Postmodernism questions & answers rated A+ 2023/2024 passed

PostmodernismWhat do postmodernists say? - correct answer They say that in the past 20 years or so, some sociologists have identified trends & developments which they claim show that industrial modernity is fragmenting or dissolving. They argue that industrial modernity is being replaced by a postmodern world in which many sociological ideas & concepts are becoming irrelevant. What does Taylor say are the characteristics of postmodern society? - correct answer The key social relationships that used to underpin modern societies- class, family & gender are no longer relevant. Sociologists can no longer claim to produce expert knowledge about society as there are no 'right' answers anymore- all points of view have relevance. Sociologists can no longer make judgements or claim that the know what is best for society. Sociology is just one set of ideas competing with others. What does sociologist Baudrillard say? - correct answer Postmodern era is 'media saturated- dominated by media imagery. Mass media used to reflect some basic reality but media now dominates & distorts the way we see the world. What is 'simulacra'? - correct answer The media presents a 'simulacra' images that appear to reflect events in the real world but have no basis in reality & which are viewed simultaneously around the globe. For example the reality of a missile hitting its target is not shown to a viewer, but is a simulacrum of the real event. Explain 'hyper-reality' - correct answer Media has eliminated the blood, suffering & the corpses of war & the news presents a sanitised view of conflict. Consequently wars become media-constructed spectacles which have such an air of unreality that we are unable to distinguish between them from Hollywood movies or video games. How is 'hyper-reality' created and defined? - correct answer The view is actually created & defined by the viewer & the image becomes more real than reality as it tries to make viewers feel like they are experiencing an event. Some celebrities for example are just famous as they have been in the media such as those from Big Brother, TOWIE or Made in Chelsea. What do postmodernists say about chaos? - correct answer Postmodernism stresses the chaos & uncertainty in society & argues that the social structures in society are breaking down. Postmodernists claim that it is now nonsense to talk about the institution of the family as people now live in such wide ranging personal relationships such as gay & lesbian couples, cohabiting partners, divorce, remarriage and step families. Postmodernists say that any notion of the family as an institution is absurd. What does Lyotard say? - correct answer He says that postmodernism expresses 'an incredulity towards metanarratives'. As society is now changing so constantly & rapidly, societies can no longer be understood through the application of general theories or metanarratives (big theories such as Marxism & functionalism which seek to explain society as a whole) according to postmodernists as society has become fragmented into so many groups, interests & lifestyles that are constantly changing that society is essentially chaotic. There has been a loss of faith in the superiority of rational thought & science & the idea of progress. All knowledge is now considered equally valid.