FAML 400 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Assumptions of Symbolic Interactionism Theory - Answers- o People will react to
something according to the meaning that the thing has for them
o We learn about meaning through interactions with others
o As people come into contact with different things and experiences, they interpret what
is being learned
o A human infant is asocial
o Once individuals develop a sense of self, this will provide motivation for future
behavior
o Individuals are influenced by society
o People learn the rules and values of society through everyday interaction within that
culture
symbols - Answers- (SI) products of social behavior; have different meanings for people
interaction - Answers- (SI) social behavior between people; communication takes place
gestures - Answers- (SI) acts that represent something else; nonverbal communication
social norms - Answers- (SI) expectations about how to act in situations
rituals - Answers- (SI) traditions
roles - Answers- (SI) set of social norms for a specific situation, or "part"
salience - Answers- (SI) importance of a role
identity - Answers- (SI) most salient roles define our ______
Critiques of Symbolic Interactionism Theory - Answers- o The key concepts are
confusing - they're difficult to define, making them difficult to test using research
o The ideas and concepts of scholars in this field haven't been combined into one
central theory
o It does not give enough attention to the importance of emotions or the role of the
unconscious
o Places too much emphasis on the ability of individuals to create their own realities -
we live in a world that we do not create ourselves
o The role of power is often neglected
o It lacks attention to the role of biology
I: ______ (according to SI) - Answers- spontaneous self
Me: ______ (according to SI) - Answers- generalized other (thinking part of self)
Play stage - Answers- simplified childhood role taking
, Game stage - Answers- involves taking many roles at the same time
Assumptions of Structural Functionalism Theory - Answers- o The function of families is
to procreate and socialize children
o All systems have functions
structure - Answers- (SF) composition of the family; what members make it up
function - Answers- (SF) the services the family provides to society
instrumental - Answers- (SF) tasks that ensure physical survival (males)
expressive - Answers- (SF) tasks related to relationship interactions that meet
emotional needs (females)
equilibrium (SF) - Answers- (SF) the system will resist change; things need to be in
balance
the benchmark family - Answers- (SF) the traditional intact nuclear family
deviant behavior - Answers- (SF) behavior that deviates from social norms; can still
play a useful role in society
conformity - Answers- (SF) nondeviance
innovation - Answers- (SF) accepts normative goal but attains it illegally or in an
unacceptable way
ritualism - Answers- (SF) gives up on success but still works hard; will never meet
expectations
retreatism - Answers- (SF) rejects both the normative goals and the means to obtain
them; retreats from cultural norms
rebellion - Answers- (SF) like retreatism, but they also attempt to create a new social
structure
Critiques of Structural Functionalism Theory - Answers- o Very few scientific ideas can
be completely free from the dominant values of society
o It confuses function with cause
o It does not adequately account for change
o It focuses on a macroanalysis of large social systems and assumes that maintaining a
steady state is important
o Some theorists make the mistake of assuming that just because something is
functional, it deserves to be maintained
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller GEEKA. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $10.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.