Postmodernity & Postmodernism Flashcards Preview

Theory & Methods - Sociology AQA > Postmodernity & Postmodernism > Flashcards

Flashcards in Postmodernity & Postmodernism Deck (26)
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1
Q

postmodernism - bauman

A

society is constantly changing & unpredictable

2
Q

postmodernism - liquid modernity

A

social structures are breaking down due to chaos and uncertainty

3
Q

postmodernism - effects of globalisation

A

the world is becoming interconnected so national differences is irrelevant
national cultures are weakened
people draw consumer lifestyles from global culture than traditional sources of identity

4
Q

postmodernism - disembedding

A

peoples lives are influenced by the global framework and not embedded in local context

5
Q

postmodernism - metanarratives

A

theories explain society as a whole, society is changing constantly so it no longer applies
society is chaotic and fragmented into different groups, interests and lifestyles

6
Q

postmodernism - myth of truth

A

no longer as all kinds of knowledge is equally valid

social life is diverse so can’t explain everything from a single perspective

7
Q

postmodernism - thoughts soon rational thought, science, technology

A

not seen as means of progress
often causes problems
pollution, antibiotic resistance

8
Q

postmodernism - individualisation

A

few social bonds connect individuals

individuals form their lifestyles though individual choice

9
Q

postmodernism - pick ‘n’ mix

A

people can customise their identities/lifestyles from the media-saturated consumer culture globally

10
Q

postmodernism - media-saturated society

A

postmodern era dominated by media imagery

11
Q

postmodernism - baudrillard

A

media images distorts/dominates the way we see the world

12
Q

postmodernism - simulacra

A

images that appear to reflect things in the real world but have no basis in reality

13
Q

postmodernism - hyperreality

A

view of the world created by the media
ral event images are so distorted they replace reality
- war becoming media-constructed spectacles due to sanitisation
- deirdre barlow

14
Q

postmodernism - why people pick ‘n’ mix identities?

A

search for satisfaction of media-created desires to consume

to adopt different identities base don consumer lifestyles to meet diversity in their lives

15
Q

postmodernism - how is individual identity formed?

A

information gained by the media rather than structural factors

16
Q

postmodernism - you are what you buy

A

batman

life = shopping mall - people try out, construct and change whatever identities they choose

17
Q

postmodernism - why do people buy goods?

A

as identity symbols for image/impression rather than usefulness

18
Q

postmodernism evaluation - strengths

A
  • highlights important cultural change
  • emphasises identity being more fluid/complex process, not reduced to social structural factors
  • explains contemporary social changes
  • encourages sociologists to reflect on their assumptions, research and meaning of social contemporary changes
19
Q

postmodernism evaluation - criticisms (just criticises)

A

lacks any vision for improving society

ignores range of social problems

20
Q

postmodernism evaluation - criticisms (over-emphasises influence of media)

A

assumes people are passive & easily manipulated

people are able to make judgements on what is/is not real

21
Q

postmodernism evaluation - criticisms (exaggerates scale of social change)

A

cultural tastes still strongly influenced by social factors

national cultures still strong

22
Q

postmodernism evaluation - criticisms (voluntaristic)

A

assume all individuals are free to act and idk identities
ignores differences in power and social inequality
social structural factors exert major influence

23
Q

postmodernism evaluation - criticisms (metanarrative)

A

dismissing themselves as having nothing more valid than any other theory

24
Q

postmodernism evaluation - giddens (late modernity & reflexivity)

A

individualisation caused a runaway world and risk society
continuation of modern society in intense form, not a new era
adapted no abandoned traditional sociological theories

25
Q

postmodernism evaluation - beck (risk society)

A

risks occur rapidly in social institutions
people, governments, institutions reflect to resolve problems to change society
people have lost trust in government/scientists ability to manage risks so make individualised choices

26
Q

postmodernism evaluation - harvey & marxism

A

changes explained by postmodernity can be explained by modernist theories
globalisation, individualisation, consumerism reflect capitalism opening up new markets for profit
distinction between modernity & postmodernity is exaggerates, it is the latest development within modernity
governments still have the power to intervene to improve society