THEORY AND METHODS
Introduction to sociological theory
+ Sociology emerged at a time of the industrial revolution.
+ During this time scientific thinking developed.
FUNCTIONALISM
1. Society as a system:
+ A series of interrelated parts that fit together to form a whole.
+ Compare society to a human body — ‘human analogy’.
+ Parsons: different intuitions work together to ensure the basic needs of society
➔ Socialisation, education, food, shelter, belonging.
2. Value Consensus and Social Order:
+ Durkheim: Society would fall into chaos and disorder unless people share common
beliefs and values — everyone should be socialised into a ‘value consensus’.
+ Values, norms and beliefs bind people together and regulate behaviour.
★ Evaluation:
- The idea of value consensus is not relevant today as the UK is multicultural so there is no
one set of values.
- Postmodernists: society is changing with a diverse range of values and beliefs.
- Marxists: there is no value consensus, it is just the values of m/c imposed.
3. Everything has a function:
+ Parsons: all institutions provide positive and beneficial functions for society and
individuals.
+ BUT, Merton: this is not always the case as sometimes there are unintended
consequences – ‘dysfunctions’.(Manifest and latent functions).
★ Evaluation:
- Most institutions have the same functions but may not always be achieved.
- Postmodernists: society can no longer be explained by one big theory.
- Functionalism cannot explain social change.
NEW RIGHT
+ Share ideas with functionalism.
+ Believes the key institutions in society such as the family have important functions.
The New Right and Family:
+ Marsland and Murray: families are an important institution for fulfilling the functions of
society.
+ Governments should not interfere - families should be self-sufficient.
+ Welfare state is criticised = more lone parent families.
The New Right and Education:
+ Education is an important institution in society and fulfills functions such as creating a
meritocratic society.
, + BUT, these functions are not being achieved because of state interference.
+ SOLUTION: marketise education = more autonomy over how they are run.
★ Evaluation:
- Influence of these ideas are reflected in government policies reflecting their impact.
- They are critical for blaming the victims e.g lone parent families.
- Education policies also lead to inequality as m/c can access better schools.
MARXISM
1. Economic Base and Capitalism
+ Marx: economic base of society underpinned social institutions and people values
+ Economic base = means of production and relations of production.
+ All institutions in society transmit norms and values.
+ Superstructure transmits the ideas and values of the ruling class and teaches w/c
not to challenge their position — ‘ruling class ideology’.
★ Evaluation:
- This is still relevant today as CJS favours ruling class more.
- Also there is global capitalism where companies compete for profits and are able to exploit
cheap labour in other countries.
2. The Bourgeoisie exploit the proletariat
+ Marx: 2 main classes in society:
- Working class
- Ruling class
= the ruling class exploit the working class by not paying them correctly, keeping more profit to
themselves.
★ Evaluation:
- This is not relevant seen through equal pay, maternity pay, minimum wage etc.
➔ BUT, Boohoo paid workers 5ph.
3. The Bourgeoisie have power and control in society
+ Marx: upper class holds majority of the senior positions e.g politics, media etc.
+ Those at the top have most likely gone to independent schools and Oxbridge.
+ These people are responsible for important decision making that affect everyone.
★ Evaluation:
- IPPR: 7% of all MPs are considered w/c compared to 34% of all w/c in the UK.
- 29% of all MPs come from a private school background.
4. Communism and the Revolution
+ Marx: One day the w/c will become aware of their true position as exploited workers
and overthrow capitalism.
+ == communist state their means of production would be owned by the state and run
in the interests of everyone.
Introduction to sociological theory
+ Sociology emerged at a time of the industrial revolution.
+ During this time scientific thinking developed.
FUNCTIONALISM
1. Society as a system:
+ A series of interrelated parts that fit together to form a whole.
+ Compare society to a human body — ‘human analogy’.
+ Parsons: different intuitions work together to ensure the basic needs of society
➔ Socialisation, education, food, shelter, belonging.
2. Value Consensus and Social Order:
+ Durkheim: Society would fall into chaos and disorder unless people share common
beliefs and values — everyone should be socialised into a ‘value consensus’.
+ Values, norms and beliefs bind people together and regulate behaviour.
★ Evaluation:
- The idea of value consensus is not relevant today as the UK is multicultural so there is no
one set of values.
- Postmodernists: society is changing with a diverse range of values and beliefs.
- Marxists: there is no value consensus, it is just the values of m/c imposed.
3. Everything has a function:
+ Parsons: all institutions provide positive and beneficial functions for society and
individuals.
+ BUT, Merton: this is not always the case as sometimes there are unintended
consequences – ‘dysfunctions’.(Manifest and latent functions).
★ Evaluation:
- Most institutions have the same functions but may not always be achieved.
- Postmodernists: society can no longer be explained by one big theory.
- Functionalism cannot explain social change.
NEW RIGHT
+ Share ideas with functionalism.
+ Believes the key institutions in society such as the family have important functions.
The New Right and Family:
+ Marsland and Murray: families are an important institution for fulfilling the functions of
society.
+ Governments should not interfere - families should be self-sufficient.
+ Welfare state is criticised = more lone parent families.
The New Right and Education:
+ Education is an important institution in society and fulfills functions such as creating a
meritocratic society.
, + BUT, these functions are not being achieved because of state interference.
+ SOLUTION: marketise education = more autonomy over how they are run.
★ Evaluation:
- Influence of these ideas are reflected in government policies reflecting their impact.
- They are critical for blaming the victims e.g lone parent families.
- Education policies also lead to inequality as m/c can access better schools.
MARXISM
1. Economic Base and Capitalism
+ Marx: economic base of society underpinned social institutions and people values
+ Economic base = means of production and relations of production.
+ All institutions in society transmit norms and values.
+ Superstructure transmits the ideas and values of the ruling class and teaches w/c
not to challenge their position — ‘ruling class ideology’.
★ Evaluation:
- This is still relevant today as CJS favours ruling class more.
- Also there is global capitalism where companies compete for profits and are able to exploit
cheap labour in other countries.
2. The Bourgeoisie exploit the proletariat
+ Marx: 2 main classes in society:
- Working class
- Ruling class
= the ruling class exploit the working class by not paying them correctly, keeping more profit to
themselves.
★ Evaluation:
- This is not relevant seen through equal pay, maternity pay, minimum wage etc.
➔ BUT, Boohoo paid workers 5ph.
3. The Bourgeoisie have power and control in society
+ Marx: upper class holds majority of the senior positions e.g politics, media etc.
+ Those at the top have most likely gone to independent schools and Oxbridge.
+ These people are responsible for important decision making that affect everyone.
★ Evaluation:
- IPPR: 7% of all MPs are considered w/c compared to 34% of all w/c in the UK.
- 29% of all MPs come from a private school background.
4. Communism and the Revolution
+ Marx: One day the w/c will become aware of their true position as exploited workers
and overthrow capitalism.
+ == communist state their means of production would be owned by the state and run
in the interests of everyone.
