Introducing Social Theory: Third edition

by Pip Jones

One of the traditional ways in which sociologists explain the order and predictability of social life is by regarding human behaviour as learned

behaviour.

Consensus theory thus argues that a society’s cultural rules determine, or structure, the behaviour of its members, channelling their actions in certain ways rather than others.

Sociologists call positions in a social structure roles. The rules that structure the behaviour of their occupants are called norms.

central values or core values,

conflict of interests

not equal.

‘Who benefits from the particular set of rules prevailing in this society, rather than some other set?’

two main premises:

social structures consist of unequally advantaged groups;

maintained by force