Purdue: SOC 402 Stainback Exam 2

What are social facts?

External forces, such as laws, customs, and institutions, that shape individual behavior and exist independently of individuals.

What are the two types of social solidarity according to Durkheim?

1. Mechanical Solidarity - Based on shared values and common work in traditional societies. 2. Organic Solidarity - Based on interdependence in modern societies with specialized labor.

What is anomie?

A state of normlessness caused by rapid social change, leading to a breakdown of moral guidance and social cohesion.

What are the four types of suicide according to Durkheim?

1. Egoistic Suicide - Due to weak social ties and isolation. 2. Altruistic Suicide - Due to excessive integration, sacrificing oneself for the group. 3. Anomic Suicide - Caused by sudden social or economic disruptions. 4. Fatalistic Suicide - Due to excessive regulation and oppression.

How does Durkheim define religion?

A system of beliefs and practices that separates the sacred (holy, revered) from the profane (ordinary, everyday).

What is collective conscience?

The shared beliefs and moral attitudes that operate as a unifying force in society.

What is mechanical solidarity based on?

A strong collective conscience and similarity among individuals, typical of pre-industrial societies.

What is organic solidarity based on?

Interdependence among individuals with specialized roles, typical of modern societies.

What is social integration?

The degree to which individuals feel connected to their social groups.

What is social regulation?

The degree to which societal norms and rules influence individual behavior.

What is fatalistic suicide?

Suicide resulting from excessive regulation and oppressive conditions (e.g., prisoners, enslaved individuals).

What is egoistic suicide?

Suicide due to low social integration, often linked to isolation or lack of belonging.

What is altruistic suicide?

Suicide resulting from excessive social integration, where an individual sacrifices themselves for the group.

What is anomic suicide?

Suicide caused by sudden disruptions in social or economic conditions, leading to a breakdown of norms.

How does Durkheim explain crime?

Crime is a normal part of society that helps reinforce collective values by distinguishing right from wrong.

What is Durkheim's view on deviance?

Deviance is necessary for social change and helps define societal norms.

What is Weber's concept of Verstehen?

An interpretive understanding method where sociologists grasp the subjective meaning of individual actions.

What are Weber's four types of social action?

1. Instrumentally Rational - Goal-oriented and based on efficiency. 2. Value-Rational - Based on deeply held beliefs, regardless of consequences. 3. Affectual - Driven by emotions. 4. Traditional - Based on habit or custom.

What are Weber's three types of authority?

1. Traditional Authority - Based on customs and long-standing practices. 2. Charismatic Authority - Based on a leader's personal qualities and ability to inspire. 3. Rational-Legal Authority - Based on rules, laws, and formal procedures.

What is an ideal type?

A conceptual model that highlights essential characteristics of social phenomena (e.g., bureaucracy).

What is bureaucracy according to Weber?

A structured, rule-based organization with hierarchical authority and impersonal decision-making.

What are the key features of bureaucracy?

1. Hierarchical structure 2. Rule-based operation 3. Impersonality 4. Specialization of tasks 5. Merit-based hiring and promotion

How does Weber describe rationalization?

The process where traditional methods and beliefs are replaced by efficiency, calculation, and control.

What is the Protestant Ethic and how does it relate to capitalism?

Weber argues that Protestant values like hard work, discipline, and frugality contributed to the rise of capitalism.

What is the "spirit of capitalism"?

A mindset that emphasizes the pursuit of profit, economic rationality, and disciplined work ethic.

What is social stratification?

The hierarchical ranking of people based on wealth, power, and status.

How does Weber define class?

A group of individuals with similar economic opportunities and market positions.

What is status according to Weber?

A person's social honor or prestige, which may be independent of economic class.

What is party in Weber's theory?

An organized group seeking to influence power, often through political or legal means.

How does Weber differentiate class, status, and party?

Class is based on economic position, status is based on prestige, and party is about power and influence.

What is legal-rational authority?

Authority based on established laws, rules, and procedures rather than personal characteristics or traditions.

What is traditional authority?

Authority derived from long-standing customs, often seen in monarchies or religious institutions.

What is charismatic authority?

Authority based on an individual's extraordinary personal qualities that inspire devotion.

What is disenchantment according to Weber?

The loss of mystical and religious beliefs in favor of rationality and scientific understanding.

What does Weber mean by the "iron cage"?

A metaphor for the increasing rationalization and bureaucratization of society, trapping individuals in rigid systems.

How does Weber view capitalism compared to Marx?

Weber sees capitalism as influenced by cultural and religious factors, not just economic conditions.

What is the difference between mechanical and organic solidarity?

Mechanical solidarity is based on similarity and collective conscience, while organic solidarity is based on interdependence and specialization.

What does Durkheim argue about crime in society?

Crime exists in all societies and plays a functional role in reinforcing norms and promoting social change.

What does Weber mean by "life chances"?

The opportunities individuals have to improve their quality of life based on their class, status, and power.

What is social mobility?

The ability of individuals or groups to move up or down the social hierarchy.

How does Weber define power?

The ability to impose one's will on others, even against resistance.

How does Weber define legitimacy?

The acceptance of authority by the people, making power appear justifiable.

What is Durkheim's concept of moral education?

The idea that education helps instill societal norms and values in individuals.

How does Weber explain modernity?

Modernity is characterized by rationalization, bureaucratization, and the decline of traditional authority.

What does Durkheim mean by functionalism?

A perspective that views society as a system of interrelated parts working together for stability.

How do Durkheim and Weber differ in their approaches?

Durkheim focuses on social structures and cohesion, while Weber emphasizes individual actions and meanings.

What is social cohesion?

The degree to which individuals feel connected and integrated into society.

What role does religion play in Durkheim's theory?

Religion reinforces collective values and strengthens social cohesion.

What is Weber's critique of bureaucracy?

Bureaucracy can become dehumanizing and overly rigid, reducing individual freedom.

What is secularization?

The decline of religious influence in public life as societies become more rationalized.