theory and methods

• Functionalism

  structural consensus approach to society

  believe that the institutions of society work together in order to maintain social cohesion and social order

  society is similar to the human body - organic analogy
• functionalism key thinkers

  • durkheim
  • parsons
  • merton
• marxism

  structural conflict approach that believes that society is in conflict between the classes they believe that the bourgeoise oppress the proletariat through various social institutions without their full knowledge
• marxism key thinkers

  • marx
  • engels
  • althusser
  • gramsci
• feminism

  set of structural conflict approaches which see society as a conflict between men and women. They look at ways that women are oppressed/disadvantaged by various social institutions and the means by which equality can be

  achieved.
• feminsm key thinkers

  • oakley
  • firestone
• interactionism

  A micro set of approaches which look at how the individual influences their society through their interactions with others and the social institutions.

  Interactionism includes Phenomenology,

  Ethnomethodology, Social Action theory and

  Symbolic interactionism
• interactionism key thinkers

  • goffman - impression management
  • cooley
  • weber
• postmodernism

  A broad approach which sees society in a more diverse and less structured way. They believe that

  people have much more choice which means that

  they shape their reality and culture to their own

  needs.
• postmodernism key thinkers

  • lyotard
  • baudrillard
  • foucault
  • giddens