...Evaluate the Functionalist contribution to our understanding of society. (33) Functionalism is one of the earliest sociological theories; it was a development from the first sociological theories developed by Auguste Comte in the early part of the 19thC. Comte developed sociology as ‘the Queen of the Sciences’ in order to use a scientific approach to understanding society. In addition to this scientific approach, he believed that society had a structure and each element of the structure played a particular role in the functioning of society. Emile Durkheim developed these ideas into a sociological perspective which we now call Functionalism. This perspective continued to be modified and developed until the middle of the 20thC when other perspectives gained importance. Functionalists believe that society is a social system made up of interrelated parts, which have specific functions to perform. Durkheim’s organic analogy suggests that society is like a living organism, just like the human body it is made up of organs which have specific functions to perform to keep the body alive, so society has institutions which have specific functions to perform which keep society in a state of equilibrium. Functionalism is therefore a Structuralist theory, examining the structures or institutions of society to see how they work to benefit society. Durkheim believed that society existed external to the individual and controlled the actions of individuals through social integration...
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...that the best people get the best jobs because they are more talented and work harder. Poor people are poor because they do not work hard enough for the best positions. They are many functionalist sociologist who have put forward theories that explain the view on inequality in society. One of these is Durkheim. He argued strongly for the organic analogy because he said we share values and norms. He said that different people in different jobs represents the different organisms of the body. Society itself is more than the sum of the people who go to make up that society. He believes we live in a meritocratic society. There are opportunities to reach different levels and social mobility exists. This means that individuals have to compete with each other for different positions, and those who possess the best skills or are the most talented will be more sucsessful. Functionalists claim that inequality and stratification is functional and inevitable for society and a source of social order. Davis and Moore proposed this theory. For Davis and Moore Stratification is a system of status positions and jobs. The key point of the theory is that Stratification is universal and necessary. This is argued because all society is stratified. Davis and Moore went on to claim that society needs to fill the most...
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...Sociology Homework: Examine the sociological explanations of unequal distributions of wealth and income in contemporary Britain (24 marks) There are five main sociological explanations of unequal distributions of wealth and income in contemporary Britain that I will be discussing as well as explaining within this essay. One sociological explanation for the unequal distribution of wealth and income in contemporary Britain is because it is necessary for the maintenance of society. This is argued by functionalists such as Davis and Moore who suggest that inequality in wealth and income is very significant due to the fact that some jobs are seen as more functionally important than others. As well as this, they believe that meritocratic values such as wages need to be imbalanced in order for the most capable people to have the best and highest jobs. A prime example of this would be of road cleaners who would earn about 9,000 a year where as a C.E.O of a computing company earns over millions a year. This links to contemporary Britain because it portrays how income and even wealth is unevenly shared out between proletariats and the bourgeoisie and most importantly it indicates at how low-paid wages would be the result of poverty. This theory can be criticised because it infers to some jobs being more important than others which is not true as every job in society contributes in helping society progress and become better, in this case being a road cleaner would be just as important...
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...FACTORS LEADING TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP 1 FACTORS LEADING TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP Psychological Factors Sociological Factors Personality Traits/Factors Cultural Factors Economic Factors Legal-political Factors Technological Factors 2 PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS Need for achievement Propensity for risk taking Self confidence will be driven into engaging in successful entrepreneurial activities Locus of control construct 3 PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS (cont’d.) Locus of control construct High self esteem with high internal locus of control exhibiting initiative commitment and perseverance with a high tolerance for ambiguity Individuals differ on perceived locus of control It is perceived to be intentional Individuals with greater internal locus of control take responsibility for rewards following success An individual with a greater locus of control is not affected greatly by either success or failure The involvement results from personal needs regulated by their values beliefs &attitudes 4 PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS (cont’d.) Need for achievement High need for achievement – setting goals strategies and working for the attainment of the goal 5 PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS (cont’d.) Propensity for risk taking Propensity to take moderate, calculated and controllable risks be it psychic, financial etc Self confidence An individual will be driven into engaging in successful entrepreneurial activities ...
