SOCL Exam 1

Sociology

the study of human society

Sociological Imagination

the ability to see the connections between our personal experiences and larger historical forces

Social Institution

a complex, large-scale system of interrelated roles that, accepted by a group of people, regulate behavior and social expectations

Positivism

the approach to sociology that emphasizes the scientific method as an approach to studying the objectively observable behavior of individuals irrespective of the meanings those actions have for the subject themselves

Historical Materialism

Karl Marx’s theory of the factors that drive history, which is an account of man’s struggle to gain control of and later dominate his natural environment, attributing historical and social change to conflict between economic classes.

Verstehen

Max Weber’s concept that suggested sociologists should approach social behavior from the perspective of those engaging in that behavior

Interpretive Sociology

The study of social meaning

Anomie

A sense of formlessness resulting from drastic changes in living conditions or arrangements

Positivist Sociology

An approach to sociology that proposes the social world can be described and predicted by certain observable relationships

Double Consciousness

A process in which African Americans constantly maintain two separate behavioral scripts

Functionalism

The notion that the nest way to analyze society was to identify the roles that different groups, institutions, or other social phenomena play

Conflict Theory

The idea that conflict between compelling interests is the basic, animating force of social change and society change in general

Symbolic Interactionism

A micro-level theory in which shared meanings, orientations, and assumptions form the basic motivations behind people’s actions

Postmodernism

The notion that shared meanings of symbolic interactionism have eroded over time

Social Constructions

An entity that exists because people behave as if it exists

Midrange Theory

A theory that attempts to explain generalizable patterns of behavior that are neither all-encompassing of society as a whole nor focused on very particular groups or individuals

Feminist Theory

Shares many ideas with Marxist theory, in particular the emphasis on conflict and political reform. Emphasizes equality between men and women.

Micro-sociology

Seeks to understand local interaction contexts

Macro-sociology

Prioritizes social dynamics at a higher level of analysis- across the breadth of society

Scientific Method

A procedure involving the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses based on systematic observation, measurement, and/or experiments.

Theory

An abstracted, systematic model of how some aspect of the world works

Quantitative Methods

Seek to obtain information about the social world that is already in or can be converted to numeric form and then use statistical analysis to describe the social world that those data represent

Qualitative Methods

Attempt to collect information about the social world that cannot be readily converted to numbers form.

Casual Relationship

The idea that one factor influences another

Deductive Approach

Starts with a theory, forms a hypothesis, makes an empirical observation, and then analyzes date to confirm, reject, or modify the original theory

Inductive Approach

Starts with empirical observations then works to form a theory

Correlation

A relationship that exists when two variables tend to track each other positively or negatively

Causality

A change in one factor results in a corresponding change in another

Reverse Causality

A situation in which the researcher believes A results in a change in B, but B is actually causing A

Dependent Variable

The outcome the researcher is trying to explain

Independent Variable

A measured factor that the researcher believes has a casual impact on the dependent variable

Operationalization

How a concept is defined and measured in a given study

Validity

The extent to which an instrument measures what it is intended to measure

Reliability

The likelihood of obtaining consistent results using the same measures

Generalizability

The extent to which we can claim our findings inform us about a group beyond one we studied

Mixed-Methods Research

Research that combines qualitative and quantitative methods within a single study

Ethnography

A qualitative method of studying people or a social setting that uses observation, interaction,

Reflexivity

Analyzing and critically considering our own role in and effect on our research

Feminist Methodology

A set of systems or methods that treats women’s experiences as legitimate empirical and theoretical resources that promote social science for women

Culture

Sum of the social categories we recognize in addition to our believes, behaviors, and practices. Human-Nature

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one’s own culture or group is superior to others

Cultural Relativism

Taking into account the differences across cultures without paying judgment or assigning value

Cultural Scripts

Modes of behavior and understand that are not universal or natural

Nonmaterial Culture

Includes values, beliefs, social norms, and ideologies

Matierial Culture

Everything that is a part of our constructed physical environment

Cultural Lag

The time gap between the appearance of a new technology and the words and practices that give it meaning

Culture Shock

Doubt, confusion, or anxiety rising from exposure to an unfamiliar culture

Code Switch

Swapping out one set of meanings, values, and/or languages on the fly

Values

Moral Beliefs

Norms

The ways that values are put into play

Ideology

A belief system that informs how people understand and interact with the world around them

Hegemony

A condition by which a dominant group uses its power to elicit the voluntary consent of the masses

Subculture

Groups united by sets of concepts ,values, symbols, and shares meanings.

