introduction to sociology and key theorists

Sociology

Systemic study of human behavior in society.

Auguste Comte

Coined the term sociology in 1838.

C. Wright Mills

Introduced the concept of sociological imagination.

Sociological Imagination

Understanding personal troubles in social context.

Personal Troubles

Private matters affecting individuals and relationships.

Public Issues

Broader social forces impacting groups' experiences.

Social Facts

Durkheim's concept influencing human behavior.

Social Solidarity

Degree of connectedness among individuals in society.

Altruistic Suicide

Influenced by strong group norms and ties.

Egoistic Suicide

Result of weak social integration and detachment.

Anomic Suicide

Caused by disrupted norms during social change.

Fatalistic Suicide

Result of excessive regulation and oppression.

Social Integration

Support provided by social connections and networks.

Moral Regulation

Guidance from shared societal values and norms.

Scientific Revolution

Suggested possibility of a science of society.

Democratic Revolution

Encouraged societal improvement through collective action.

Industrial Revolution

Created social problems needing sociological solutions.

Values

Ideas about right/wrong and desirable/undesirable.

Theories

Conjectures about relationships between observed facts.

Research

Systematic observation to test theories' validity.

Positivism

Philosophy emphasizing observable, scientific facts.

Cultural Values

Influence theories and belief systems in society.

J. Philippe Rushton

Controversial theorist on race and intelligence.

Theoretical Traditions

Four influential frameworks in sociology's development.

Philippe Rushton

Proposed racial hierarchy in intelligence and stability.

Functionalism

Macro-level theory focusing on social stability and structures.

Conflict Theory

Macro-level theory emphasizing class struggle and inequality.

Feminism

Theoretical perspective addressing gender inequalities in society.

Symbolic Interactionism

Focus on individual interactions and meanings in society.

Micro-sociology

Examines individual or small group behaviors.

Macro-sociology

Studies society as a whole and its institutions.

Emile Durkheim

Founder of sociology, focused on social cohesion.

Karl Marx

Analyzed class conflict and economic determinism.

Max Weber

Explored social action and the role of culture.

Talcott Parsons

Functionalist theorist emphasizing social systems' stability.

Robert Merton

Distinguished between manifest and latent functions.

Manifest Functions

Intended and observable social consequences.

Latent Functions

Unintended and less obvious social consequences.

Social Structures

Patterns of relationships that maintain societal stability.

Class Consciousness

Awareness of one's social class and interests.

Bourgeoisie

Capitalist class owning means of production.

Proletariat

Working class selling labor for wages.

Worker Alienation

Disconnection from work and its products.

Opiate of the Masses

Marx's term for religion's role in false consciousness.

Platform Capitalism

Business model where platforms mediate between producers and consumers.

Gig Economy

Labor market characterized by short-term contracts.

Economic Determinism

Theory that economic factors shape societal structures.

Max Weber

Conflict theorist emphasizing capitalism's non-economic roots.

Protestant Ethic

Calvinist belief promoting hard work and investment.

Calvinism

16th/17th century belief in predestination and hard work.

Cultural Turn

1960-70s focus on culture's role in social dynamics.

Cultural Hegemony

Dominant values accepted as common sense by society.

Antonio Gramsci

Theorist of cultural hegemony and social control.

Foucault's Confinement

Social control through confinement for economic purposes.

Discipline

Control of workforce for economic efficiency.

Symbolic Interactionism

Micro-level focus on subjective meanings in social life.

Blumer's Principles

Three principles: meaning, language, and thinking.

Looking Glass Self

Cooley's concept of self-conception through social interaction.

George Herbert Mead

Founder of symbolic interactionism; self through interaction.

Interpretive Process

Meanings evolve through social interactions and interpretations.

Modern Feminism

Focus on gender inequality in societal structures.

Patriarchy

Societal system of male domination over women.

Harriet Martineau

First woman sociologist advocating for gender equality.

Feminist Theories

Critical theory examining dominance and subordination in gender.

Political Dimension

Personal life is influenced by political structures.

Gendered Spheres

Public and private life experiences differ by gender.

Social Construction of Gender

Gender inequalities are socially created, not biological.

Indigenous Theory

Holistic approach integrating spiritual, emotional, mental aspects.

Labour Participation Rate

Decline in Canadian males' workforce participation noted.

Economic Downturn Effects

Impact on poorly educated males' employment rates.