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Summary Theories Info Pages - A level Sociology AQA

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Unit 4 SCLY4 - Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods; Stratification and Differentiation with Theory and Methods

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AQA

Summary information pages for the Theories topic from A level sociology 1.Functionalism 2. Marxism 3. Feminism 4. Social Action Theory/ Interactionalism 5. Globalisation, Modernity and Postmodernity 6. Is Sociology a Science? 7. Sociology Values and Ethics 8. Sociology and Social Policy

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Type Summary

a level
sociology
aqa
a level sociology
theories
theory and methods

Study Level
A/AS Level
Examinator
AQA
Subject
Sociology
Unit
Unit 4 SCLY4 - Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods; Stratification and Differentiation with Theory and Methods

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Theories: Functionalism PARSONS

Organic Analogy
He identified 3 similarities between society and biological organ
Key Words: ROOTS OF FUNCTIONALISM
• System - organisms are self regulating systems of interrelate
Functionalism was prominent in sociological
thinking until 1990s. parts that fit together.
Structural (macro) approach - human • System needs - organisms have needs. If these needs are n
Can be traced back to Emile Durkheim in the 19th
behaviour must be understood in the Century. organism will die. In order for society to survive it needs its m
context of the social system or structure Talcott Parsons developed functionalism as a socialised.
in which they exist. People are not just systematic theory of society in the mid 20th century. • Functions - function of any part of ths system is the contribut
independent actors making independent meeting the system’s needs and therefore survival.
decisions, they are the product of the Functionalism is a macro, structural theory. It The social systems provide a positive function as it helps provide
social conditions in which they live. focuses on the needs of social systems as a whole, cohesion and a shared consensus.
how these needs shape the main features of
society. Parsons suggests there are four basic needs for the social system
Social Action/Interpretivist (micro)
It is a consensus approach and a modernist prerequisites):
approach - society is a construction of theory.
interactions and meanings given to it by Functionalists believe we can obtain true G - Goal Attainment: society needs to set goals and allocate res
its members. It explains human knowledge of the functioning of society and this achieve them. Function of the political subsystem.
behaviour at a microscopic, small-scale knowledge can be used to improve society. A - Adaptation: social system meets its members material needs
level. economic subsystem.
DURKHEIM I - Integration: different parts of the system must be integrated to
Consensus theory - people in society In order for society to survive there must be social shared goals. Done through sub-systems of religion, education an
as have shared interests and society order; social order exists because of value L - Latency: processes that maintain society. Kinship sub-system
functioning on the basis of there being consensus. pattern maintenance and tension management.
broad consensus on its norms and
values. He was concerned with rapid social change and If the four functional prerequisites are met, social equilibrium wi
the transition to industrial society.
Conflict theory - society is made up of Traditional society = little division of labour, strong
collective conscience EVALUATION - MERTON
two or more groups with competing and
incompatible interests. The two main Modern society = bigger division of labour,
promotes differences between groups, weakens Robert Merton (a functionalist) is critical of Parsons view that a
conflict theories that we study in institutions play a positive functional role in society. He argues
social solidarity.
sociology are marxism and feminism institutions can be dysfunctional and recognises structural altern
which see society divided by social class Merton argues we cannot assume that society is always a smoot
Anomie. As society becomes complex and
and gender respectively. industrialised, this leads to a further increase in the integrated system.
division of labour, divergent cultures, and a greater
Modernist theory - suggests that expression of egoism (individualism). This means Criticises 3 key assumptions:
traditional societies will develop as they the ability of a single source of moral authority to
• Indispensability - Parsons assumes that everything in socie
adopt more modern practices. indispensable in its existing form. Merton argues that this is a
regulate and influence peoples moral behaviour is
assumption. He suggests there could be ‘functional alternativ
weakened - individuals are therefore left without
• Functional unity - Parsons assumes all parts of society are
Anomie - a condition or state in which moral guidance which can lead to anomie.
Each part is functional for the rest. Change in one part will ha
there is a breakdown of social bond and Durkheim believes anomie must be regulated to
effect on the rest. Metron argues that this is not necessarily tr
guidance between an individual and prevent egotistic behaviour in people because this
autonomy’.

