Sociology Exam 1: Key Concepts and Theories Review

What is conflict theory?

A sociological perspective that views social life as a competition for limited resources.

What is a control variable?

A variable that is kept constant to test the relative impact of an independent variable.

What does 'definition of the situation' refer to?

The idea that individuals' behavior is influenced by their interpretation of the context they are in.

Who is W.E.B. Du Bois?

An influential African American sociologist known for his work on race and social justice.

What were Durkheim's findings about suicide?

Durkheim found that social integration and regulation significantly influence suicide rates.

What is ethnography?

A qualitative research method focused on studying cultures and communities through direct observation.

What is the experimental group in research?

The group in an experiment that receives the treatment or intervention being tested.

What is the Hawthorne effect?

The alteration of behavior by study participants due to their awareness of being observed.

What is a hypothesis?

A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.

What are the levels of analysis in sociology?

Micro (individual), meso (group), and macro (societal) levels.

What is the difference between material and nonmaterial culture?

Material culture includes physical objects, while nonmaterial culture encompasses beliefs, values, and norms.

What are mean, median, and mode?

Mean is the average, median is the middle value, and mode is the most frequently occurring value in a data set.

What is negotiated order?

The process by which social norms and roles are established through interactions.

What is positivism?

A philosophical theory stating that knowledge is based on natural phenomena and their properties.

What does proletariat refer to?

The working class who do not own the means of production.

What is the Protestant Ethic?

A concept that links the rise of capitalism to the values of hard work and frugality associated with Protestantism.

What is reactivity in research?

The phenomenon where individuals alter their behavior when they know they are being studied.

What is sampling bias?

A bias that occurs when the sample is not representative of the population being studied.

What is a social fact?

A concept in sociology that refers to values, cultural norms, and social structures that transcend the individual.

What is social structure?

The organized pattern of social relationships and social institutions that together compose society.

What are the standards of scientific knowledge?

Criteria that ensure research findings are valid and reliable.

What is validity and reliability in research?

Validity refers to the accuracy of a measure, while reliability refers to the consistency of a measure over time.

What does Verstehen mean in sociology?

A German term meaning 'understanding,' used to describe the interpretive approach to social research.

What is counterculture?

A cultural group that actively rejects and opposes the dominant culture.

What is dominant culture?

The culture that is most widely accepted and practiced within a society.

What is cultural lag?

The period of time it takes for society to adjust to new technological or social changes.

What is cultural leveling?

The process by which cultures become more similar due to globalization and cultural exchange.

What are cultural universals?

Elements, patterns, traits, or institutions that are common to all human cultures.

What is ethnocentrism?

The practice of evaluating other cultures based on the standards of one's own culture.

What is high culture?

Cultural products and activities that are associated with the elite or upper class.

What are folkways and mores?

Folkways are informal norms guiding everyday behavior, while mores are norms that carry moral significance.

What are norms in sociology?

Rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its members.

What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

The theory that language shapes thought and perception.

What are symbols in culture?

Objects, gestures, sounds, or images that represent something else and carry particular meanings.

What are values and beliefs?

Values are deeply held principles that guide behavior, while beliefs are convictions or accepted truths.

What is anticipatory socialization?

The process of preparing for future roles or statuses.

What is differential socialization?

The varying socialization experiences based on factors like gender, race, and class.

What is formal socialization?

Socialization that occurs in structured settings, such as schools or workplaces.

What is informal socialization?

Socialization that occurs in casual, everyday interactions.

What is the generalized other?

An internalized sense of the expectations of society as a whole.

What are Mead's stages of socialization?

The stages include preparatory, play, and game stages, which describe how individuals learn to take the role of others.

What are rites of passage?

Ceremonies or events marking important transitions in a person's life.

Who are significant others?

Individuals who have a strong influence on a person's socialization.

What does 'taking the role of the other' mean?

The process of understanding others' perspectives and feelings.

What is tracking in education?

The practice of placing students in specific curriculum groups based on their abilities.