LCC SOCL120 Intro to Sociology Final Exam

Q: What is sociology?

The study of society, human behavior, and social interactions.

What is the sociological perspective?

Viewing human behavior in the context of the larger society and understanding how social forces influence individuals

What is social location?

A person’s place in society based on race, gender, class, age, etc.,

 How does social location impact one’s life

influencing access to resources, power, and societal structures, impacting experiences like education, employment, and overall well-being

What is blaming the system

attributes social problems to systemic issues like poverty, inequality, or lack of opportunity, suggesting that individual solutions won't address the issue effectively.

 What is blaming the victim

focuses on individual failings, behaviors, or choices as the cause of social problems, often ignoring the broader social context

What are the parts of social structure?

Institutions, social groups, statuses, and roles.

Q:Define Social Groups

Collections of people who interact and share common characteristics or interests.

Q: Define Statuses

Positions individuals hold within a social group or society, such as student, parent, or employee

Q:Define Social institutions

Organized patterns of social interaction that address fundamental societal needs, like family, education, or religion

Q:Outline Conflict theory

Views society as a struggle for scarce resources, with some groups (e.g., the wealthy, powerful) benefiting at the expense of others.

Q: Outline symbolic interactionalism

Examines how individuals create meaning through social interactions and the use of symbols, language, and shared understandings.

Q: Outline functionalism

Views society as a complex system where each part (e.g., family, education, economy) contributes to the overall stability and functioning of society.

Major theoretical perspectives in sociology?

Structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.

Steps of the sociological research process?

Define the problem, review literature, formulate hypothesis, choose research method, collect data, analyze results, and share findings.

What is a research population

 The population is the complete set of individuals or objects that researchers are interested in studying. For example, if a study is investigating the voting preferences of university students, the population would be all students enrolled at that university.

What is a research sample

is a subset of the population that is selected for study. Researchers often use samples because it's impractical or impossible to study every individual in a population, especially when the population is large.

Why is random sampling preferred

It reduces bias, better for  more accurate statistics, can be generalized for the larger population, gives everyone a chance to be chosen for participation

correlation

relationship between variables

causation

variable directly affects another

 Research methods in sociology?

Surveys, observation, secondary data analysis, and experiments.

How does the survey method of research work?

collect data from a sample population through structured questionnaires or interviews. They can be quantitative (numerical) or qualitative (descriptive

 How does observation method work?

Researchers observe individuals or groups in their natural setting, often using participant observation (where the researcher becomes part of the group) or non-participant observation (where the researcher observes from a distance)

How does secondary data analysis work?

Researchers analyze data that has already been collected by others (e.g., government records, historical documents, existing surveys).

How do experiments work for research methods?

Researchers manipulate variables in a controlled setting to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

What is culture?

Shared beliefs, values, norms, and material goods of a group.

What are beliefs?

deeply held convictions about the nature of the world, ex: religion, belief in the importance of education for personal and societal advancement, belief in the positive effects of technology on society.

What are values

shared ideas about what is desirable and worth striving for, ex: Respect for elders, honesty and integrity, equality and justice.

What are norms

 including folkways, laws, and mores, are rules that govern behavior and guide interactions within a society

What are folkways

Informal norms that govern everyday customs and practices. Example: Saying "please" and "thank you," waiting in line, or raising your hand before speaking in a class.

What are laws

Formal norms that are codified into written rules and enforced by the government, Example: Speed limits, traffic laws, or laws against murder and theft.

What are mores

 Stronger norms that are based on moral principles and are considered essential for the well-being of a society, Example: Treating all people with respect, regardless of their background, or avoiding actions that could harm others.

 Functionalist view on culture

emphasizes how cultural elements contribute to the stability and functioning of society. It argues that shared norms, values, and practices foster social cohesion and meet the needs of individuals and communities.

 conflict theory view on culture

A perspective that emphasizes how social inequality and power dynamics shape cultural norms and institutions, highlighting the ways in which cultural beliefs can reinforce or challenge existing power structures.

symbolic interactionism view on culture

A sociological perspective that focuses on the subjective meanings individuals attach to social interactions and symbols. It emphasizes how these meanings shape human behavior and social reality.