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...*name *name Spring, 2013 Contents: 1 INTRODUCTION 3 2 Social constructivist perspective of schizophrenia 4 3 CONCLUSION 7 REFERENCES 8 INTRODUCTION In this paper we analyze the concept according to which mental illness is as much a socially constructed disease as it is a physiological one and especially the example of schizophrenia, one of the oldest, most documented, and least understood of all the behaviors that fall under society’s category of mental illness. One of the most influential theoretical positions evident in the sociology of health and illness over the past 30 years has been social constructivism. A central assumption within this broad approach is that reality is not self-evident, stable and waiting to be discovered, but instead it is a product of human activity. In this broad sense all versions of social constructivism can be identified as a reaction against positivism and naive realism. There are multiple intellectual roots of a social constructionist approach to illness. Some of the basic building blocks are evident in the writings of early sociological thinkers (Durkheim, Mannheim, Thomas), but one of the most important intellectual foundations of the social construction of illness is social problems theory and research from the 1960s and 1970s. Distancing themselves from positivist interpretations, scholars in this tradition asserted that what comes to be identified as deviant behavior or a social problem is not...
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...Academic reflective essay The essay will focus on the patient involved in the given case study named as Mrs. S. In addition, the essay will give a relevant and brief history of the patient. It will also define the term ‘bio-psycho-social’ and its relevance to holistic care. For the point of discussion, the essay will focus on the management of care for patient with gastrointestinal illness resulting in stoma operation and will discuss the biopsychosocial factors affecting the patient and how this changes ‘normal’ biology, psychology and sociology. The individual chosen to focus on is named as Mrs. S. The patient involved in this case study Mrs. S. is a 48 years old lady who works in school as a teacher. She lives with her husband, Mr. S, in a small town. Her husband works as a builder, which has long working hours, leaving him not much time to look after their children. They have two girls and they are aged 12 and 10. They are a loving family. Mrs. S looks after the children, takes them to school and pick them up. Mrs. S is a very active lady with a very active social life, she likes to meet up with her friends during the weekend; she swims four days a week with her children, and she balances her time with family and her job. She is suffering from mild hypertension, drinks minimal amount of alcohol during the weekends and smokes 5-10 cigarettes a day. The term ‘bio-psycho-social’ refers to the relationship amongst biological, psychological and social characteristics of an...
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...To explain the role of education we need to look at education through different theories, a theory is a way of looking at the world. Within Sociology there are a number of theories, these include; Functionalism, Marxism, Interactionism, Feminism and Post-modern theory. Functionalists believe that society is made up of four parts; the Economy, the family, decision making and education. They believe that each part functions for the good of the whole. French Sociologist Emile Durkheim defined the major function of education from a Functionalist view as “the transmission of society’s norms and values”, the role of education is to socialise children into these norms and values which include behaviour, discipline, respect and manners (Haralambo and Holborn, 2008). The functionalist approach argues that education has three functions, it teaches the skills needed in work whether these are general or specific skills, it socialises young people into key cultural values needed to maintain society and it allocates people to the most appropriate jobs using examinations and qualifications. Functionalists put an emphasis on positive aspects of schools such as socialisation and the learning of skills and attitudes. Schools have rules and regulations and a system of reward and punishment such as stickers for good behaviour and detention for mis-behaviour. American sociologist Parson defines education as a system that selects children into the most appropriate roles because it is “Meritocratic”...
