Download 1.2 Perspectives Review

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Sociology Assignment 1.2 – Perspectives Quiz
1.2 demonstrate an understanding of major sociological perspectives
• Identify key figures in the development of the discipline of sociology.
• Explore multiple theoretical perspectives and viewpoints used in sociological analyzes (e.g.,
functionalism, conflict, symbolic interactionism, feminism, post-modern).
• Recognize examples of major perspectives.
• Differentiate sociological perspectives from the perspectives of other social sciences.
Match each definition with the correct perspective. Put the correct letter in the box
1. The sociological approach that view groups in
society as engaged in a continuous power
struggle for control of scarce resources.
A. Functionalist
Perspective
2. The sociological approach that views society
as the sum of the interactions of individuals
and groups. This approach is based on a
microlevel analysis, which focuses on small
groups rather than large-scale social
structures.
B. Conflict Perspective
3. The sociological approach that attempts to
explain social life in modern societies that are
characterized by post-industrialization,
consumerism, and global communications.
C. Symbolic Interactionist
Perspective
4. The sociological approach that views society
as a stable, orderly system. This stable system
is characterized by societal consensus
whereby the majority of members share a
common set of values, beliefs, and
behavioural expectations (i.e. social solidarity).
D. Feminist Perspective
5. The sociological approach that focuses on the
significance of gender in understanding and
explaining inequalities that exist between men
and women in the household, in the paid
labour force, and in the realms of politics, law,
and culture.
E. Post-modern
Perspective
Indicate if the perspectives below are Functionalist, Conflict, Feminist, Symbolic
Interactionist, or Postmodern Perspective.
Do information technologies bind people together, or do they create a world where
people feel only distantly involved? Media representations may establish “fake”
realities in the absence of real knowledge about events or their causes.
Females are more likely to attempt suicide, whereas males are likelier to actually
take their own lives. For women this is due to gender gaps in employment, politics,
education, and other areas of social life; women experience feelings of
powerlessness and alienation in a male-dominated society.
Focus is on the various meanings that are attributed to the act of suicide. In
cultures that define suicide as a brave or heroic act, we can expect an increase in
suicide rates. Suicide is viewed by some as a socially acceptable solution to life’s
problems. Focus is primarily on the individual and small-group context of
behaviour.
Racial oppression may explain the high suicide rates of some minority groups. For
example, social inequality and racial discrimination are factors that have led to
high suicide rate in Aboriginal communities.
Suicide rates are higher among young people because of the pressures of social
class and the capitalist economy, and they perceive that they have no future
because of their low-income background.
Suicide rates may increase because people are uncertain about how to act due to
social change or disruptive behaviour, which has eroded shared social values.
People are most likely to kill themselves when social solidarity (shared beliefs) is
very weak.
Based on these statements what sociological perspective best fits each of these sociologists?
Sociologist
Statement
Harriet Martineau
paid special attention to social
distinctions in the U.S. based on race,
class, and gender; and advocated
racial and gender equality
Karl Marx
believed that the primary form of
oppression was rooted in class
divisions, and that conflict is necessary
to produce a better society
Emile Durkheim
stressed that people are the product of
their social environment, and social
facts exert control over each person
Perspective