Sources of cultural change?

innovation, social movements, technological advancements, and contact with other cultures. These factors can alter cultural norms, values, and practices.

 define subculture

:groups within a larger culture that share distinct values, beliefs, and behaviors, like those of the hip-hop community or gamer culture

Define counterculture

A culture that actively opposes and rejects the dominant cultural norms and values, often seeking to create alternative lifestyles and beliefs.

 Define dominant culture

represents the mainstream values, norms, and behaviors of a society, often reflecting the power structures and social norms of the majority group.

Q: Types of cultural groups?

Subcultures, countercultures, dominant culture.

 Outcomes of cultural interaction?

Culture shock, ethnocentrism, cultural relativism.

culture shock

the disorientation experienced when encountering a different culture

ethnocentrism

The belief that one's own culture is superior to others, often leading to the judgment of other cultures based on the standards of one's own.

cultural relativism

The practice of evaluating a culture based on its own unique values and standards, promoting understanding and tolerance.

cultural lag

The period of time it takes for a society's cultural beliefs and practices to adjust to new technological advancements or social changes.

socialization

The lifelong process through which individuals learn and internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of their culture.

 What do studies on feral/isolated children show?

They demonstrate the importance of socialization in developing language, identity, and cultural understanding.

What is the looking-glass self (Cooley)?

A theory that suggests individuals form their self-concepts and self-identities based on how others perceive them.

 What is Mead’s theory of role-taking?

A social theory that emphasizes the process of understanding others' perspectives through taking on their roles, which is essential for developing empathy and social interaction.

What is Goffman’s dramaturgical theory?

A sociological perspective that views social interactions as theatrical performances, where individuals present themselves in ways that will be accepted by others.

Major agents of socialization?

family, school, peers, and media, which all play significant roles in shaping individuals' beliefs, behaviors, and social norms.

What is resocialization?

The process of unlearning and relearning societal norms and behaviors, often occurring in contexts like rehabilitation or total institutions.

Family as an agent of socialization:

the primary unit of socialization, influencing a child's early beliefs, values, and behaviors through direct interaction and guidance.

Peers as an agent of socialization

secondary, influence social skills, identities, and behaviors, particularly during adolescence, by providing a sense of belonging and reinforcing societal norms.

Schools as an agent of socialization

secondary,serve as formal institutions that educate children, instilling knowledge, social skills, and cultural norms while providing a structured environment for social interaction.

What is social structure?

refers to the organized pattern of social relationships and institutions that together form the basis of society. It includes the roles, hierarchies, and norms that shape interactions within a community.

 Elements of social structure?

roles, norms, values, and institutions that influence social behavior and organization within society.

Ascribed status

is a social status a person is born into, such as race, gender, or family background, which often influences their opportunities and roles within society.

achieved status

is a social status that a person attains as a result of personal choices, actions, and achievements, such as education or career.

role conflict and an example

occurs when a person faces competing demands from different roles they occupy, such as a parent struggling to meet work deadlines while also caring for a sick child.

role strain and an exampel

occurs when an individual experiences difficulty in fulfilling the expectations of a single role, such as a student feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to achieve high grades while balancing extracurricular activities.

aggregate

A collection of individuals who share common characteristics but do not interact with one another in a structured way, such as a group of people waiting at a bus stop.

categories

 collections of individuals who share a common characteristic or feature, such as age, gender, race, or ethnicity.

social groups

collections of two or more individuals who interact and share a sense of belonging, purpose, or common identity

primary group

Characterized by close, intimate relationships, strong emotional ties, and frequent interaction. Examples include family, close friends, and small peer groups. 

Secondary group

Groups characterized by more impersonal relationships, larger size, and more goal-oriented interactions, such as workplaces or clubs, where emotional ties are less significant.

reference groups

groups that individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their own behavior.

in groups

social groups with which individuals identify and feel a sense of belonging, often leading to favoritism towards members and discrimination against outsiders.

outgroup

a social group with which an individual does not identify, often contrasted with an ingroup.

What did the Asch and Milgram experiments show?

People conform to group pressure (Asch) and obey authority even against morals (Milgram).

