FUNCTIONALISM - EMILE DURKHEIM
Emile Durkheim was one of the founders of sociology, and his view is that society is made up of various insitutions, each of which has a usual function. Functionalists look at how insitutions in society and work and how they affect individuals. For example;
Functionalists believe these structures help aid the smooth running of society. Durkheim believed individuals internalise the norms and values they learn, thus leading to concencus - the sharing of norms and values in culture.
Criticisms
- The family - Has the function of socialising children.
- Education - Has the function of preparing young people for adult society.
- Religion - Has the function of uniting society through shared beliefs.
Functionalists believe these structures help aid the smooth running of society. Durkheim believed individuals internalise the norms and values they learn, thus leading to concencus - the sharing of norms and values in culture.
Criticisms
- Not enough focus on the invididual.
- Ignores the inequality of social groups.
- Postmodernists argue that this theory is outdated - based on the fact its only based on 'one culture', whereas today we have many subcultures within a culture.
MARXISM - KARL MARX
Karl Marx was another founder of sociology. He focused on the effects of capitalism on individuals and cultures. He believes that the economic system of society determined the beliefs and values that the society held. Marxists believe that people are socialised into a culture based on their social class, and that peoples identity depends on their class position in the capitalist system.
He believed that infrastructures like the family and education lead workers to accept the inequlities and unfairness of capitalism. Criticisms
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Interpretivists
Interpretivists believe that culture is determined by the behaviour and interactions of individuals. They focus heavily on individual free will. Theories like this are called action theories - ecause they emphasise the action of the individual as opposed to structural theories which focus on structures of societies.
Interpretivists state that all individuals interpret society around them, and try to make sense of it. They say that culture comes from peoples own ideas of how they interact with eachother. The theory states that we all respond to social structures in our own individual way, we arnt just products of socialisation - we have free will, and the choice on what to believe in.
An example of results from individual choice is 'large scale social change'. For example, gender roles in the home. Women deciding they wanted to work outside the home, leading to an increase in men taking on childcare and housework. It has become acceptable for men to take on more feminine roles in the household which wasnt usually 'normal'.
Labelling Theory -
An example of the labelling theory is the self fullfilling prophecy, for example education theory. When someone is told that they are a bad student, they may go on to actually be a bad student if they choose to accept this label. Very strong labels can take on 'master status' and replace an individuals other labels. If they choose to believe this label, they may go on to act like this label.
Criticisms
Interpretivists state that all individuals interpret society around them, and try to make sense of it. They say that culture comes from peoples own ideas of how they interact with eachother. The theory states that we all respond to social structures in our own individual way, we arnt just products of socialisation - we have free will, and the choice on what to believe in.
An example of results from individual choice is 'large scale social change'. For example, gender roles in the home. Women deciding they wanted to work outside the home, leading to an increase in men taking on childcare and housework. It has become acceptable for men to take on more feminine roles in the household which wasnt usually 'normal'.
Labelling Theory -
An example of the labelling theory is the self fullfilling prophecy, for example education theory. When someone is told that they are a bad student, they may go on to actually be a bad student if they choose to accept this label. Very strong labels can take on 'master status' and replace an individuals other labels. If they choose to believe this label, they may go on to act like this label.
Criticisms
- Marxists argue that not enough attention is paid to conflict or the fact some social classes are more powerful than others.
- Functionalists argue tha they dont acknowledge the importance of the socialisation process.
Teaching points
- Good introduction to the course.
- Powerpoint presentation explaining the three theories, compare and contrast them. Go through criticisms and evaluations.
- Make a worksheet of a table for students to fill in of the three theories.
- s meant by "labelling theory"" (2 marks)