Sociology Exam 1

sociology

the systematic study of human society and social behavior, from large-scale institutions and mass culture to small groups and individual interactions- to further understanding about human behavior, hopefully resulting in research and information that will enhance and improve our experiences as human beings in a social world

Sociological imagination

the ability to participate in the social world and simultaneously step back and thoughtfully consider the larger impact of social structures in our daily lives- think about how social conditions affect our daily lives- intersection between biology and history

Beginners mind

an open approach devoid of assumptions, biases, conjecture. It is also admitting what you don't know- as humans we make snap judgments and categorize- intention and reflection are key- not just "common sense"

Development of sociology as an academic discipline

caused by: industrial revolution, imperialism, and success of natural sciences

Their or paradigms

a set of statement(s) or explanations about how some part of the (social) world works. Often these paradigms guide research

Microtheories

the level of analysis that studies face-to-face and small-group interactions in order to understand how they affect the larger patterns and structures of society- symbolic interactions

Macrotheories

addresses societal level issues such as poverty, inequality of gender and race- functionalism and conflict theory

Mid-range theories

explains specific issues in society as opposed to larger scale phenomenon- grounded theory

Structural functionalism

the basic premise of this theory assumes that society is a set of independent yet interrelated parts (sometimes referred to as structures) the work together to accomplish goals and create equilibrium- social integration and solidarity is an important component

Functionalism

focuses on social functions or outcomes of social behaviors- can be consequences- stability, harmony(social cohesion), evolution/adaptation

dysfunction

a disturbance to or undesirable consequence of some aspect of the social system- negative consequence can be latent or manifest

manifest function

the obvious, intended functions of a social structure for the social system- intended consequence

Latent function

the less obvious, perhaps unintended functions of a social structure- unintended consequence

Conflict theory

a paradigm that sees social conflict as the basis of society and social changes and that emphasizes a materialist view of society, a critical view of the status quo, and a dynamic model of historical change= assumes that there is constant social inequality that stimulates conflict and change in society- emphasizes power struggles between groups, focuses on inherent exploitation and upheaval that occurs as groups compete for economic, political, and social resources

Critical theory

the contemporary form of conflict theory that critiques many different systems and ideologies of domination and oppression- advance the goals of capitalism at the expense of personal liberty and democracy

Critical race theory

the study of relationships among race, racism, and power, and social institutions.

Feminist theory

examine the relationship between gender and social institutions

Symbolic Interactionism

a paradigm that sees interaction and meaning as central to society and meaning as central to society and assumes that meanings are not inherent but are created through interaction- micro-level theory, focuses on the definitions and meanings we give to symbols and how we interact with other people

Science

the systematic method of empirical investigation- includes: theoretical development, data analysis, and peer review and reassessment of theories and search

factual inquiry

this includes questions that involve "facts" as opposed to philosophical or moral judgments

Research process

define a problem, develop/utilize a theoretical perspective, review the literature, select research design and collect data, analyze data, interpret data/observations, and share research conclusion

ethnographic research

participant observation(aka fieldwork)- usually used when studying small groups- or topics related to deviant behavior- yields rich respective results, very time consuming but inexpensive

Survey research

As questions from structured format- most common type of research method- computer/web based, in-person, telephone, mail, sampling

experiments

occur when variables are manipulated in a systematic way

Hypothesis

a statement about a relationship between two or more variables

independent variable

variable which influences change in the dependent variable- sometimes is referred to as a stimulus- variable stimulates change in the dependent variable

dependent variable

the variable that is affected of "depends" on the independent variable

ethics of sociology

demonstrate competence, no exploit respondent, respect for people's right, dignity, and diversity, act with integrity, demonstrate scientific responsibility with regard to their own work and the work of other scientists, social responsibility to communities we live and work in, awareness of human rights

Culture

the language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and material objects that are passed on from one generation to another, and constitute a people's way of life

Characteristics of culture

is learned; shared, cumulative; a universal feature of human social life

Material culture

technological goods, weapons, eating utensils, body adornment, hair styles, clothing, art, etc.