Counterculture

A large cultural group defined in opposition to the ideologies, values, and norms of the mainstream culture

Socialization

Our internalization of society’s values, beliefs, and norms

Reflection Theory

The idea that culture is a projection of social structures and relationships into the public sphere

Media

Any formats, platforms, or vehicles that carry, present, or communicate information

Consumerism

The steady acquisition of material possessions, often with the belief that happiness and fulfillment can be achieved

Socialization

The process by which individuals internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of a given society

Self

The individual identity of a person as perceived by that same person

The looking glass self

Our ability to assume the point of view of others and thereby imagine how they see us

I

One’s sense of agency, action, or power

Me

The self as a distinct object perceived by others

Other

Someone or something outside of oneself

Generalized other

An internalized sense of the total expectations of others in a variety of settings

Agents of Socialization

Social institutions that mold individuals into function members of society

Concerted Cultivation

Parenting style that consists of structuring of children’s leisure time with formal activities, and reasoning with children over decisions in an effort to foster their kids’ talents

Accomplishment of natural growth

Parenting style where parents give children the room and resources to develop but let them decide how they want to structure their free time

Peer Pressure

The need to conform in social groups

Peer Group

Provide normative regulation- instructions on how to live in the social world

Resocialization

The process by which one’s sense of social values, beliefs, and norms are reengineered, often deliberately, through an intense social process

Total Institution

A place where one is totally immersed and controlled in all the basics day to day life

Status

A recognizable social position that an individual occupies

Roles

The duties and behaviors expected of someone who holds a particular status

Role Strain

The incompatibility among roles corresponding to a single status

Role Conflict

The tension caused by competing demands between two or more roles pertains to different statuses

Status Set

All the statuses one holds simultaneously

Ascribed Status

A status into which one is born

Achieved Status

A status into which one enters

Master Status

One status within a set that stands our or overrides all others

Dramaturgical Theory

The view of social life as essentially a theatrical performance, in which we are all actors on metaphorical stages, with roles, scripts, costumes, and sets

Face

The esteem in which an individual is held by others

“No excuses” problem solving

Working class parents method of choosing to not intervene if their child is struggling in school.

“By any means” problem solving

Middle class parents method of going to great lengths to ensure their child is thriving in school

Logic of constraint

Working class parents belief that the school and its teacher are most qualified to make decisions regarding their child’s education

Logic of entitlement

Middle class parents belief that given their educational and occupational attainment, they are of equal or greater in status relative to children’s teachers, meaning they are more comfortable speaking up for their children

Dyad

A group of two

Triad

A group of three

Mediator

The member of a triad who attempts to resolve conflict between the two others actors in the group

Tertius gaudens

The member of a triad who benefits from the conflict between the two other members of the group- the third who rejoices

Divide et impera

The role of a member of a triad who intentionally drives a wedge between the other two actors in the group- divide and conquer

Small group

A group characterized by face to face interaction, a univocal perspective, lack of formal arrangements or roles, and a certain level of equality

Party

A group that is similar to a small group but multifocal

Large Group

A group characterized by the presence of a formal structure that mediates interaction and status differentiation

Primary Groups

Social groups, like family and friends, composed of enduring, intimate face to face relationships that strongly influence the attitudes and ideals of those involved

Secondary Groups

Groups marked by impersonal, instrumental relationships- impersonal

Social Network

A set of relations- essentially a set of dyads- held together by ties between individuals

Tie

The connection between two people in a relationship that varies in strength from one relationship to the next- a story that explains our relationship with another member of our network

Narrative

The sum of stories contained in a set of ties

Embeddedness

The degree to which indirect ties reinforce social relationships