Socialization in different theories.
Socialization in different theories Each different theory of sociology interprets and sees Socialization in a different way. Functionalism, Interactionism and Marxism all have very different views on the same subject, showing in themselves that everyone in society thinks differently, and therefore, socialization can be interpreted differently by absolutely anyone. Functionalism (or the consensus theory) is based mainly on the idea that there is a consensus in society, with a set of values and norms, telling us how we should behave. Functionalists argue that society exists because people choose to live together and socialise with one another. Emile Durkheim, a leading exponent of Functionalism argued that these norms and values can only be learnt through a process of socialization, which must continue throughout life. His argument can be validated and backed-up by the story of "The wild boy of Avyeron", a child isolated for many years in a wood. He never learnt to speak more than a few words or to take an interest in personal hygiene because, as Functionalists might state, he had missed out on a vital part of socialisation to teach him the norms of society. Functionalism theorises that socialisation makes us productive members of society and thus, makes society possible. Functionalists argue that each main institution of socialization is necessary in producing a fully
Once Upon A Time in America
Sergio Leone's Once Upon A Time in America, which is an epic poem of violence and greed, is also a drama about the rise and fall of Jewish-American gangsters in New York at the beginning of the century through the 1960's. The movie tells the story of five decades in the lives of four gangsters from New York City - childhood friends who are merciless criminals almost from the first, but who have a special bond of loyalty to each other. When one of them breaks that bond, or thinks he does, he is haunted by guilt until late in his life, when he discovers that he was not the betrayer but the betrayed. It's an astounding tale of friendship through a lifestyle of crime, betrayal, lust, and greed that spans over half a century. The plot of this movie fits in well with all the three major theoretical perspectives in Sociology: the Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism, and Functional Analysis. One can find a lot of examples of the conflict theory throughout this movie. It is a story most of us have heard many times. The boys grow up, make their own gang, fight their enemies, chase their lovers, and eventually wind up in betrayal. But the story is not told from all their points of view. The tale is told through the eyes of David "Noodles" Aaronson (Robert De Niro). Much of the story deals with his friends, Maxamilian (James Woods) and Philip "Cockeye" Stein (William Forsythe), and
Sociological Theory.
Sociological Theory To be able to evaluate Functionalism, Marxism and Interactionism we must first look at the strengths and weaknesses in each. There are many variations and interpretations of each of these theories, therefore for the sake of simplicity only the key ideals will be discussed. Functionalism looks at society as an organised structure of inter-related institutions; and the various ways these institutions interact together within a social structure. Examples of these 'institutions' are the family, work, education and religion. The Functionalist perspective is best understood using an organismic analogy: 'Societies are comparable to living organisms (for example, a human being). Each part of the human body is linked, in some way, to all other parts. Individual organs combine to create something that is greater than the sum total of their individual parts.' In social terms, these 'organs' equate to the aforementioned institutions. Each of these institutions has its' separate role, and in order for society to to function effectively, these institutions must work in harmony with each other. It is also said that all parts of society have a purpose and also certain needs. The 'purpose' of the work institution, for example, is to create wealth and in order to achieve this it 'needs' people with a certain level of education. This example demonstrates the harmony
Social action can be defined as a certain meaningful action that is carried out by an individual who has taken into account the behaviour of other individuals around him or her.
Social action can be defined as a certain meaningful action that is carried out by an individual who has taken into account the behaviour of other individuals around him or her. There was divide in the history of sociological theory when sociologist Max Weber designed his controversial social action perspective, offering a different view to the established structural perspective of sociologists of the like of Marx and Durkheim. Weber believed social phenomena needed to be explained in terms of social action between individuals rather than the structural framework's explanation of society governing individual action. Within the new social action perspective, Weber devised four categories identifying different ways action could be made meaningful. These categories included traditional action, affectual action, instrumentally rational action and value-rational action. Many sociologists have followed in the footsteps of Max Weber, with well-known theories such as symbolic interactionism being created. Recently, many sociologists have began to realise the incredible advantages of uniting the ideas of both the structural and social action perspectives together and have devised unique theories, which certainly offer a more balanced framework for understanding social phenomena in our society today. Sociological theory consists of two major perspectives whereby sociologists base their
Assess Marxist theories of crime and deviance.
