SOCL 3601 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Consumerism, David Riesman, Symbolic Interactionism
Document Summary
Friday, september 21, 2012: macro-level theories, structural-functionalism. Looks at the functions of the different parts of society and how one change in society can cause change in the other parts. Looking at society in its whole: conflict theory. Takes ideas and puts them in a broader perspective. Looks at social life and social change in terms of conflict and competition between various groups as a driving force in society. Economic determinism - economy determines the shape and form of all. Pillars of marx: other institutions within society by the dominance of particular economic system; when one is overthrown, another replaces it. Historical materialism - every epoch of human history can be designated: both of these theoretical perspectives take a macro level view of society. Society is something that exists above and beyond the individual. Society places constraints on opportunity and makes/shapes the individual: micro-level theories, symbolic interactionism. We create competent societies because of it: behaviorism.
