to sociology

It placed gender inequality at the center of sociological analysis.

Impact of feminism outside of sociology

It has influenced legal and social changes promoting gender equality.

Examples of laws influenced by movements for gender equality

The Equal Pay Act and the Sex Discrimination Act.

Spheres of women's oppression highlighted by feminism

Both public and private life, such as workplaces and families.

Common criticism of radical feminism

It can underestimate the progress made toward gender equality.

Criticism of feminism regarding diversity among women

It is criticized for treating women as one homogeneous group, ignoring differences in class, ethnicity, and other factors.

Feminist approaches highlighting differences between groups of women

Black feminism and intersectionality.

Common criticism of Marxist feminism

It may give class too much importance compared with gender.

Functionalist criticism of feminism

It overemphasizes conflict in society and undervalues social harmony.

Core distinction between Liberal, Radical, and Marxist feminism

Liberal focus = reform; Radical focus = patriarchy; Marxist focus = capitalism/class.

Feminist branch believing legal reform reduces inequality

Liberal feminism.

Feminist branch viewing patriarchy as the fundamental problem

Radical feminism.

Feminist branch linking women's oppression to capitalism

Marxist feminism.

Four key ideas summarizing feminist sociology

Conflict $\rightarrow$ gender $\rightarrow$ patriarchy $\rightarrow$ inequality.

Marxism (Sociological Classification)

A structural conflict theory focused on class, capitalism, and inequality.

Marxist argument regarding capitalist society

Capitalism is fundamentally based on class inequality and exploitation.

Two main classes under capitalism (Marxism)

The bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

Bourgeoisie

The capitalist or owner class who own businesses and productive property.

Proletariat

The working class, who sell their labour for wages.

Exploitation of workers under capitalism

Occurs because workers produce more value through their labour than they receive in wages.

Surplus value

The value workers produce above their wages, which becomes profit for business owners.

Class struggle

Conflict between social classes resulting from their opposing economic interests.

Marxist explanation of historical change

History develops through conflict between opposing social classes.

Examples of historical class struggles

Slave vs. master, serf vs. feudal lord, and worker vs. capitalist.

False consciousness

A state where workers accept their exploitation instead of recognising their shared class interests.

Role of ideology in creating false consciousness

Institutions such as education, religion, and the media encourage workers to accept the existing capitalist system.

Means of coercive control by the ruling class

State institutions such as laws, the police, and the military.

Marx's prediction for capitalism

Its internal contradictions would eventually lead to revolution and its collapse.

System Marx predicted would replace capitalism

Communism — a classless society.

Major inequalities highlighted by Marxism

Inequalities in wealth, power, and opportunity.

Marxist link between society and individual lives

Shows how economic systems and class structures directly shape people's daily lives and opportunities.

Modern relevance of Marxism

Contemporary inequalities, such as billionaires versus low-paid workers, reflect the fundamental issues Marx analysed.

Deterministic criticism of Marxism

It suggests history follows a predictable path shaped by economic structures, leaving little room for human agency or individual action.

Criticism of Marxism regarding social stability

Overemphasises conflict while ignoring that society can also involve cooperation and consensus.

Gender-blind criticism of traditional Marxism

Focuses almost exclusively on class inequality while paying insufficient attention to patriarchy and gender division.

Historical challenges to Marx's predictions

Capitalism did not collapse as predicted, and many communist states failed or transformed significantly.

Examples of communist states used to critique Marxist theory

The Soviet Union, Eastern European states, and China.

Main strengths of Marxism

Explains inequality and power, links economic structure to individual lives, and has historically driven social change.

Main weaknesses of Marxism

It can be overly deterministic, excessively conflict- and class-focused, and historically inaccurate in its predictions.

Four key concepts summarizing Marxism

Conflict $\rightarrow$ class $\rightarrow$ capitalism $\rightarrow$ exploitation.

What type of theory is functionalism?