, Theories: Marxism HISTORICAL MATERIALISM

We currently live in a society with a capitalist
NEO-MARXISM

The absence of revolutions in the We
mode of production.Marx distinguished reject the economic determinism of t
KEY WORDS: KARL MARX put forward by Marx.
between the base and superstructure of
Believed in scientific socialism.
society.
Part of the Enlightenment project. New approaches have tried to explai
Value Consensus - shared set of
Marx sees two essential components of persisted and how it might be overth
norms and values. Progress is a contradictory process by which
society:
capitalism would increase human misery and There are two types:
• Economic base, which underpins and
society would then evolve into a classless
State - armed bodies of men (army, determines everything else in society. This • Humanistic/critical marxism - f
communist one. peoples subjective experience of
police, prisons, courts etc) consists of those who own the means of
production necessary to produce society's Marx). Call to overthrow Capitalis
CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS goods. will.
False consciousness -people's Capitalism sows the seeds of its own • Superstructures are the social institutions • Scientific/structuralist marxism
inability to recognize inequality, destruction in society. Marx believes the economic development working with ‘iron n
oppression, and exploitation in a By bringing the proletariat together in larger base shapes and influences the inevitable results (later work of M
numbers the proletariat develop a superstructures. that govern the workings of capit
capitalist society because of the determine the course of history, i
consciousness of their own - class
prevalence within it of views that consciousness manipulated by forces beyond th
naturalize and legitimize the existence Unaided Human Labour
of social classes. Proletariat become aware of their situation Earliest stage of human history humans use
unaided human labour to meet the needs of ALTHUSSER AND STRUCTURAL M
and the need to change it and overthrow
capitalism. production
Scientific socialism - a method for Althusser seeks to explain the stable
understanding and predicting social, and to reveal how these features wo
The class that own means of production,
society regenerates itself over time.
economic and material phenomena by also own the production of ideas.
examining their historical trends Institutions that create and spread the ideas
He rejects economic determinism
serve the dominant class.
through the use of the scientific method Creates false consciousness but this can be Social Relations of Products
Althusser is a structural determinist.
in order to derive probable outcomes changed when workers develop class Over time tools are made to assist with
Althusser argued Marx overemphas
and probable future developments. consciousness production. Humans cooperate with one
economic system drove society, and
another to meet their needs.
determinism with a more complex ‘st
Primitive Communism - the traditional ALIENATION
hunters and gatherers were based on True nature is based on our ability to create In this model, capitalism has 3 social
things to meet our needs. determine our actions. They are the:
egalitarian social relations and Alienation = loss of control over our labour • Economic system - producing a
common ownership. A Marxist model and its products • Political system - organising so
Division of Labour Develops
socioeconomic society with primitive As the forces of production grow and develop,
• Ideological system - providing i
communism had no defined or Alienation happens in capitalist societies for
the social relations of production change.
2 reasons: Economic system has ultimate cont
hierarchical structure or capital. • Workers are separated from and have
Creates a division of two classes.
have significant degrees of independ
no control over the forces of production relative autonomy.
Economic Base - consists of those • Division of labour is at its most intense
who own the means of production and detailed - mindlessly repeating a EVALUATION OF MARXISM
meaningless task EVALUATION OF NEO-MARXISM
necessary to produce society's goods.
✔Marx’s theory identifies the importance of
✔ Neo-Marxists have been able to a
STATE, REVOLUTION AND COMMUNISM the economy and how economic changes can
Superstructures - the social influence a wide range of other social
criticisms made of Marx’s original th
State exists to protect the interests of the
institutions in society. class of owners who control it = ruling class institutions

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