Sociology Exam 1

Social interaction forms what

a basis for society

We are compelled to ____ social behavior

explain

Social organization

Society is organized into distinct units that tell us what the rules are

Our ____ reveal those whom we value

interactions

Interaction patterns reveal ____ in our relationships with each other

Inequality

Social change

part of our survival and allows for growth in society

Social interaction — question

Who is interacting with whom? What happens because they interact?

Explaining behavior — question

What behaviors might seem “normal,” but actually need explaining?

Social organization — question

What institutions or social units are involved? What rules do they establish?

Value — question

How do people's interactions show who or what they value?

Inequality — question

Who has more power, status, resources, or influence?

Social change — question

How has this situation changed? How might it change in the future?

Evidence — question

What would you need to know to support your conclusions?

Our Three Tree Trunks

Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism.]

Why sociological theory?

provide frameworks for understanding society, help explain social behavior and institutions, and focus on different aspects of social life

Macro sociology includes which tree trunk(s)

Functionalism and Conflict Theory

Micro sociology includes which tree trunk(s)

Symbolic Interactionism

Functionalism

Society is a system of interconnected parts that work together to maintain stability and order

Functionalism core question

How does this institution contribute to social stability?

Conflict Theory

Society is characterized by inequality, competition, and struggles over power and resources

Conflict Theory core question

Who benefits from the current social arrangement?

Conflict Theory focuses on

Inequality and power.

Symbolic Interactionism

Society is created through everyday interactions and shared meanings.

Symbolic Interactionism core question

How do people create and interpret meaning?

Culture

the entire way of life of a group of people

Subculture

A group within society that is differentiated by its distinctive values, norms, and lifestyle.

Counterculture

A group within society that openly rejects or actively opposes society’s values and norms.

Culture is the similar to _____ running quietly in the background of your life.

operating system

What does culture tell us?

what’s normal, what’s expected, how to behave, and what things mean

When do you notice culture?

only when it’s different

Ideal vs. Real Culture

way of examining the difference between what a society says or expects and what actually happens

two parts of reality

individual and social

4 lenses

Cultural, Historical, Chronological, and Situational

Cultural lens

What does society teach us about it?

Historical lens

How have views changed over time?

Chronological lens

How do age and generation matter?

Situational lens

How does context change its meaning?

Norms

Norms are socially shared expectations about appropriate behavior.

Four types of norms

Folkways, Mores, Laws, and Taboos.

Folkways

everyday expectations; violations are usually relatively minor.

Mores

norms carrying stronger moral significance.

Laws

norms formally established and enforced by government.

Taboos

deeply prohibited behaviors that provoke especially strong reactions.

Sociology

Study of society

Social sciences

Disciplines that study the social world

Sociological perspective

A way of looking at the world through a sociological lens

Culture shock

A sense of disorientation when entering a radically new environment

Sociological imagination

A quality of the mind that allows us to understand the relationship between individual circumstances and larger social forces

Microsociology

Studies face-to-face and small group interactions in order to understand how they affect the larger patterns in society

Macrosociology

Studies large-scale social structures in order to determine how they affect the lives of groups and individuals

Theories

Abstract propositions that explain the social world and make predictions about the future

Paradigms

A set of assumptions, theories, and perspectives that make an understanding of a social reality

Social Darwinism

Application of the theory of evolution, “survival of the fittest,” to society

Structural functionalism

A paradigm based on the assumption that society is a unified whole that functions because of the contributions of its separate structures

Solidarity

Unity; the extent to which individuals feel connected to other members of their group

Mechanical solidarity

Solidarity based on shared beliefs, traditions, and experiences

Organic solidarity

Solidarity based on interdependence and individual rights

Empirical

Based on scientific observation

Structure

A social institution that is relatively stable over time and meets the needs of society by performing functions necessary to maintain social order and stability

Manifest functions

Obvious, intended functions of social structures

Latent functions

Less obvious, unintended functions of social structures

Social inequality

Unequal distribution of resources in society

Means of production

Anything that creates more wealth

Proletariat

Worker

Bourgeoisie

Owner

Alienation

A sense of dissatisfaction the worker experiences resulting from creating goods they do not benefit from

False consciousness

Denial of the truth on the part of the oppressed when they fail to recognize that the interests of the ruling class are embedded in the dominant ideology

Class consciousness

Recognition of social inequality by the oppressed, leading to revolutionary action

Critical theory

A contemporary form of conflict theory that criticizes many different systems and ideologies of domination and oppression

Critical race theory

The study of the relationship among race, racism, and power

Feminist theory

A theoretical approach that looks at gender inequities in society and the way that gender structures the social world

Queer theory

A social theory about gender and sexual identity that emphasizes the importance of differences and rejects ideas of innate identities or restrictive categories

Praxis

Application of a theory to practical action in an effort to improve aspects of society

Rationalization

Application of economic logic to all spheres of human activity

Bureaucracy

A secondary group designed to perform tasks efficiently

Chicago School of Sociology

A type of sociology that originated at the University of Chicago and centered on urban settings and field research methods

Pragmatism

A perspective that assumes organisms make practical adaptations to their environment, including cognition, interpretation, and interaction

Conversation analysis

A sociological approach that looks at how we create meaning in naturally occurring conversation

Postmodernism

A paradigm that suggests that social reality is diverse, pluralistic, and constantly in flux

Modernism

A paradigm that places trust in the power of science and technology to create progress, solve problems, and improve life

Midrange theory

Integrates empiricism and grand theory

Ethnocentrism

Thinking of our own culture as the “normal” one

Cultural relativism

The principle of understanding other cultures on their own terms, rather than judging or evaluating them according to one’s own culture

Material culture

Physical objects to which we give social meaning

Nonmaterial culture

Reflects the ideas and beliefs of people

Communication

Signs, symbols, gestures, and language used to convey meaning

Values

A set of shared beliefs that a group of people considers to be worthwhile or desirable in life

Moral holiday

A specified time period during which some norm violations are allowed

Sanctions

Means of reinforcing norms

Multiculturalism

A policy that honors the diverse racial, ethnic, national, and linguistic backgrounds of various individuals and groups

Dominant culture

The values, norms, and practices of the group within society that is the most powerful

Culture wars

Clashes in mainstream society over the values and norms that should be held

Ideal culture

The norms and values that should be held

Real culture

The norms and values that are held

Cultural diffusion

The dissemination of material and nonmaterial culture from one group to another

Cultural imperialism

The imposition of one culture’s beliefs and practices onto another

Cultural leveling

The process by which cultures that were once distinct become increasingly similar to each other

Norms

Relatively minor norms governing ordinary social interaction.

Norms: Examples

Saying “thank you”; appropriate clothing for different settings; personal space; table manners; how we greet one another.

Violations of Norms

awkwardness, embarrassment, or a dirty look.