SociologyLesson 1 of 1 in the course Society and Social Interaction

Durkheim, Marx, and Weber: Classical Sociological Perspectives

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson introduces Émile Durkheim’s functionalist perspective and his explanation of how societies maintain order as they change.

Durkheim argued that society is more than a collection of individuals. Its beliefs, morals, institutions, and patterns of behavior connect people and shape their lives. He called the shared beliefs and attitudes of a society its collective conscience.

All flashcards

What is functionalism in Durkheim’s approach?
A perspective that examines how interconnected parts of society contribute to social order and the functioning of the whole.
What are social facts?
Social forces, such as laws, customs, and moral expectations, that exist beyond any one individual and influence behavior.
How do mechanical and organic solidarity differ?
Mechanical solidarity is based mainly on similarity and shared beliefs; organic solidarity is based on interdependence among people with specialized roles.
What does social integration mean?
The strength of the ties people have to their social groups.
What is anomie, and when can it occur?
Anomie is a condition in which shared norms and moral guidance have weakened. It can occur during major social changes or disruption.

Quiz questions

  1. In Marx’s theory, what does the economic base include?Answer: The economic system and organization of production.
  2. In Marx’s account of industrial capitalism, which group owns or controls productive resources such as factories?Answer: The bourgeoisie
  3. According to Marx, what can cause alienation from the process of labor?Answer: Employers controlling the methods, pace, and conditions of work.
  4. Which three dimensions did Weber distinguish in his analysis of social divisions?Answer: Class, status, and power
  5. What does Weber’s image of the iron cage describe?Answer: Constraints individuals face within rationalized institutions and bureaucracies.

Based on Introduction to Sociology 3e by Tonja R. Conerly, Kathleen Holmes, Asha Lal Tamang (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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