Sociology Chad Walker Assess Marxist theories of crime and deviance. Marxists believe that the law is part of the superstructure that is used to socialise people, which benefits capitalists. They argue that the law is only enforced on the working class and that the middle class are exempt from it as agents of social control are biased against the working class. They believe that official statistics are invalid and say that capitalists are the real criminals but explain working class crime as being due to capitalist culture being criminogenic. However, Marxists have been criticised by Neo-Marxists as well as Left Realists. Marxists believe that laws benefit capitalists and are critical of Right Wing theories such as Functionalism, the New Right and Right-Realists as they believe that the law reflects the collective conscience. Capitalists will define behaviours or activities as illegal if it affects them making money or will make things illegal if they can profit from it (such as fines for speeding). Chambliss supports this theory by suggesting that there are so many laws protecting private property because capitalists are the ones that own the private property. Snider also supports this theory as he believes that the government is reluctant to pass laws that threaten capitalists profits. Furthermore, Marxists are critical of Right Wing theories as Right Wing theories
Unit 7 P2 AND M1 explain different sociological approaches to health and ill health and assess the biomedical and socio-medical models of health
Ruth Green Unit 7, P2 & M1 Tutor-Delroy Mackenzie ________________ P2 There are different approaches to health and ill health in sociology, and these include Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism and Interactionism. The World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1974 defines positive health as a state of complete physical mental, social, spiritual and well-being not merely the absence of disease. The holistic approach is based on addressing the individual’s physical, social, emotional and spiritual health needs. The functionalist approach to health and ill health In the functionalist model, Parsons argued that illness is a form of deviance that disturbs the social function of a society; within the functionalist approach to health it studies the relationship between a sick individual and the society as a whole. Parsons stated that for the society to function efficiently the members of the society must be free from illness and must be of well health. Functionalists argued that stability and cooperation are very crucial for a society to function efficiently; functionalists explain that through the process of socialisation we learn our society’s general norms, values and social roles. An example of this is, saying “thank you or please” these are some of the values that are treasured within societies, and an example of a social role would be a grandmother fulfilling the role as
Briefly explain some of the main features of any two sociological theories and evaluate some of the main differences between them. With reference to contemporary society.
Briefly explain some of the main features of any two sociological theories and evaluate some of the main differences between them. With reference to contemporary society. The argument for sociology being a science revolves around the idea that society is empirical; if this premise fails then so does the concept of sociology being a science. Karl Marx, the father of Marxism, believed society was the result of social structures and class conflicts. Herbert Blumer, a symbolic interactionist, on the other hand, argued “the essence of society lies in an ongoing process of action – not in a posited structure of relations” (Blumer, 1969) p71. Blumer believed the actions and interactions of individuals created the overall structure of macro and meso levels of society. When applying the Marxist theory, Marxists would argue Margaret Thatcher (British prime minister from 1979-1990) was a political tyrant who created class inequality by implementing the poll tax, breaking up the unions and further stratifying education through removing the grammar schools. The conservative government of today, however, would argue to “save” the UK from the labour party, conservatives need to “channel Margaret [The iron lady] Thatcher’s zeal”, perceiving her as a political scholar (Gamp, 2017). When applying the symbolic interactionism’s (SI) theory, such truths or falsities in said
Assess the usefulness of an Interactionists perspective on education.
Assignment 1 Sociology Assess the usefulness of an Interactionists perspective on education. Education provides us with academic knowledge and social skills. The formal academic education we receive gives us the qualifications necessary to prepare us for our working lives and integration into society. Industrialisation changed societies view on education, it realised for Britain to succeed in economy it had to have an educated work force. Sociologists use a variety of methods to evaluate education for example, IQ tests (which increases the longer pupils spend in education and tends to have a more complex language, therefore aimed at upper and middle classes). Sat’s, (where children are tested to see if the teachers have been teaching the curriculum). Ofsted, the school inspectors appointed by the council to inspect and regulate the education system within individual learning facilities. League tables and long term studies such as ‘Child of our time’, which followed children born in 2000 in different parts of the country with differing backgrounds. (Class hand outs) (sixthsence.osfc) (www.the student room). This essay will be discussing interactionism and the 4 main sub theories within it - labelling, selfulfilling prophesy, language, subcultures and the effects they have on education. George Mead (1934) had a theory that we develop who we are by the influence of the
Explain your understanding of the principle sociological perspectives using the relevant terminology.
Anya Hastings Sociology: Task 1 Explain your understanding of the principle sociological perspectives using the relevant terminology. In this assignment I am going to describe the key sociological perspectives that have been used to describe and understand societies and the way people behave within that society. Functionalism: This is a structuralism theory where they have interest and understanding in the main institutions in society; these include family, education, health services, the economy and some political parties. Structuralisms are concerned with how all of these link with each other and how they influence people and their ‘normal’ behaviour in society. Functionalism’s have a very open approach and sees social intuitions at their best when they are working in harmony together, this then allows society to see individuals who are making an effort towards living in there society or community. Marxism: Marxism is a conflict and structural sociological perspective; it was first developed by Karl Marx (1818-1883). Marx believed that individual behaviour was shaped by their environment or society but still strongly agreed with money controlling society and what roles people could have because of their finances. Marxism has two groups of people, the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, the bourgeoisie was seen as the more important people in society as these
Social and action theories
Compare and Contrast Social Action Theories and Structural Theories. Sociological perspectives on society are divided into two areas; Structural and Action Theories. Both these theories aim to describe how society is structured, and what contributes to that make up. This document will look at the theories on which both structural and action perspectives are based. One aspect of society will be used as an example to show how each theory can have differing views on the same subject. The structural theory looks at society as a whole. This is called a macro theory as it takes an overall view of society. The basis of this theory is how the structure of society impacts on human behaviour. There are two approaches to the structural theory these are Functionalist and Marxist. Action theories in contrast to structural theories look at society from a micro perspective as it looks at the individual. Their perspective is that individual choices shape society. Structural Perspective The social structure is the framework around which any society is based. Both Functionalists and Marxists are Structuralists as they are both interested in the institutions that combine to make up the fabric of society for example the family, education, religion etc. Functionalism A Functionalist study of society would look at Institutional arrangements and relationships and these would form the
