S100 Intro to Sociology

social construction of reality

perception of an individual, group, idea, or practice that is developed and maintained by society. Ex. same-sex marriage, child labor

social context

physical and cultural setting in which something occurs. Ex. college classroom

sociological imagination

how larger social forces create context and connect to ones life experiences

paradigms

set of assumptions, “school of thought,” perspectives that make up a way of understanding social reality 

theories

abstract approaches that explain how things are in the social world

social theories

guiding principles developed by scholars to explain the predict the social world 

microsociology

interactions between individuals in which those interactions construct the larger patterns, processes, and institutions of society

macrosociology

looking at large-scale social structures to determine how they affect the lives of groups and individuals

functionalism/functionalist theory

idea that various social institutions and processes in society exist to serve some important function to keep society running. Ex. the separation of powers of the US government 

structure

stable, ordered system made up of interrelated parts

Emile Durkheim

founded the functionalist theory, “the division of labor,” talked about solidarity and suicide 

solidarity

unity; was present in all types of societies but different societies crated different types of social bonds. Ex. being together in a classroom or group 

mechanical solidarity

shared traditions, beliefs and experiences. Ex. classroom having some shared experience of being taught the same thing

organic solidarity

peoples bonds were based on tasks they preformed, interdependence, and individual rights. Ex. assembly line manufacturing

anomie

sense of disconnection or aimlessness brought about by the changing conditions of modern life. Ex. picked last for dodge ball 

conflict theory

the idea that conflict between competing interests is the basic animating force of social change and society; challenges functionalist theory

Karl Marx

“manifesto of the communist party,” wrote about the class struggle between the owners of the means of productions (wealth, resources) and the workers

bourgeoisie

owners; class of modern capitalists

proletariat

workers who are reduced to selling their labor

alienation

no benefits from the fruits of their labor

symbolic interactionism

a branch of sociology that views the social world as the product of face-to-face interactions; people assign meanings to symbols, signs, and actions.

validity 

the study measures what it is intended to measure 

reliability

the study will consistently produce the same results

generalizability

the studys findings can inform us about a group larger

deductive approach

start with hypothesis first and test to see whether it is accurate

inductive approach 

when findings are emergent after entering the field 

strengths of quantitative research

collects large volumes of data efficiently

generalizable to larger population 

direct cause and effect relationship 

replication 

weakness of quantitative research

lack of depth

challenges in causality

response bias 

strengths of qualitative research

gathers rich data

flexible and adaptable

provides depth understanding and detail 

weakness of qualitative research

not generalizable

time consuming 

social desirability bias 

smaller sample size 

reflexivity

how the identity and activities of the researchers influence what is going on in the field setting

ethnography

method that seeks to document in real time peoples thoughts, feelings, and actions and situate those thoughts, feelings, and actions in the larger social context

culture

the shared patterns of socially transmitted norms, values, beliefs, symbols, and practices of a given group 

ethnocentrism

belief that one’s own culture or group is superior and the tendency to view all other cultures from the perspective of ones own 

cultural relativism

recognizing the differences across culture without passing judgement or assigning value

values

set of shared beliefs that a group of people considers to be desirable or worth it

norms

rules and guidelines for what is acceptable behavior

sanctions

means of enforcing norms

dominate culture

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

subculture 

a group within society that is differentiated by its distinctive values, norms, and life style  

counterculture

a group within society that openly reject or actively opposes society’s values and norms

cultural diffusion

the dissemination of material and non material culture from one group to another

socialization 

society, culture, or group teaches individuals to become functioning members and individuals learn and internalize the values and norms of the group 

self

individual identity of a person as perceived by that same person

broken into two parts I and Me 

George Herbert Mead

believed that the self is created through social interactions. Mind, self and society.

generalized other

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

impression mangament

verbal and nonverbal ways we present a particular impression or image to others

dramaturgy

ways we engage in strategic presentation of ourselves to others

front stage

social behaviors that meet social norms when others watch

back stage

behavior that is free from front stage rules or actions 

status

recognizable social position that an individual occupies

Erving Goffman 

furthered symbolic interactionist conceptions of the self with the dramaturgical theory 

Charles Cooley 

the looking glass self theory- believed that way we see ourselves reflected back from others in developing our sense of self

Weberian theory on social class

owning the means of production is not the only way to achieve upper class

someone can accumulate wealth consisting of income and property 

Wealth, power and prestige