Lecture 1 week 1 sept 5 and 12 sociology notes Intro to Sociology

Environmental Problems

Issues that threaten the health of the environment, including climate change, pollution, and loss of biodiversity.

Great Barrier Reef

The world's largest coral reef system, facing threats from bleaching and climate change.

Pesticides

Chemicals used to kill pests, linked to declining bee populations and reduced pollination.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Levels

The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which has been rising significantly due to human activities.

Global Temperatures

Average temperatures around the world, which have been increasing due to climate change.

Natural Disasters

Severe and extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and wildfires, that become more frequent with climate change.

Moral Foundation Theory

A psychological theory that suggests humans have innate moral intuitions that shape their values and behaviors.

Social Contract

An implicit agreement among individuals to cooperate for social benefits, often discussed in the context of society and politics.

Critical Race Theory

An academic framework that examines the intersection of race, law, and power in society.

Intersectionality

A framework for understanding how various forms of inequality and discrimination overlap and intersect.

Gender Wage Gap

The average difference in earnings between men and women, often highlighting societal and structural inequalities.

Cultural Racism

Forms of racism that are embedded in social norms, practices, and ideologies.

Systemic Discrimination

Discrimination that is inherent in the structures of society, often perpetuated by policies and practices.

Potential for Catastrophic Results

The significant and often irreversible damage to the environment that could lead to widespread ecological disasters.

Economic Resistance to Environmental Protection

The tendency of economic systems to prioritize profit over practices that would protect the environment, often leading to exploitation and degradation.

Coral Bleaching

A phenomenon where corals lose their color and ability to survive due to stress from environmental factors such as rising temperatures.

Great Barrier Reef Status

A significant portion of the Great Barrier Reef is currently facing severe degradation, with reports indicating up to 74% of it is dying.

Impact of Pesticides on Bees

The use of pesticides has been linked to declining bee populations, resulting in reduced pollination and negative effects on food crops.

Rising CO2 Levels

The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which has been significantly accelerated by human activities.

Global Temperature Increase

The overall rise in Earth's average temperature due to climate change, which is linked to human activity and has wide-ranging effects.

Natural Disasters Frequency

The increased occurrence of natural disasters, such as wildfires and hurricanes, exacerbated by climate change and environmental neglect.

Scientific Consensus on Climate Change

The general agreement among scientists that climate change is a significant issue resulting from human activity, with 97.1% of climate experts endorsing this view.

Path Dependency

The concept that historical decisions and processes heavily influence current and future policies and practices, particularly in environmental contexts.

Immediacy Bias

The tendency of individuals and societies to prioritize immediate concerns and results over long-term environmental consequences.

Cognitive Dissonance

A psychological state occurring when contradictory beliefs coexist, often leading individuals to alter their attitudes or beliefs to reduce discomfort.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation where shared resources are overexploited due to individual self-interest, leading to their depletion.

Social Contract and Environmental Responsibility

The idea that individuals and nations must work collaboratively to protect shared resources for the common good.

Regulation as a Response to Environmental Damage

Rules or laws that are implemented to amend harmful practices affecting the environment, such as pollution controls.

Decline Bias

The perspective that changes in society are viewed as negative compared to the past.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to process information that confirms one’s existing beliefs.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The biased tendency to blame others' actions on their character rather than external factors.

Structural Functionalism

A sociological approach that views society as a complex system with various parts working together.

Macro Theory

A theory that focuses on the large-scale structures and processes in society.

Meritocracy

A social system where success is based on individual talents and efforts.

Manifest Functions

The intended and recognized consequences of social structures or actions.

Bourgeoisie and Proletariat

Terms used in Marxist theory to define the owners of production and the working class, respectively.

Conflict Theory

A framework that focuses on the struggles between different social groups over resources and power.

Economic, Social, & Cultural Capital

Different forms of capital that influence one's social standing and opportunities.

Latent Effects

Unintended consequences that arise as a result of certain actions or policies.

Instrumental Rationality

A focus on efficient means to achieve a specific end.

Value Rationality

Making decisions based on ethical considerations rather than outcomes.

Cultural Lag

The time it takes for culture to adjust to innovations.

Sex Positivity Movement

Advocating for a positive approach to sexuality and gender.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another.

Fake News Trends

Characteristics of misinformation, including skepticism among younger generations and high media consumption.

Hegemony

The dominance of one group over others, shaping cultural and ideological norms.

Matrix of Oppression

The interconnected social disadvantages experienced by individuals based on various identity factors.

