AS Sociology

Outline the central principles of five sociological theories:  Functionalism  Marxism  Feminism  Interactionism  Postmodernism

 A point of view.  A way of seeing the world... ...and therefore, a way of understanding the world and everything in it.

 People can interpret identical things differently.  A sociological perspective may form when a group of people interpret something in a similar way and use that interpretation to explain their world...  In the example given, two new perspectives might have arisen: X Factorists and Anti-X Factorists...

The X Factor exists purely to distract the masses from the serious problems in their society. It is a trick played by the rich, on the poor to keep them sedated on their sofas rather than marching against tyranny. I disagree: The X Factor people that by making the most of your talents and working hard you can achieve huge rewards. Therefore, it inspires normal people to make the best of themselves and to follow their ambitions rather than sit and do nothing.

 Complete the ‘perspectives’ questionnaire. Which sociological perspective best matches your personal views?

 Why do you go to work?  Is the money you are paid fair for what you do?  Is there any conflict of interest between yourself and your boss? What was the Marxism activity we did in the taster session (and what was the point of it)?

 Society based on conflict between two economic classes – bosses and workers.  ‘Bosses’ aka Bourgeousie; Ruling Classes; Capitalists…  ‘Workers’ aka Proletariat; Working Classes… Karl Marx ( )

How should wealth be divided between social classes? If the total UK wealth was represented by 100 coins, how should we divide them between five social class groups?

 bPP0 bPP0  EqQ4 EqQ4

If the situation is so unfair, why do the ‘rest’ of us not do anything about it?  Marxists believe we are brainwashed by ideology.  The rich, ruling classes use institutions like the media, the education system and religion to socialise us into believing inequality is normal and natural...

How might the media, religion and education work to ‘brainwash’ people into believing that inequality is normal?

 Marxists believe that being brainwashed gives us a false class consciousness.  However, they also believe that one day we will realise the truth and will rebel against the capitalist system... Homework: Research the life and work of Karl Marx (if this means just reading his Wikipedia entry, then I’ll let you off this once)...

 Not really a single perspective...  Describes a wide range of views, beliefs and arguments inspired by Marxism but either extending or amending some of the key ideas of traditional Marxists.

 Based on the ideas of Max Weber ( ).  Sometimes called “the ghost of Marx”...  Agreed with some of Marx’s key ideas, but thought that social status and party (political influence) were just as important as class in creating social stratification.

 Would the following four people occupy high or low class, status and party positions? 1. Black female MP 2. White, working class plumber who helps run local boy’s football team year old ‘Euromillions’ winner (worth £35m) 4. Elderly man on state pension

 Society is like a human body (organic analogy) because... ...It gradually develops and changes. ...All of its parts work together and depend on each other.  When problems occur, it has mechanisms for dealing with them (e.g. the police, the legal system).

 Every society has a value consensus: We agree on what values are important and how we should behave. We share a common identity.  The division of labour is specialised meaning inequality is natural and necessary.  Every social institution has many important functions to perform.

When looking at a part of society, functionalists ask: “What is its function?” What are the functions of:  Family  The Education system  Religion  The Mass Media  Crime  Police (Min. 3 for each)

Discuss: What is meant by a ‘feminist’?

 There are many different types of feminism (liberal, radical, Marxist, postmodern etc.)  In general, feminists believe much of society is patriarchal (male-dominated). Men hold power over women and restrict their opportunities.  Feminists work to change things for women, campaigning for equality in all aspects of social life.

First Wave – Women’s Suffrage (late C19th- early C20th) Second Wave – Equality; Anti-discrimination (1960s-present) Third Wave – Fighting the backlash from the second wave! (1990s-present) Fourth Wave??? - ??? - ??? Post-Feminism – Mission Accomplished (1980s-present)

 What evidence can you think of/find that females are disadvantaged in the UK?

See also: Labelling Theory, Symbolic Interactionism, Social Action Theory, Interpretivism

What is happening in this picture and why?

 There are different ways of interpreting everything – and every interpretation is as valid as every other.  It is through our interpretations that we give meanings to things.  Our societies and cultures are shaped and developed through the shared meanings we create.

 Labelling Theory is one of the key interactionist ideas we study at A Level...  It focuses on how the way in which we ‘label’ each other (verbally or through our behaviour towards them) can influence the way they behave, often becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.  For example, if a teacher labels a student as ‘lazy’ or ‘thick’, how could this influence their behaviour in school?

 On your post-it note, anonymously write one word which describes your first impressions of this person e.g. What might they be like? What might they do?

Individual publically labelled as ‘deviant’ Individual is rejected by family, friends, employers etc. Being rejected leads to further deviance. The beginnings of a deviant career. Individual joins an organised deviant group; they accept their deviant identity. From within the group, a deviant subculture develops; the norms/values of these support and justify deviant identities. Becker: Possible Stages of the Labelling Process

 Using Becker’s stages of labelling, write a short story or article describing the effects on a person being labelled as deviant.  You can use a contemporary example if you wish.

 Because the world is constantly changing, it is impossible to explain it through one single ‘big’ theory (meta-narrative).  Societies today are media-saturated; we can find it very difficult to separate media images from reality. In essence, there is no longer a such thing as objective reality...

 People are no longer restricted by their class, gender, ethnicity etc. We are now free to make choices about how we live.  Life is a now an endless supermarket: We construct our identity through the products we consume. Homework: Research (briefly) the life and work of Jean Baudrillard.

Macro Sociology The large-scale, structural approach to studying society. Interested in how society shapes individuals. E.g. Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism Micro Sociology The small-scale, agency approach to studying society. Interested in how individuals shape society, through their interactions and the meanings they place on things. E.g. Interactionism Consensus Theories Theories that suggest that the culture of a society is agreed upon by its members, who want to keep it that way. E.g. Functionalism Conflict Theories Theories that suggest the culture of a society is imposed on everyone by powerful groups to suit their own needs, creating conflict in that society. E.g. Marxism, Feminism Sociological perspectives are EITHER macro or micro. Some can ALSO be EITHER based on consensus or conflict.

Write words on how you think different sociological perspectives might consider the TV show ‘The X Factor’.* *If you’re not familiar with the show, ask to be allocated a different one! Due In: This Time Next Week Further Study: On Moodle, there is a link to a Clickview video that will take you through the perspectives.