INTRODUCING SOCIAL THEORY

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INTRODUCING SOCIAL THEORY Functionalism
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Sociology
Structural Theory
Action Theory
(Interpretivism)
Consensus
Conflict
Symbolic interactionism
Functionalism
Marxism
Feminism
Theory can be said to be like looking at society
through different lenses each give it a
different perspective or appearance.
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STRUCTURAL THEORY
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• Structural Approaches
• Are sometimes called social systems or
  structuralist approaches.
• emphasise the power of society over the
  individual.
• Believe the individual is largely controlled by
  society.
• Think that society is in us, moulding our
  thoughts and directing our actions.
• Argue that we are socialised in terms of the
  culture of society,
• Say that our behaviour is shaped by the social
  structure,
• we are kept in line by mechanisms of social
  control,
• we learn roles, norms and values and act
  accordingly.

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CONSENSUS THEORY

• Agreement (also know as CONSENSUS) on what is
  right and wrong, is the basis of social life.
• Without CONSENSUS, society would collapse into
  chaos where no one would be able to agree on how
  people should conduct themselves.
• CONSENSUS and having shared values enables us to
  co-operate with each other and this provides
  unity.
• Having CONSENSUS provides harmony.

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FUNCTIONALISM
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• Society is a social system based on VALUE
  CONSENSUS (shared values).
• Society has basic needs that must be met to
  survive.
• The need for social order harmony is a big one.
  
• For that to happen we need the VALUE CONSENSUS
  (shared values).
• To get that into our heads, we need to be
  SOCIALISED into that cultures particular norms
  and values.

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Norms
e.g. marriage, making a fuss of cheaters.
e.g. monogamy.
Values
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Key FUNCTIONALIST Comte thought you could
understand how society FUNCTIONS by comparing it
with the FUNCTIONNING of the human body.
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Comte thought there were similarities between how
all the organs in the body had specific
individual FUNCTIONS but worked together to
maintain health and life. What are the
FUNCTIONS of the following organs?
The brain?
The olfactory senses?
The lungs?
The spine?
The intestines?
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What might these organs represent in British
society?
Religion
Family
Economy
Legal system
Education
The FUNCTIONALIST idea is that if all the systems
(organs) in society are FUNCTIONNING in harmony
it will remain healthy.
Health system
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Religion
Family
Economy
Legal system
Education
But if one or other of these vital institutions
starts to malfunction, then society becomes
dysfunctional.
Health system
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What do you think is a consequence for society,
on the failure of these institutions why do we
need them and what are we missing when they
arent working properly?
If youre struggling, think about this in terms
of having a vitamin deficiency. For instance, not
having enough vitamin C makes your gums bleed and
your skin start to disintegrate.
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HOMEWORK - DUE WEDNESDAY (Mon if possible)

• Complete the 33 mark essay using the examiners
  advice to help you
• Assess the usefulness of interactionalist
  approaches to the study of society
• Note the targets you were set from your previous
  essay to make sure you address them this time.