Exam 1

What is Sociology?

The scientific study of social behavior and human groups.

Sociological Imagination

The ability to view one's society from an outsider's perspective, understanding the relationship between the individual and wider society.

Social Location

Refers to the various 'corners' in life that people occupy, shaped by demographics such as jobs, social class, race, occupation, sex, and religion.

Cultural Universal

Common practices and beliefs shared across all societies.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one’s own culture is the norm, viewing others as underdeveloped or inferior.

Cultural Relativism

Understanding others' behaviors and beliefs from the context of their own culture.

Diffusion

The process through which cultural items spread from one society to another.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

The idea that language influences thought; our worldview is affected by the language we speak.

Norms

Standards of behavior that are based on cultural values.

Impression Management

The efforts individuals make to control the impressions others receive of them.

Who coined the term 'sociology'?

Auguste Comte.

What is the role of socialization?

A lifelong process through which individuals learn appropriate attitudes, values, and behaviors.

What are the components of Cooley's Looking-Glass Self?

Other's reactions, person's behavior, self-concept, interpretations of reactions.

What does the term 'resocialization' refer to?

Discarding old behaviors for new ones during life transitions.

What is the difference between correlation and causation?

Correlation does not imply causation; just because two variables are related does not mean one causes the other.

What does 'value neutrality' mean in research?

Researchers must strive to remain free from biases in analysis.

What are the four levels of personal space?

Intimate, personal, social, public.

What is the purpose of operational definition in research?

To clarify abstract concepts into measurable terms.

What are manifest and latent functions?

Manifest functions are intended and recognized outcomes, while latent functions are unintended and unrecognized outcomes.

Who emphasized examining social forces, particularly regarding suicide?

Émile Durkheim.

What are 'dysfunctions' in a sociological context?

Negative consequences that disrupt social stability.

What is anticipatory socialization?

Preparing for future roles and relationships.

Define culture in sociology.

Socially transmitted customs, knowledge, material objects, and behaviors.

What is a 'counterculture'?

A subculture that opposes certain aspects of the larger culture.

What does the 'Game Stage' in Mead's theory refer to?

The stage where a child understands multiple roles and considers societal attitudes.

What is meant by 'cultural shock'?

A state of disorientation experienced when immersed in an unfamiliar culture.

Who co-founded the NAACP and published extensively on race?

W.E.B. Du Bois.

What are the major research designs in sociology?

Surveys, observation, experiments, and existing sources.

Name one impact of social media on self-presentation.

Social media platforms alter the way individuals present themselves and can affect their identities.

What is the main focus of the Conflict Perspective?

To view society as composed of competing groups with inherent conflict.

What is the importance of control variables in experiments?

To accurately measure the effect of the independent variable.

What does validity in research refer to?

Ensures the research measures what it intends to study.

Who introduced the concept of verstehen?

Max Weber.

What does 'functionalism' emphasize in sociology?

The structure of society in maintaining stability.

What do informal norms refer to?

Unwritten, understood standards of behavior.