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Sociological Theories

Understanding Social Inequality

Why these frameworks matter

Sociological theories provide frameworks to understand the causes, nature, and consequences of social inequality and difference. Each theoretical perspective offers distinct explanations, highlighting different aspects of social life and offering varying insights into why inequalities persist and what might be done to address them.

Core Theoretical Approaches

Functionalism, Marxism, and feminism are the three key approaches studied in sociology.

1

Functionalism

Consensus perspective focusing on stability and necessary inequality.
2

Marxism

Conflict theory focused on class relations and economic exploitation.
3

Feminism

Challenges gender inequalities and the system of patriarchy.

Functionalist Concepts

Functionalism views inequality as a necessary mechanism to ensure the smooth functioning of society.

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Meritocracy

People succeed based on talent and effort, not ascribed status.
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Value Consensus

Shared norms and values crucial for social solidarity.
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Role Allocation

Unequal rewards motivate individuals to fill important positions.
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Stratification

The Davis-Moore thesis arguing inequality ensures the most qualified fill key roles.

Functionalism: Strengths & Critiques

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The Strengths It explains how inequality is maintained through shared norms and the necessity of role differentiation.
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The Limitations It is criticized for justifying inequality as functional and ignoring structural barriers such as class, gender, or race that limit opportunities.

Key Concepts in Marxism

Marxism is a conflict theory focused on class relations, seeing society divided between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

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Class Conflict

The driver of social change as workers seek to overthrow capitalist domination.
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Exploitation

Capitalists extract surplus value—paying workers less than the value of their labor.
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Alienation

The estrangement of workers from the products of their labor, the labor process, and their potential.
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False Consciousness

Belief systems (ideology) that justify unequal relations and obscure exploitation.

Marxist Analysis

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Economic Structures: While traditional Marxism focused on economic inequalities, neo-Marxism has extended the theory to include cultural and ideological forms of domination, stressing how power is concentrated.

Feminist Concepts

Feminism focuses on gender inequalities and patriarchy—the system of male domination embedded in society.

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Patriarchy

System where men hold disproportionate power in political, economic, and social spheres.
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Dual Burden

Women combine paid employment with unpaid domestic labor.
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Intersectionality

The analysis that gender intersects with class, ethnicity, and other identities.
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Triple Shift

Includes the dual burden plus emotional labor (managing family relationships).

Multiple Feminist Strands

These strands offer different explanations for the root causes of gender inequality.

L

Liberal Feminism

Focuses on equal rights and opportunities.
R

Radical Feminism

Highlights male violence and the pervasive structural nature of patriarchy.
S

Socialist Feminism

Focuses on the combined effects of capitalism and patriarchy.

Comparative Strengths

A comparison of the key contributions of the three macro theories.

Perspective Explains Best Potential Flaw
Functionalism Role Differentiation Justifies Status Quo
Marxism Economic Exploitation Neglects Other Axes
Feminism Gendered Power Includes Intersectionality

Social Action and Social Change

Micro-Perspectives and Resistance

While macro-theories focus on structures, social action theories emphasize individual agency and the subjective experience of inequality. This helps understand identity construction but underplays structural constraints.

Inequalities are maintained by social control mechanisms, but social movements challenge inequalities, showing that social change is possible through collective action informed by awareness.
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Sociological Theories Deck
Q
Functionalism's view on social inequality

What is Functionalism's view on social inequality?

A
Answer

Inequality is necessary for social stability and ensures efficient role allocation.

Q
Meritocratic ideal in Functionalism

What is the "meritocratic" ideal in Functionalism?

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Answer

People succeed based on talent and effort, not ascribed status.

Q
Marxism focus

What does Marxism focus on?

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Answer

Class relations, economic inequality, and conflict between bourgeoisie and proletariat.

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Marxism explanation of inequality

How does Marxism explain inequality?

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Answer

Capitalists exploit workers by extracting surplus value, creating class conflict.

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Alienation in Marxist theory

What is alienation in Marxist theory?

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Answer

Workers' estrangement from their labor, products, and human potential due to capitalism.

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Feminism analysis

What does Feminism analyze?

A
Answer

Gender inequalities and patriarchy as structures of male domination.

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Dual burden in Feminism

Define "dual burden" in Feminism.

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Answer

Women juggling paid work plus unpaid domestic labor.

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Intersectionality

What is intersectionality?

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Answer

The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as gender, race, and class.

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Davis-Moore thesis

What is the Davis-Moore thesis?

A
Answer

Social inequality ensures the most qualified fill key societal roles, benefiting society.

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Critique of Functionalism

Name a critique of Functionalism.

A
Answer

It justifies inequality and ignores structural barriers and conflict.

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False consciousness in Marxism

What is false consciousness in Marxism?

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Answer

Ideological beliefs that prevent workers from realizing exploitation.

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Main sociological theories

Name three main sociological theories explaining inequality.

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Answer

Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism.

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Feminist view of patriarchy

How do feminists view patriarchy?

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Answer

As a system where men hold disproportionate power in society.

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Social action theory emphasis

What does social action theory emphasize?

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Answer

Individual agency and subjective meanings in social inequalities.

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Social control mechanisms

How do social control mechanisms maintain inequality?

A
Answer

Through laws, norms, institutions, and dominant ideologies.

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🌸 Sociological Theories Quiz

1. Functionalism views social inequality as:

Functionalists argue inequality motivates individuals to fill essential roles, maintaining order.

2. According to Marxism, what causes social inequality?

Marxism centers on class conflict where capitalists profit by exploiting workers.

3. Which feminist concept describes women’s responsibility for paid work, housework, and emotional labor?

The triple shift includes paid work, unpaid domestic labor, and emotional labor.

4. The Davis-Moore thesis argues that:

The thesis claims inequality ensures capable individuals occupy vital roles.

5. A key critique of Functionalism is:

Functionalism assumes meritocracy and neglects oppression and conflict.

6. Which theory highlights ideology and false consciousness as tools to maintain inequality?

Marxism argues ruling classes use ideology to mask exploitation.

7. Intersectionality in feminism refers to:

Intersectionality explains how gender, race, class, and other categories interact.

📊 Results

  • Notes and Quiz
  • Sociology
  • AS Level
  • Sociological Theories
  • OCR