Structural Theories

• What is meant by Structural Theory?

  • Top-down approaches
  • They are macro approaches, looking at large scale structures like society as a whole and its institutions.
  • Society is a real thing existing above us, shaping our ideas and controlling our behaviour
  • Individuals are like puppets, controlled by our society. (deterministic)
• What are three examples of structural theories?

  • Functionalism
  • Marxism
  • Feminism
• What can the three structural theories be further divided into?

  Consensus theories (e.g. functionalism) and Conflict theories (e.g. Marxism and Feminism).