Advanced flashcards focusing on sociological theory, research methodologies, and their epistemological and ontological debates for A-Level preparation.
20 cards
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The Impact of Feminism on Sociology
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Feminism transformed sociology by challenging the 'malestream' view, reintroducing the 'personal' as political (e.g., domestic violence), and critiquing sex-role theory for biologizing gender differences. It shifted the focus from public to private spheres.
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Subjectivity vs. Objectivity (Epistemology)
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Subjectivism (Interpretivism) argues that to understand human action, we must grasp the subjective meanings actors give to their actions. Objectivism (Positivism) argues that social facts exist independently of individuals and can be measured objectively like natural phenomena.
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Postmodernism: The Death of Meta-Narratives
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Postmodernists like Lyotard argue that 'grand narratives' (e.g., Marxism, Functionalism) that claim to explain the whole of society are no longer credible. Instead, society is characterized by fragmentation, diversity, and cultural choice.
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Situational vs. Structural Explanations
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A fundamental debate: Structural explanations (e.g., Positivists) argue behavior is shaped by social forces (class, socialization). Situational explanations (e.g., Douglas) argue individuals act based on the immediate context and how they interpret their situation.
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Interpretivism and Verstehen
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Associated with Weber and Schutz, this approach emphasizes understanding the subjective meanings of social action. It requires 'Verstehen' (empathetic understanding) to see the world through the actor's eyes, rejecting the methods of natural sciences.
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