Social Desirability Bias

The tendency of respondents to answer questions in a manner that will be viewed favorably by others.

Tyranny of the Majority

The scenario where majority preferences override the rights and interests of minorities.

What is Sociology?

The study of society, highlighting organized human interactions and complex social relationships.

Sociological Explanations

Focuses on social factors influencing behaviors, such as teen depression linked to social media rather than just biological influences.

Sociological Imagination

The ability to connect personal challenges to larger societal issues by identifying patterns in individual experiences.

See the General in the Particular

Recognizing how individual experiences, like student anxiety, reflect broader social issues, such as economic pressures.

See the Strange in the Familiar

Identifying how everyday behaviors, such as shaking hands, can be interpreted differently across cultures.

Objective Conclusions

Conclusions grounded in empirical data rather than personal opinions or feelings.

Social Location Bias

Biases shaped by factors such as country, race, and class.

Anecdotal Evidence

Personal narratives used as evidence, emphasizing individual experiences rather than empirical data.

Self-Serving Bias

The tendency to credit personal successes to internal factors while attributing failures to external influences.

Optimism Bias

The tendency to perceive situations positively when in a good mood.

Pessimism Bias

The tendency to perceive situations negatively while feeling down.

Cultural Bias

The belief that one's own culture is normal while viewing others as abnormal.

Human Capital Theory

The idea that education enhances an individual's productivity and economic value.

Four Tenets of Conflict Theory

Emphasizes macro-level structures, the role of inequality, power struggles, and the dominance of privileged groups. (Karl Marx)

Cultural Transmission

The process of passing culture down from one generation to another.

Hidden Curriculum

The implicit lessons and values taught beyond the formal curriculum in educational settings.

Dramaturgical Perspective

A sociological approach that compares social interactions to a theatrical performance. (Erving Goffman)

Symbolic Interactionism

A framework focusing on the meanings individuals assign to social interactions.

Micro Sociology

The study of individuals and their interactions, focusing on personal meanings.

Who created the concept of Ideal Types?

Max Weber developed the idea of Ideal Types, which involves observing similar entities to identify common elements for ideal constructs.

Who introduced Instrumental/Means-End Rationality?

Max Weber introduced Instrumental/Means-End Rationality, focusing on efficient and practical methods to achieve desired outcomes while considering various influencing conditions.

Who proposed Value Rationality?

Max Weber proposed Value Rationality, where decisions are made based on ethical values pursued for their own sake, irrespective of the success of outcomes.

Who discussed Rationalization as a societal shift?

Max Weber discussed Rationalization, which describes the transition in society toward greater instrumental rationality over religious motivations.

Who popularized the concept of Growth Mindset?

Carol Dweck popularized the concept of Growth Mindset, emphasizing that talents and abilities can be developed rather than being fixed.

Who introduced the concept of Intersectionality?

Kimberlé Crenshaw introduced Intersectionality, highlighting how membership in multiple marginalized communities intensifies negative consequences.

Who is associated with the Dramaturgical Perspective?

Erving Goffman is associated with the Dramaturgical Perspective, which likens social interactions to a theatrical performance.

Who theorized that competition acts as a coercive force?

Karl Marx theorized that competition acts as a coercive force, asserting that companies must prioritize profit to survive.

Who defined Bureaucracy in the context of roles and responsibilities?

Max Weber defined Bureaucracy as a system ensuring individuals adhere to their roles within set responsibilities, likening it to cogs in a machine.

Who raises the question of corporate accountability?

The ongoing discourse on who holds corporations accountable for their actions is prevalent among scholars and activists.

Who articulated the concept of Alienation?

Karl Marx articulated the concept of Alienation, emphasizing estrangement from one’s essential human nature in societal contexts.

Who defined Power in relation to achieving goals?

Max Weber defined Power as the capacity to achieve one’s objectives regardless of opposition.

Who developed the idea of Hegemony?

Antonio Gramsci developed the idea of Hegemony, explaining the dominance of one group over others through social and ideological means.

Who introduced the Code of the Street theory?

Elijah Anderson introduced the Code of the Street, detailing informal rules governing behavior, particularly in violence-prone urban neighborhoods.

Who articulated Durkheim's view of crime in society?

Émile Durkheim articulated the view that crime serves to reaffirm societal beliefs and norms, contributing to social cohesion.

Who formulated Merton’s Strain Theory?

Robert K. Merton formulated Strain Theory, which addresses how individuals react to the gap between societal goals and legitimate means to reach them.