Sociological theory

• Structuralists 


  Society controls us and our behaviour through institutions like the family, education, media, peers, and religion

  • Marxists
  • Feminists
  • Functionalists
• Interactionists

  Individuals control society so it is the individual and their interactions that should be studied.
• Functionalism theory

  Every aspect of society has a function that works together to keep society successful, like parts of a plant (organic analogy.)

  • Society works best when there is consensus over shared values.
  • Institutions are important as they help to maintain value consensus.
  • We live in a meritocratic society so inequality is justified.
• Criticisms of Functionalism

  1. Deterministic view of human behaviour
  2. Fails to explain conflict in society
  3. Meritocracy is fake
• Marxism theory

  The capitalist society creates conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

  • Bourgeoisie own means of production, proletariat own nothing but their labour to sell.
  • Proletariat are exploited through low wages whilst the bourgeoisie steal the surplus value from their labour
• Ruling class ideology (Marxism)

  Value consensus is actually just the ideas of the ruling class that we are brainwashed into agreeing with. This leads us to believe that capitalism is reasonable in a false class consciousness whereby we are unaware of the oppression we really face.
• Criticisms of Marxism

  1. Deterministic - people are the puppets of society
  2. Emergence of the middle-class which Marxism cannot explain
  3. Doesn't show other inequalities, like gender and ethnicity
• Feminist Theory 


  Social divisions between men and women are the main conflict of interest in society. Men dominate women in all areas of social life, leading to a system of inequality that benefits men.

  • Men hold top jobs despite equality laws
  • Girls are socialised into accepting male authority
  • Differences between men and women are socially constructed, not inevitable.
• Criticisms of Feminism

  1. Ignores other suffering in society
  2. Can treat all women as one group despite age, ethnicity, and social class
• Interactionism theory 


  Focus should be on the way people act and the meanings and motives attached to their behaviour (social action theorists)

  • More power as individuals to shape society - not passive puppets.
  • Roles are clusters of meaning that are subject to change
  • Groups will develop shared values but will usually not be in complete agreement
• Criticisms of Interactionism

  1. Fails to give a big picture of society and patterns
  2. Underestimate the extent to which we are controlled
• Postmodernist Theory 


  Postmodernism builds on the modernist movement after the industrial revolution but says it fails to explain the rapid social change that occurred as a result of digitalisation

  • Social change is rapid - old structures are disintegrating
  • New culture emerging that impacts our identity
  • More emphasis on consumerism
  • Identity is more fluid and changeable
• Criticisms of Postmodernism

  1. Overstates the social changes that have occurred
  2. Social structures still matter
  3. Social class is still important - infinite choices aren't applicable to all