soci 110 exam 1 study

functionalism perspective def

in order for a society to survive, organizations, and cultural patterns are formed that undertake ‘functions’

functionalism perspective example

* group solidarity
* group identity
* division of labor

kind of authority dr. poulson has

rational legal (bureaucratic) authority

symbolic interactionist perspective def

reality is constructed by individuals with one another

symbolic interactionist perspective example

* stick figure with a dress means woman
* heart means love

conflict perspective def

society is in a state of perpetual conflict because of competition for limited resources

conflict perspective example

* pay inequalities between groups
* inequalities in the justice and educational systems of governments

karl marx’s argument as it relates to the importance of the economy on social life

the economy is the variable trait that determines the conditions of human society

alienated labor

humans are reduced to the level of an animal

* working only for the purpose of filing a physical gap
* producing under the compulsion of direct physical need

the role of laborers in the economy

* turn inputs into outputs
* important part of the production process

role of consumers in the economy

* purchase goods

role of capitalists in the economy

* motive to make a profit

product cycles def

* stage 1: innovation - creation
* stage 2: standardization - distribution
* stage 3: maturation - manufactured abroad

affect of product cycles on economic development in the global south

exporting products that are in an early stage of their product life cycle is associated with higher growth rates

how social scientists use/debate the importance of ‘social structure’ and ‘individual agency’ in determining people’s life course

* existing social relationships are generally beneficial for certain people, and disadvantage to other groups of people
* the state generally enforces rules that favor an elite class

power def

an entity or individual’s ability to control or direct others

max weber’s concept of charismatic authority def

when authority is granted because of the exceptional personal characteristics of an individual

charismatic authority example

hitler, obama, bush

max weber’s concept of traditional authority def

authority of an organization, person or regime that is largely tied to the tradition because it ‘has always been that way’

traditional authority example

patriarachy, monarchy, caste systems

max weber’s concept of rational legal (bureaucratic) authority def

the way that the administrative execution and enforcement of legal rules is socially organized

rational legal (bureaucratic) authority example

officials elected by voters, rules in the constitution, dr. poulson

globalization definitions

* action by social agents in one location that has significant consequences for people in other locations
* time-space compression
* accelerating interdependence due to economic integration
* decline of importance of national borders as o meaningful social/political designation
* decline in the power of the nation-state compared to other entities

emile durkeheim’s concept of mechanical solidarity def

social integration and social density is automatic

* ex: family, church

emile durkheim’s concept of organic solidarity

social integration and social density is organic

* there is a choice
* not bound to tradition

labor mobility in modern labor

new/modern laborers are remarkably ‘mobile’ with an increasingly ability to ‘move’ temporarily and permanently to worksites

labor segmentation in modern labor

the division by race, ethnicity, religion, age and gender into certain labor occupations

labor discipline in modern labor

* factory work is a relatively ‘new’ type of labor
* time and workplace tasks were not strictly related to one another

labor resistance in modern labor

* modern labor conditions make mass resistance easier
* all are experiencing a ‘loss of control’ concerning their work

conditions that enabled the transition from mercantilism to the industrial revolution to the rise of the corporation

* adoption of enormous trade restrictions
* atlantic trade led to cotton textile production

role of money in the culture of capitalism

enables the producer to organize his production in a most economical manner

role of the ‘core’ in the world system theory

industrialized countries in the global political economy

role of ‘semi-periphery’ in the world system

* countries that occupy an intermediate position between core and peripheral zones
* outlet for production when wages increase in the core

role of ‘periphery’ in the world system theory

* least developed economies
* primarily provide raw materials and cheap labor

market liberalism basic tenets

* individual self-interest is good
* people and nations possess a ‘comparative advantage’ in their ability to produce goods and services
* open exchange of goods and services makes people and nations wealthier
* competition insures that wages for jobs are fair
* competition insures services are cheap and abundant
* the invisible hand of the market eliminates excess, maintains wages, and protects consumers