What is diffusion of responsibility?

The phenomenon where individuals feel less compelled to take action when in a group than when alone, often leading to a decrease in personal accountability.

groupthink

a psychological phenomenon where the desire for harmony in a decision-making group leads to irrational or dysfunctional outcomes. Members suppress dissenting viewpoints, leading to poor decisions.

social control

The mechanisms, strategies, and institutions that regulate individual behavior within society, promoting conformity and compliance to norms.

formal social control

Refers to the official, established systems and structures used by institutions, such as law enforcement and legal systems, to enforce norms and regulate behavior in society.

informal social control

The unofficial, unwritten rules and norms that individuals or groups use to influence and regulate behavior in everyday social interactions, such as social cues and peer pressure.

deviance

Behavior that violates societal norms and expectations.

relativity of deviance

The concept that deviance is not absolute but varies across different cultures and social contexts, meaning actions considered deviant in one setting may be acceptable in another.

How did Durkheim see deviance as functional?

viewed deviance as functional because it can promote social cohesion by clarifying norms, facilitating social change, and reinforcing societal values.

Functionalist view on deviance

strain theory + emphasizes that deviance serves important functions in society, such as reinforcing social norms, promoting social unity, and encouraging social change.

 conflict theory on deviance

marxism + Conflict theory on deviance posits that deviance arises from social, political, and economic inequalities. It suggests that those in power define what is considered deviant to maintain their dominance and control over marginalized groups.

symbolic interactionist view on deviance

labeling theory + The symbolic interactionist view on deviance focuses on the meanings and definitions individuals attach to deviant behavior. It emphasizes the role of social interactions and labeling processes in shaping one's identity as deviant.

 Conventional Crime

A type of crime that violates societal norms and laws, often involving direct harm to individuals or property, such as theft, assault, or robbery.

White-Collar Crime

Non-violent crime committed for financial gain within a business or professional setting.

Corporate Crime

This involves crimes committed by corporations or on their behalf, such as environmental violations or unsafe product manufacturing.

victimless crime

A type of crime that does not directly harm or violate the rights of any individual, often involving consensual activities like drug use or gambling.

social stratification

The hierarchical arrangement of individuals within a society, based on factors such as wealth, power, and social status.

estate sytem of stratification

A form of social stratification where individuals are born into a social class that is defined by their family lineage and heritage, limiting mobility between strata.

caste system

A rigid system of social stratification characterized by hereditary social units, where individuals are assigned to specific social classes at birth and have limited ability to change their social status. (old India)

class system

A system of social stratification based on socioeconomic status, where individuals can move between classes based on factors like education and income.

slavery system of stratification

A system of social stratification where individuals are considered property and forced to work without compensation, resulting in complete lack of rights and mobility.

functionalist theory on stratification

A sociological perspective that views social stratification as a necessary and beneficial aspect of society, helping to ensure that important roles are filled and social order is maintained.

conflict theory on stratification

A sociological perspective that argues social stratification results from social conflict and inequality, emphasizing the struggles between different social classes and the power dynamics that shape society.

Max weber’s 3 dimensinos of social class

A framework by Max Weber that outlines social class as determined by three interrelated aspects: economic status, social prestige, and power.

uppler class

The upper class in sociology refers to the wealthiest individuals or families in a society, characterized by significant economic resources, high social status, and considerable influence over social and political institutions.

middle class

largest social class , encompassing a range of occupations and income levels

working class

 Includes those who work in blue-collar jobs, service jobs, and less skilled clerical positions, often lacking college degrees.

Types of social mobility?

Refers to the ability of individuals (intragenerational) or families (intergenerational) to move between different social strata in a society, including upward and downward mobility.

What is poverty and how is it measured?

A lack of resources for basic living; measured by federal poverty line (often criticized for being outdated).

global stratification

refers to the hierarchical arrangement of countries based on various socio-economic factors. Countries are stratified into high, middle, and low-income categories, often geographically concentrated in regions such as North America and Western Europe for high-income, and Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia for low-income.

demography

The study of populations, including the structure, distribution, and trends in size and composition, as well as changes over time due to births, deaths, and migration.