Download Sociological theories and pop culture

 Culturescope Resources: Popular Culture
Sociological Theories and Popular Culture
by Jodi Arrow, Macarthur Girls High School
Throughout the history of the discipline of Sociology, there have been several
major schools of thought which have developed. These are designed to give us
a framework for thinking about how society works and each is informed by a
particular sociological position. While it is not always possible to fit all aspects
of society into each of these frameworks in a neat and easy way, it can be useful
to gain an insight into the role of different institutions (like media) in the
functioning of society. We are going to look at three main ones: Functionalism,
Conflict Theory and Symbolic Interactionism.
Functionalism
Macro theory - looks at
society from the 'top
down' and constructs a
'grand narrative'
Conflict Theory
Also a Macro theory 'grand narrative'
Based on the theories of
Based on the theories of
Emile Durkheim and
Karl Marx
Talcott Parsons
Uses the analogy of
society as being like a
human body, made up of
inter-dependent
institutions (like family,
education, government,
media). When one
institution fails in its
role, the other
institutions work harder
to compensate for it. Society is always aiming
for a state of equilibrium
and continuity.
Sees conflict as being
central to change in
society. Originally, Marx
saw this as being the
conflict between the
economic classes which
would lead to revolution
or war and eventually a
temporary resolution. Modern conflict theories
have focussed less on
class conflict and more
on the conflict between
competing interests in
society (over things like
religion, race, politics,
gender etc). These
theories see conflict as
being resolved through
either the precedence of
the interests of the
Symbolic
Interactionism
Micro theory - looks at
society from the position
of individuals. This
provides an alternative
to the macro theories. No 'grand narrative'!
Based on the theories of
George Herbert Mead
Sees individuals in
society as being the
products of their
personal interactions
with elements of society
throughout their lives. This then affects their
perception of elements
of society and how they
interpret those elements.
Mead sees all of us as
being the product of our
own social experiences,
and therefore we will
dominant group, or
through compromise by
both sides.
Through socialisation,
education and the role of
ideology, people accept
Members of society
their roles and act
accept their roles within
accordingly. Ideologies
it (often unconsciously)
are created and
and act accordingly. perpetuated by the 'ruling
This limits their personal
class' which is designed
power and decisionto reinforce their position
making ability.
and maintain the
oppression of the
submissive classes.
As a theory, explains
continuity, not change. Suggests that all change
is gradual and
progressive - things are
getting better.
Was designed as a
response to
Functionalism that
explains radical change sees radical change as
inevitable.
interpret society in a
unique way.
People construct their
own social reality. They
are socialised to accept
certain meanings for
'symbols' through
interactions,
socialisation etc.
People agree on these
meanings, which creates
a common social reality.
Mead then looks at how
these social realities
effect society.
Isn't trying to find a
grand narrative of
change OR continuity is looking at the 'nuts
and bolts'.
Putting the Theories into Practice!
Sociologists are often concerned with the role of norms in our society - how
people learn them, how they are reinforced, and what purpose they serve. The norm: That in Australian society you have to have a job, which gives
you your sense of self-worth. According to this norm, to be unemployed is
shameful and to be avoided at all costs.
How do people learn it?
Through socialisation
by the institutions of
family and education.
The education system is
designed and run by the
ruling classes. They
perpetuate the ideology of
'work-is-good-for-you'.
People's socialisation
and personal
experiences allow them
to construct the
meaning of work
individually. For
example, if both parents
work, they experience
the financial benefits of
working, and see poor
people who don't work
as 'missing out'.
How is it reinforced?
Symbolic
Interactionists see this
from a micro
Through workforce
culture, peers, media,
family and the
government
Institutions that are run by
the ruling classes,
especially the media.
perspective - for some
people it is reinforced
through their personal
experiences. However,
for others, their
personal experiences
may preclude the
reinforcement of this
norm, eg, parents not
working.
What purpose does it serve?
The primary purpose is
to maintain the health
of the workforce. The
secondary purpose is to
maintain the health of
the government,
family, and the
reproduction of norms
in future generations.
On an individual level,
reinforces the desire to
Allows the ruling classes to
work. But Symbolic
exploit the working classes
Interactionists aren't
by convincing them that
concerned with a macro
what they're doing is
purpose. They want to
'normal' and 'good for
know why some people
them'.
accept the norms and
why others reject it.
So What About Teen Movies?
Functionalists see
popular culture as a
response to the laws of
cultural supply and
demand - the creation
of teen movies can be
seen as an attempt to
adapt to the postWWII change in
society that saw the
creation of this new
market of teenagers. The teen movie has
allowed teens to be
absorbed into the
social structure in a
coherent way, and has
perpetuated this
distinction over time. Teens are kept as a
different but integrated
and accepted social
group.
Conflict theorists would see
teen movies as part of the
perpetuation of ideology in
society. They would focus
on the portrayal of
ideologies relating to class,
race and gender in teen
movies as reinforcing the
oppressive norms in our
society. Conflict theorists
would also be look at the
perpetuation of
consumption ideology
through the films - earning,
and more importantly
spending, money will make
you happy, promotion of
particular products etc.
Symbolic
Interactionists would
look at how individuals
interact with and are
socialised by teen
movies. The audience
views and interprets the
symbols presented in
the films and this
affects the way they
interpret not only the
films themselves, but
the symbols in their
own lives. So the way
an audience interprets a
symbol in a film
(simply, an image,
institution, person or
thing) will be entirely
determined by their
previous interactions
with other iterations of
that symbol. Then, the
way they interpret the
symbol in the film will
also determine the way
they interact with and
interpret those symbols
in future - in media and
in 'reality'.