Symbolic culture

group's values, beliefs, and other assumptions about the world. This also includes gestures, body language, norms, and other forms of interactive behavior

symbols

something which people attach meaning to

language

system of symbols that are used for communication. Attach a particular meaning to certain symbols- allows culture to be transmitted to the next generation, cumulative, can build and expand upon experiences, provides a shared past and future

Sapir Wharf Hypothesis

people perceive the world through a cultural lens of language- language is the basis for culture

Values

culturally defined standards by which people assess what is good, desirable, which serve as broad guides of social living

Norms

socially constructed rules and expectation of behavior often reflect a societies prominent values

folkway

rule for casual interaction, everyday routine behavior

more

serious rules that preserve society- standard of moral conduct- ideal vs real- norms

Sanctions

positive or negative reactions to adherence or violation of cultural norms- can be formal or informal- Ex:cheating on an exam- Formal: failing the course and appearing before an academic committee Informal: reactions from family, friends and peers

Culture lag

material changes occur first, followed by changes in the non-lateral culutre

Cultural relativism

asses each culture by its own standard, objectively- not on the assumptions of one's own cultural bias

Culture shock

disorientation with an unfamiliar way of life

Ethnocentrism

judging a culture by one's own standards- Ex: bull-fighting, eating horse meat

Dominant culture

values, norms, and behaviors associated with powerful groups in society. Most of the time these values reflect middle and upper class ideals, but are shared by most members of a group

Subcultures

group that have their own distinct values, norms, customs, and material object within the context of a larger population

counter culture

groups that set norms, beliefs, and customs in opposition to those of larger society

Culture wars

classes within mainstream society over values and norms that should be upheld- cultural change

Cultrual diffusion

when culture's share non-material and material culture with one another- many times cultures will add unique aspects to represent their own identity

Technological change

culture is dramatically influenced by changes in technology

Cultural leveling

the process by which culture's become more similar to one another

Socialization

the process of learning roles, behaviors, norms, values, and expectations or a given society- humans require this

Nature vs. nature

a complex and reciprocal relationship exists between our "biological realities" and our social environment

Cooley

the look glass self- how do you know we exist?

Self

the ability to see ourselves from the outside, to project ourselves into the future, post and other situations in life- a recognition that you exist as a separate entity compared to other depends on other people's reaction of you

3 elements that contribute to the development of self

imagine how we appear to those around us, interpret other's reactions, development a self-concept/image

3 stages of role taking

imitation/preparatory stage, play, game stage

Imitation/preparatory stage

under 3- mimic others

Play

3-7; pretend they are other people

Game stage

organized play, team games- individuals must be able to take on multiple roles- generalized other recognition of society or groups with norms and values

I

self as subject creative part of self- the portion of the self that wants to express itself freely- spontaneously

me

self as object- attitudes internalized from our interactions with others

Thomas theorem

if people define a situation as real, they are real in their consequences

Dramaturgy

the idea that social life is a stage of sorts where we as actors try to manage impressions of others

impression management

sort of a con game

personal front

how we appear to others

front stage

what we show others

back stage

in some ways a more authentic view of self- relaxed

family

gender/race/class play an important role on socialization

neighborhood

changes by social class

religion

strong influence on morality of people

work place

important part of adult socialization

media

think about role of self-concept

day care/preschool education

not only educates children, but also instills certain societal values

Peer groups

enclave for resistance, rebellion, and identity development

Gender socialization

the ways in which society sets children onto different courses in life because of their gender

Gender role socialization

begins at birth and continues throughout the life course- mass media plays an important role

Resocialization

the process of learning new roles, expectations, values, and behvaiors

degradation ceremony

ritual that beings the re-socialization process. the function of this ceremony is to "break down" individuals so that they may begin the re-socialization process with a "clean slate"

total institution

place where people are isolated from others for a period of time and are re-socialized by those in "control" of the institution

social status

status is a position a person occupies- can occupy multiple statuses at one time

ascribed status

involuntary- cannot ask for it- cannot choose it- received involuntary either at birth or later in life

achieved status

a social position that a person assumed voluntary and that reflects a significant measure of personal ability and choice

master status

a social position with exceptional importance for identity

Roles

behaviors, obligations, privileges associated with, or that accompany a status

Role conflict

to refer to incompatibility among roles corresponding to two or more statuses

role strain

incompatibility almond roles within the same status

role exit

process from which people disengage from important social roles

Group

a collection of people who identify and interact with one another- sustained over periods of time

aggregate

a collection of people that share physical space- people riding the subway

primary groups

this type of group involves deep social connectedness and is often characterized by face to face interaction- spend time together for no other reason than to spend time with each other

secondary groups

less intimate relationships are often built and sustained through membership in achieved statuses- organized around shared goals and intersets

in group

a group we feel loyal to

out group

those which we feel antagonism toward

reference group

a group that an individual uses to help define values and norms- aspirant groups to help emulate and plan future behaviors

social networks

are the webs or relationships that you create and maintain based on membership in certain groups or other social ties

virtual social networks

communities forged and maintained through use of "information technologies" like the internet

anomie

formalness that occurs in societies when there is abrupt social change- can result in weaker bonds

social processes

forms of interaction through which people relate to one another; dynamic aspects of society

exchange

voluntary interaction from which all parties gain some benefit or reward