Structural Theories

• Which structural theories have been discussed in the series?

  Functionalism, Marxism, and Feminism
• What do structural theories emphasize about society?

  Society is more important than individuals
• How do structural theories view social behaviors?

  Influenced by social institutions and structures
• What methodologies do structural theories prefer?

  Positivist methodologies and quantitative data
• What are structural theories often referred to as?

  Grand or meta narratives
• What do structural theories believe about human behavior?

  It is predictable through data analysis
• What is the key debate regarding structural theories?

  Whether they are still relevant in contemporary society
• What are the two types of structural theory mentioned?

  Consensus and conflict theories
• Which theories are included in consensus theories?

  Functionalism and the New Right
• How have some conflict theories evolved?

  They now examine sociology on micro levels
• What do neo-Marxism and post-structural feminism acknowledge?

  Structural inequalities exist but use different methodologies
• In which areas have structural theories shown relevance?

  Education, family, and crime
• What do structural approaches help investigate in education?

  Social class, gender, and ethnic differences
• How has the role of the family changed according to structural theories?

  Functions of the family remain consistent
• What do structural explanations of crime suggest?

  Disproportionate representation hints at inequalities
• What do proponents of structural theories argue about society?

  Divisions based on class, gender, and ethnicity exist
• How many people in the UK live in poverty?

  Approximately 14 million
• Who is disproportionately affected by poverty in the UK?

  Females and minority ethnic backgrounds
• What concepts from structural theories remain relevant?

  Boundary maintenance and social solidarity
• How do reactions to Brexit illustrate structural theories?

  Use of British iconography in campaigns
• What do critics of structural theories argue?

  Individual choices and diversity are more important
• What does Lyotard argue about meta-narratives?

  We have evolved beyond them
• What are structural theories in sociology?

  Top-down approaches that focus on the idea that society is more important than the individuals within it
• What are the key features of structural theories?

  They suggest social behaviors are influenced by social institutions and that the role of these institutions and other social structures like class, gender, and ethnicity are the most important factors in determining how people act
• What methodologies do structural theories prefer?

  Positivist methodologies and collecting quantitative data
• What are the two main types of structural theories discussed?

  Consensus theories (like functionalism) and conflict theories (like Marxism and feminism)
• What is structuration theory?

  A theory that sees the relevance of both structural and social action approaches, where structures and individual agency coexist and are reliant on each other
• According to structuration theory, how do structures and individual actions interact?

  Structural forces provide the rules and resources that guide individual actions, but individuals can also change those structures through their reflexive choices and actions
• How does structuration theory explain the example of language?

  Language is constructed by structural rules that guide how individuals use it, but individuals can also change the meanings and forms of language, which then alters the language structure
• Why do some argue that structural theories are still relevant in contemporary society?

  There is still evidence of structural inequalities based on social class, gender, and ethnicity, and social institutions like the family, media, and education still perform vital functions
• Which microscope would be used to observe the surface features of a cell in detail?

  Scanning electron microscope (SEM)
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research methods?

  Strengths:

  • Provides in-depth, rich data
  • Flexible and adaptable to new information
  • Captures complex phenomena

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Time-consuming and labor-intensive
  • Potential for researcher bias
  • Limited generalizability
  • Difficulty in replicating results
• How does photosynthesis work in plants?

  Process of photosynthesis:

  1. Light absorption by chlorophyll
  2. Light-dependent reactions: water splits, electrons excited
  3. Electron transport chain: ATP and NADPH produced
  4. Calvin cycle (light-independent reactions):

  • CO2 fixation
  • Reduction of fixed carbon
  • Regeneration of RuBP

  1. Glucose and other carbohydrates synthesized
• What is the first derivative of $x^2$?


  $2x$
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of structural theories?

  Strengths:

  • Provide a macro-level perspective on society
  • Identify structural inequalities and social divisions
  • Use positivist methodologies to uncover patterns and trends

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Can be overly deterministic, neglecting individual agency
  • May overlook diversity and complexity within society
  • Struggle to explain social change and individual variations
• What are the key features of structuration theory?

  • Sees both structural forces and individual agency as important
  • Argues that structures provide the rules and resources that guide individual actions
  • But individuals can also change those structures through their reflexive choices and actions
  • Emphasizes the "duality of structure" - structures and agency coexist and are reliant on each other