1 - Sociological Theories + Social Structures (Macro/Microsociology)

Is functionalism a macro/micro theory?

macro

Is conflict theory a macro/micro theory?

macro

Is symbolic interactionism a macro/micro theory?

micro

Is social constructionism a macro/micro theory?

macro or micro, depending on the context

Is exchange-rational theory a macro/micro theory?

micro

Is feminist theory a macro/micro theory?

micro or macro, depends on the context

functionalism:

society is a complex system, and individual parts work together to maintain solidarity, order, balance, and social stability (compares society to a living organism with many different cells/organs that work together)
- coined by Durkheim

dynamic equilibrium:

Things work out when parts of a society (individuals, families, communities, groups, organizations, etc.) work together (homeostasis)

Common consciousness:

facets of society influences various individuals to get along and fit into existing social structures

Anomie:

When there is mismatch between the wider social standards and the standards of individuals / smaller groups within that wider society

What is the opposite of anomie?

Dynamic equilibrium

Manifest function:

the intended/obvious reason; it's the main reason for societal structure

Latent function:

the unintended/less recognizable reason (ex: side effects)

Flaws in Durkheim's Functionalist theory:

1. Ignores individuals' differences (too macro). Not everybody is going to contribute cohesively, equally, or fit in this analogy
2. Ignores disharmony/conflict
3. Ignores socioeconomics / money realities

Conflict theory:

society is a competition for limited resources
Individuals and groups compete for social, political, and material power (coined by Marx)

What are conflict theorists concerned with?

IMBALANCE in wealth, power, and prestige → class struggle

Capitalism:

an economic system that encourages private ownership in order to produce profit → wealth

Socialism:

economic system where most means of production are collectively owned in order to benefit all members of society equally (in theory)

Class consciousness:

social condition in which members of a subordinate social class are actively aware of themselves as a group that is exploited by the wealthy (ex: labor unions)

False consciousness:

occurs when members of a subordinate class see themselves as individuals instead of as an exploited group; lack of such awareness (if each worker views themselves as individuals instead of an exploited group, then no revolution).

Flaws of conflict theory:

1. too focused on economics
2. Too macro (not focused on individuals)
3. It isn't inevitable that capitalism leads to socialism

Rationalization:

(coined by Weber) society is becoming less religious and more toward increasing efficiency → promotes bureaucracy

Symbolic interactionism:

(coined by Mead) ppl interact with each other based on symbols (anything that has a defined meaning)

Where are meanings derived from for symbolic interactionism?

Social interactions and adapted through individual interpretation. INDIVIDUALS use symbols to interact with one another and constructs reality

Where are symbols derived from for symbolic interactionism?

culturally derived social objects that have hsared meanings, which are created for these interactions

Generalized other:

internal understanding of how other people would look at your behaviors (internalized attitude of what others expect of you)

What is Mead's theory of "I" and "me"?

The "me" is how we believe the generalized other sees us. While the "I" thinks about what those things mean.

the "me" is our social self and the "I" is our response to the "me"

ME =

what others expect of ME.

societal expectations and social behaviors in response to that.

I =

arises in responses to the "me". One's personal identity and individuality

I = Individuality

Looking glass self:

us thinking of specific human beings and how they perceive us (ex: your parents, gf, friends, enemies, etc.)

How is one's concept of oneself developed?

1. We imagine how we must appear to others
2. We imagine what others must think about us based on their observations of us
3. We develop our feelings about ourselves based on our (truly/falsely) imagined judgments of others

Social constructionism:

society constructs reality (reality is not inherent, but is socially constructed)

Social construct:

anything that appears natural / obvious to the people that accept it, but is largely the invention of a given society

What do social constructionists believe?

there is no 'natural' reason that constructs necessarily have to be the way they are currently in any specific culture.

Socialization:

dynamic, ongoing process by which an individual internalizes the values, beliefs, and norms of their society and learns to function as a member of that society

helps explain how social constructs are maintained, reaffirmed, and passed along to future generations

How is social constructionism a micro level theory?

studies how the social constructs affect individuals

How is social constructionism a macro level theory?

studies how social constructs are changed/shifted

Exchange-rational theory:

individuals will make choices that bring the MOST BENEFIT (rewards) while minimizing cost (punishment)

Feminist theory:

looks at inequalities between men and women in society

First wave feminism:

focused on women's social liberties (gender equality, equal pay, sexual destigmatization, and reproductive rights)

Second wave feminism:

focused on women's social liberties (gender equality, equal pay, sexual destigmatization, and reproductive rights)

more focused on changing social standards

Third wave feminism:

focused on intersectionality (study of how different social identities i.e. gender, race, class interact

Glass escalator:

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

Glass ceiling:

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

Anomie is most likely to occur in societies in which:

A. individualism and autonomous decision-making predominate.
B. social ties are more pronounced.
C. there is a significant level of moral guidance.
D. there are firm guidelines regarding norms and values.

A.

Patrick will be attending kindergarten this September. Which of the following is/are latent functions of Patrick's attending school:
Patrick's mother will no longer have to worry about childcare during the day.
Patrick will learn to conform to social norms.
Patrick will learn basic reading skills.

A. III only
B. I, II, and III
C. I only
D. I and II only

D.

According to Mead, which behavior is an expression of the I component of the Self?

A. Agnes is very attentive to the needs of her friend, who is going through a difficult time.
B. Santiago decides to study for the MCAT instead of going out with his friends.
C. Anika dresses and speaks professionally at her medical school interview.
D. Rafi calls in sick to work because he wants to go shopping.

D.
Mead described the ME component of the self as the socialized and conforming aspect, while the I is the more spontaneous, less socialized, and individualized aspect of the self. Choice D describes a more spontaneous, individualized behavior while choices A, B, and C all describe socialized and conforming behaviors

D.

it is likely that interactionists would be interested in engagement rings because societies use these symbols to communicate that a person has made a formal agreement with his or her romantic partner and is now engaged to be married. These meanings help create our impression of the person wearing the ring, and individuals are thus active in shaping their societies, reflecting the arguments of interactionism

Engagement rings are presented as betrothal gifts, often from men to their partners. These tokens would be of interest to which of the following?

A. conflict theorists
B. dramaturgical theorists
C. functionalists
D. interactionists

C.

Education is a classic example of cultural capital, which includes non-financial social assets such as knowledge, skills, and experience. social capital, is also an important mechanism of social reproduction. It includes relationship-based social assets, like influence and "connections" with people in one's social network

Researchers found that people with graduate or professional degrees were divorced less often than were those with other levels of education. Therefore, it is possible that the success of a marriage depends on:

A. economic capital
B. political capital
C. cultural capital
D. social capital

C.

cultural relativism is the principle of viewing aspects of a different culture from the viewpoint of that culture, rather than from one’s own viewpoint. Ethnocentric thinking typically involves making false or negative assumptions about a minority ethnic or cultural group (opposite of cultural relativism)

The idea that foreign-born students might be negatively affected by native-born students’ cultural norms and values can best be explained by:

A. cultural relativism
B. prejudice
C. ethnocentrism
D. discrimination

A.
B.
C.
D.