A structural consensus theory focused on social order and stability.

How does functionalism view society?

As a system of interconnected parts that work together to maintain stability.

What analogy does functionalism use for society?

Society is like an organism, with each institution acting like an organ.

What does it mean that institutions are interdependent in functionalism?

Institutions depend on and affect each other.

What happens if one part of society fails or changes, according to functionalism?

Other parts adapt to restore balance and stability.

What are examples of social institutions according to functionalism?

Family, education, religion, government, economy, and media.

Why do institutions exist according to functionalism?

Because they perform important functions needed by society.

What happens if an institution no longer performs a useful function?

It will eventually disappear.

What happens when society develops new needs?

New institutions may develop to meet them.

What three key concepts does functionalism emphasize?

Consensus, order, and stability.

What provides the foundation of society according to functionalism?

Shared norms and values.

Why is socialization important to functionalists?

It teaches shared norms and values, maintaining social order.

Which type of socialization is especially important to functionalists?

Primary socialization, particularly within the family.

How does deviance or social disorganization affect society according to functionalism?

It disrupts stability, forcing society to adapt and potentially causing social change.

Why was functionalism important to sociology?

It was the first major grand theory of society.

What does functionalism show about social institutions?

That institutions are interconnected and affect one another.

What are manifest functions?

The intended and recognized consequences of an institution or social action.

What are latent functions?

The unintended or less obvious consequences of an institution or social action.

What does functionalism explain well?

The functions of institutions and rituals and how socialization maintains order.

Why is functionalism criticized for overemphasizing harmony?

It can ignore conflict and inequality within society.

Why is functionalism criticized for explaining social change poorly?

It often sees change as slow and evolutionary, despite some social change being rapid.

Why is functionalism considered conservative?

It tends to defend the status quo and existing institutions.

Why is functionalism described as teleological?

It explains institutions by their current function, rather than how they originally developed.

How does functionalism differ from conflict theories?

Functionalism emphasizes consensus and stability, whereas conflict theories emphasize inequality and power struggles.

Consensus theory

A sociological perspective that views society as stable and harmonious, based on cooperation and agreement.

Glue holding society together according to consensus theory

Shared values, norms, and beliefs.

Outcomes created by cooperation in consensus theory

Social order, stability, and a sense of belonging.

Main example of a consensus theory and its key theorists

Functionalism, associated with sociologists such as Émile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons.

Conflict theory

A sociological perspective that views society as based on inequality, competing interests, and power struggles.

Cause of societal conflict according to conflict theory

Differing interests between distinct social groups leading to competition.

Effect of power in conflict theory

It enables powerful groups to dominate or suppress less powerful groups.

Two primary examples of conflict theories

Marxism (focused on class inequality) and Feminism (focused on gender inequality).

Three summary words for consensus theory

Cooperation, agreement, stability.

Three summary words for conflict theory

Competition, inequality, instability.

Key difference between consensus and conflict theories

Consensus focuses on society working through cooperation, whereas conflict focuses on inequality and struggles between groups.

Importance of the consensus/conflict distinction in sociology

It shapes how sociologists explain human behavior and social change.

What is interpretivism?

A sociological approach that starts with the individual rather than society and examines how people create society through their actions, interactions and interpretations.

Is interpretivism a macro or micro approach?

Micro. It focuses on individuals and small-scale, everyday social interactions rather than society as a whole.

How do interpretivists view human beings?

As active, conscious beings who make choices, interpret situations and act according to the meanings they give them.

Why are shared meanings important to interpretivism?

Events and actions become social because people attach and share meanings about them. Social reality is therefore created through interaction and interpretation.

How should sociologists understand human actions according to interpretivists?

They should try to see actions from the participant's perspective and understand the meanings and motivations behind their behaviour.

What is Action Theory?

The idea that human behaviour is meaningful and purposeful. People consciously act towards particular purposes or goals rather than simply responding to external social forces.