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...2014 The two theories that I have selected is Psychological and sociological. Will identify each theory and also describe them in this paper. Also with each theory will explain how drug use and abuse. Talk about how each theory may have a support a strong relationship between drug use and crime. Will talk about two different articles that an individual was charged with a crime while under the influence of illicit substances. Psychological Theory Psychological theory focus primarily on the nature of individual experiences which might make one more susceptible to drug use and/or addiction. Based on the notion that addiction is a manifestation of a unique type of personality. More commonly, psychologists have pointed to an addictive personality. Recently, psychologists identify “personality characteristics” that tend to be associated with drug addiction. Jerome Jaffe suggested 3 personality features characteristic of marijuana users: Non-conventionality, open to new experiences, and lower rates of conventional achievement value. Basically, the psychological theory explains that drug use and abuse begins because of the unconscious motivations within all of us. We are not aware of these motivations, not even when they manifest themselves. So, there are unconscious conflicts and motivations that reside within us as well as our reactions to early events in our lives that move a person toward drug use and abuse. The motivations for drug use are within us, and we are not aware...
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...Documents on NQ Online can be downloaded free. However, where the publications are the copyright of Learning and Teaching Scotland, educational establishments in Scotland may reproduce them in whole or in part provided that the source is acknowledged and that no profit accrues at any stage. Other users of these publications should contact Learning and Teaching Scotland before reproducing any of them. Please note all rights held by the former Higher Still Development Unit continue to be held by Learning and Teaching Scotland. Contents Statement of Standards 3 Guide to Learning and Teaching Pack 7 Introduction to the Unit and Learning and Teaching Approaches 8 Class stratification 9 Recommended reading and recommended websites for class stratification 10 Introduction to social stratification 11 Class stratification 15 Functionalist theory of class stratification 24 Summary of functionalism 29 Marxist theory of class stratification 33 Summary of Marxism 39 Weberian theory of class stratification 42 Summary of Weberianism 47 Aspect: social mobility 50 Aspect: social closure 52 Practice exam essay question...
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...force and the accompanying restrictions to entry, the effects of employment merit analysis. One could possibly make the argument that of employment's causal relationships, perhaps none are more important than employment's affect on one's health. Indeed, “occupational conditions have consequences for physical health outcomes” (Wickrama Lorenz 363). Further, “A central theoretical proposition of sociology states that social structural positions have dramatic effects on life chances” (Link Lennon 1351). However, one is left wondering how is this possible, that is, how exactly is it that whether or not one is employed is able to influence one's health? One possible mechanism through which employment influences health is the relatively new sociological concept of social capital. Robert Putnam writes, “Mounting evidence suggests that people whose lives are rich...
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...Assignment 2--- White Collar Crime Theories, Law, and Processes Lucas McPherson Professor Dr. Matthew Miko LEG 200 – White Collar Crime in Government, Business, and Labor December 21, 2011. 1. Explain white collar crime in terms of various theories related to criminology and crime. There are several basic theories in which white collar crime can be explained relating to criminology and crime. We must look at several concepts and behaviors and take certain metaphysical, ontological, and epistemological assumption about the ultimate nature of reality and being into consideration. Example, is reality subjective or objective? Is causation simply a human construct, or is it something that can be definitively and objectively established? The latter were two questions to approach some explanation of the theories of white collar crime and the criminological concept of the offenders in this sector. There are the sociological, biogenetic, psychological, and sociogenic explanation to white collar criminology and crime. The most basic theory of criminality states that criminals are different in some fundamental way from non-criminals. Then the nature of the difference must be identified. On a Sociological level the propensity to commit crimes, is shown to vary among various segments of the population or among different organization. The biogenetic explanation of criminality became especially influential in the nineteenth century. This states that criminals...
