Sociological Theorists FDHS 1203 FDLD 1203

Learning Objectives To define society from a sociological basis. To identify key sociological perspectives. To research and summarise the work of key sociological theorists in relation to Health and Social Care perspectives in society.

Social Institutions Social institutions = building blocks Society The Family Health and social care services Education system The Economy The political system Religious organisations Social institutions = building blocks The Sum of all its major building blocks – otherwise known as Social Institutions

Perspectives Sociological Marxism Feminism Interactionalism Postmodernism Collectivism Functionalism New Right

Functionalism Sees the institutions of society working in harmony together and making clear contributions to the running of society. Functionalism – sees the institutions of society working in harmony together. Making clear contributions to the running of society.

Feminism Seen as a conflict model with three main approaches Marxist feminism Radical feminism Liberal feminism Main argument is that society was developed and is dominated by men which has produced a bias and that not enough emphasis is placed on women and their place in society. Marxist – capitalists have oppressed women as well as men in a patriarchal society Radical – purely men that oppress women Liberal – change has taken place such as specific pieces of legislation and that this will continue with improvments to the law

Marxism A conflict model of sociology. This perspective sees society as having two distinct social classes: The Proletariat and The Bourgeoisie (capitalists) The view is that these two classes will always be in conflict and this may lead to a revolution. A conflict and a structuralist model. The society having 2 distinct social classes. The bourgeoisie (capitalists) and the proletariat View is theat these groups would always be in conflict The owners want high profits and the employees want higher wages He thought that this conflict would lead to revolution

Interactionalism This is known as a Social action approach The focus is on small groups in society and how they influence individual behaviour and shape society. Studies made within this theory are of groups that are diverse such as gangs and school classrooms. Theorists study the dynamics of the group. Social action approach Focus is on small groups in society and how they influence individual behaviour and shape society. Studies are of groups that are diverse such as gangs staff and schools. They study the dynamics in the group.

Post modernism Focuses on the change (or chaos) in our society. This theory maintains that we cannot talk about the institutions in our society as nothing stays the same so they will change. One thought from this approach is that there is no such thing as a “typical” family. Focuses on the change (or chaos) in our society Says that we cant talk about the institutions as nothing stays the same and they are not the same. e.g there is no “typical” family Argue that social institutions have become fragmented.

Collectivism This approach is underpinned by the government commitment to provide support for the vulnerable in our society. Approach that is undrpinned by a govenrmnet commitment to provide support for the vulnerable

The New Right This approach is that the state should play as little a role in welfare provision as possible. Responsibility should be on the individual and their family. This approach regards state intervention as intrusive and the basis for a dependency culture. The conservative government of the 1979 viewed that the state should play as little a role in welfare provision as possible. They believed that it should be the responsibility of the individual and their family. Regarded state support as a dependency culture and intrusive. Thought that the welfare state relied on state benefits rather than planning for the future and taking responsibility for their own needs and those of their families.

Research Task In small groups research the most important strands of the social analysis of your specific theorists and speculate about which UK political parties supports this view.

Key Theorists Weber Michels Pareto Durkheim Talcott Parsons Dahl Marx Comte Goffman Mead