Sociology Chapters 1 and 2 Test

Sociology

the study of human social behavior/ interactions from a group perspective

Social Sciences

A group of related disciplines that study society and human relationships.

Disciplines overlap, but each one has a distinct point of view.

• Sociology,

• Anthropology,

• Psychology,

• Economics,

• Political Science,

• History

Anthropology

the comparative study of past and present cultures.

In terms of subject matter, is the social science most similar to sociology.

Psychology

the study of behavior and mental processes.

Social psychology, the study of how the social environment affects an individual’s personality and behavior, uses approaches similar to those of sociology

Political Science

The study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services .

Sociology is interested in the impact of the distribution of goods and services on inequality

Political Science

the study of the organization and operation of governments.

Governments, particularly its impact on people’s lives, is also of interest to sociologists

History

The study of past events in human societies.

Sociology sometimes looks to past events for explanations of present-day social phenomena

Sociological Perspective

looking beyond commonly held beliefs to evaluate social issues;

it’s a broader look at the impact of society on individuals

Sociological Imagination

ability to see connections between yourself and the larger social world

C. Wright Mills

connect personal experiences to social forces

Factors that Led Development

Political changes, Social changes, Economic changes

Key Individuals

Auguste Comte,

Harriet Martineau,

Herbert Spencer,

Karl Marx,

Jane Addams,

Emile Durkheim,

Max Weber

Auguste Comte

Father of Sociology,

One of the first scholars to apply the methods of the physical sciences to the study of sociology.

Majors works: Plan of the Scientific Operations Necessary for Reorganization, Positive Philosophy, System of Positive Policy

Harriet Martineau

Conducted early Sociological studies in Britain and the United States

Advocate of the idea that scholars should try to improve society, not just study it

Known for also translating Comet’s work into English.

Major Works: Society in America, How to Observe Morals and Manners

(Reviewed Problems in the United States)

Herbert Spencer

Applied the principles of biology to society;

Popularized the evolutionary theory of social change and coined the phrase “survival of the fittest”.

Major Works: Social Statics, First Principles, The Study of Sociology, The Principles of Sociology.

Social Darwinism

Karl Marx

Emphasized the primary role that conflict plays in social change and advocated revolution to speed up the process of change;

His ideas led to the development of the conflict perspective in sociology

Major Works: The Poverty of Philosophy, The Communist Manifesto, Captial.

Importance of Economical

Jane Addams

thought that analyzing social problems was the first step to solving them.

She presented her findings in color-coded maps, which would show the difference in family income.

Emile Durkheim

Described society as a set of interdependent parts, with each part serving a specific function;

Believed that sociologists should focus on observable social phenomena;

Influential in the development of the functionalist perspective in sociology

Major works: The Division of Labor in Society, The Rules of Sociological Method, Suicide: A Study in Sociology, Elementary Forms of the Religious Life

Studied Suicide

Max Weber

Developed the concept of the IDEAL TYPE, a model against which social reality can be measured;

Believed that sociology should attempt to understand the meanings that individuals attach to their actions;

His works influenced the development of the interactionist perspective in sociology.

Major Works: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Economy and Society.

Verstehen

Verstehen

involves an attempt to understand the meanings individuals attach to their actions.

One puts themself in the place of others and tries to see situations through their eyes

Functionalist Perspective 1

view society as interdependent parts that work together in a fairly conflict-free manner.

Comte, Durkheim, Spencer 1

Dysfunctions

negatives that challenge the stability of the social system

Manifest Function

The intended and recognized consequences of an aspect of society.

Latent Function

The unintended and often hidden consequences of an aspect of society.

Conflict Perspective 1

views society in terms of competition, power, and change in society;

Marx;

feminist perspective 1

Interactionist (symbolic) 1

focuses on how individuals interact and communicate symbols and language

Weber 1

Globalization

development of economic, political, and social relationships worldwide

Sociological Research

Define the Problem,

Review Existing Literature,

Form a Hypothesis,

Choose a Research Design/Plan,

Collect the Data,

Analyze the Data,

Present Conclusions

Culture

shared products of a group; social heritage; artifacts, beliefs, behaviors, etc:

can include the material (stuff, books, cars) and non-material (not stuff, beliefs, ideas)

Components of Culture

Technology,

Symbols,

Language (Body Language (50% of Communication), slang),

Values (shared belifes about what is good or bad)