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...university students conducted in South Africa in 2004 and 2007. We report on the differences between male and females students access to and use of ICTs for learning. In particular we note that whilst equal opportunities do largely exist for both genders, there are subtle differences in terms of female students practical access and sense of personal agency. Findings about use are complicated with male students using ICTs more frequently particularly in the sciences disciplines and for activities such as information seeking and communication (in contrast to research elsewhere). In order to try and better understand our findings we explore four different theoretical perspectives namely; Bourdieu’s notion of habitus; Feminist Standpoint Theory; Critical Information Systems Theory; and Expectations States Theory. We then suggest using Bourdieu’s notion of habitus as we believe it offers us the most flexibility whilst enabling a gender focus to be maintained,. Introduction Research findings about gender differences and ICT access and use are complex and contradictory. While only a decade ago researchers were united about gender difference with regards to ICT access and use, recent discussions about gender divides are less emphatic, but more varied. Although more studies are now reporting no gap between men and women with regards to ICT use in education (Rice and Katz 2003; Pejout 2004; Wasserman and Richmond-Abbott 2005), others are noting that differences continue to exist, but more...
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...Substance Abuse and Effects on Society Tracy Moore SOC203: Social Problems Brianne Larsen November 24, 2014 Social Problem Substance abuse leads to an inability for the user to be responsible. The behaviors can lead to dangerous situations, legal problems, and social or interpersonal problems. After time substance abuse can have a physiological symptoms including tolerance that leads to addiction. The cost of this personal decision causes the government millions in the criminal system, destroys families and children involved, and causes more deaths a year than car accidents. Qualifying Social Problem Goldstein talks about the tripartite model to describe the characteristics, behaviors, and events associated with social institutions and/or influences. The model represents the psychopharmacologic, economic compulsive, and systemic dimensions that link substance abuse to crime. There is the psychological and biological effects that cause anger, violence, and lack of self-control. There are crimes committed to obtain money to buy drugs. Followed with the violent crimes related to trafficking and distribution of drugs usually involving violence, guns, and death (2012). Core values are also violated because of the behavior of addicts. There is a lack of; self-control, responsibility, consideration for others, proper parenting that would ensure the safety of their children and family. Those who abuse substances also disrupt institutions associated with the health...
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...determinant of identity and suggest that societies are now organised around consumption rather than production, consequently people now identify themselves in terms of what they consume rather than in terms of social-class position. Class identity has therefore fragmented into numerous separate and individualised identities. Others argue that class is still a central influence on people’s lives, that it affects their life chances (health, education, voting, social mobility etc.), they argue that class inequality exists and that such inequalities are widening rather than narrowing. Early theories such as Functionalist theory argue that inequality is functional for society since it makes sure that those who show the most potential talent are encouraged to develop this talent through higher education and training, with the promise of higher incomes when they qualify (deferred gratification). They state that in order for society to function properly, society must make sure that people fully use their talents. Inequalities stem from the fact that society values different roles in different ways, based on the shared norms and values of a society. Davis and Moore argue that inequality is inevitable in modern society because people need to be put into different positions based on merit. They argue that society is a meritocracy and that there is equal opportunity for all, those who are the most talented and have increased their talent via education and training will therefore occupy the...
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...and Modern Racism The Barber Shop 1- I accompanied a friend of mine, Phillip, to his barber shop in his neighborhood at 49th and Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. In this neighborhood, I was instructed by Phil to carry my legal weapon being the lone Caucasian in the predominately black/Hispanic neighborhood, due to the violence of gang activity. So after being instructed to wear neutral colors such as white or black, we went so he could get a haircut. My normally clean cut self is definitely out of my environment. We park his car in a parking lot on the corner, and he is immediately greeted by a group of 3 young dark skinned black men, in dark baggy oversized clothing with brand new flat brimmed hats and Jordan basketball shoes. They exchange a handshake and we move towards the barber shop. At this point I am observed as the outsider, from the little kids playing on the corner to the gang members selling what I can assume is crack, judging by the tweaking, raggedy, twitchy individuals dropping money off and running away. We enter the barber shop that was built in, what appears to be the mid 1950’s. Inside, is a replica of the Eddie Murphy movie, “Coming to America” except for an old Jewish man there is a surprisingly, a 65 year old Asian man named Han sitting in the corner. There are 3 black barbers who address myself as cracker when I enter with phil. There are photos of famous, powerful African Americans on the wall. Dr. King, Henry Aaron, Rosa Parks, and...
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