Norms (Laws, Folkway - manners, Mores - moral norms)

Cultural Universals

features common to all cultures,

• Art and Leisure - sports, dancing, games, music

• Basic Needs - clothing, cooking, housing

• Beliefs - body adornment, dream interpretation, folklore, funeral rites, religious rituals, weather control

• Communication and Education - education, greeting, language

• Family - courtship, family feasting, kin groups, marriage

• Government and Economy - Calender, division or labor, law, property rights, status, differentiation, trade

• Technology - medicine, toolmaking

Universal Taboo

Incest

Pop Culture

a collection of ideas, objects, and activities that are popular

Subculture

a group with a distinctive lifestyle within a society yet shares many of the dominant characteristics.

• Ex. Amish

Counterculture

a group with behavior and values contrary to the dominant culture.

• Ex. Hippies/Cults

Ethnocentrism

viewing one’s own culture as superior

• Ex. White Mans Burden,

• Colonist and Native Americans

Cultural Relativism

analyzing cultures from a different perspective than one own

Proxemics

study of space and social relationships in various cultures

Changes in Culture can Involve

Cultural Diffusion,

Cultural Lag,

Cultural Leveling

Cultural Diffusion

spreading of culture

Cultural Lag

fails to keep pace with changes

Cultural Leveling

cultures become more alike

• Ex, McDonaldization

Perspectives Applied to Culture

Functionalist Perspective,

Conflict Perspective,

Interactionist Perspective

Functionalist Perspective

culture reflects and enforces society’s central values.

Encourages harmony and stability by integrating individuals.

Subculture diffuses discontent of subgroups in society.

Ethnocentrism encourages group solidarity

Conflict Perspective

Culture reflects and enforces the values of those who hold power.

Encourages and maintains social inequity.

Subcultures and Countercultures challenge those in power.

Ethnocentrism encourages discrimination against the powerless

Interactionist Perspective

Culture is maintained and modified through everyday social interaction.

Interaction among Subculture groups helps to transmit customs and traditions and also introduces new cultural meaning systems

Traditional American values identified by Robin M. Williams

Personal Achievement (doing well in school/ gaining wealth)

Progress and Material Comfort (ongoing progress, progress improves people's lives),

Work (Discipline, Dedication, and Hardwork),

Individualism (Hard work, initiative, and individual effort are keys to personal achievement)

Efficiency and Practicality (every problem can be solved through efficiency and practicality)

Morality and Humanitarianism (judgments based on the sense of right and wrong, morality involves helping the less fortunate)

Equality and Democracy (everyone should have an equal chance at success and the right to participate in the government),

Freedom (Freedom of religion, speech, and press are central to American values)

The increased importance of

SELF FULFILLMENT has led to increased narcissism in society

Many times there is a difference between

REAL culture and IDEAL culture

Cultural Trait

Culture Traits

A particular cultural characteristic such as language, beliefs, food habits, or traditions.

Specific features that are common to all cultures, such as language, customs, and practices.

McDonaldization of education

The application of principles associated with fast-food restaurants to other social institutions, such as schools.

cultural diversity

The existence of a variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a society.

Conflict perspective

A sociological approach that views society as being in a constant struggle for resources and power.

Norms

Rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its members.

Values

The ideas, beliefs, and attitudes about what is important that help guide the way people live.

Folkways

Informal norms or everyday customs that may be violated without serious consequences within a particular culture.

Mores

Strongly held norms with moral and ethical connotations that may not be violated without serious consequences within a particular culture.

Spencer and survival of fittest

Herbert Spencer's application of Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection to societies, suggesting that only the fittest societies would survive over time.

Durkheim and suicide study

Émile Durkheim's groundbreaking study that explored the relationship between social integration and suicide rates.

Karl Marx, proletariat, bourgeoisie

Karl Marx's theory of class struggle between the working class (proletariat) and the capitalist class (bourgeoisie).

Jane Adams and Hull House

Jane Addams' pioneering work in social reform through the establishment of Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago.

C Wright Mills and Sociological Imagination

C. Wright Mills' concept that encourages individuals to understand their lives in relation to broader social forces.

WEB DuBois and NAACP

W.E.B. Du Bois' co-founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to fight for civil rights.

slang

Informal language that is often specific to certain groups and may not be understood by others.