soci 201 dumas midterm 2

Rationalization

Emphasizing efficiency and standardization in society.

Financial Capital

Accumulated money available for spending.

Social Capital

Strong social networks aiding in crises.

Cultural Capital

Knowledge and skills reflecting social status.

Bureaucratization

Increasing dominance of bureaucracies in society.

What is material culture?

all the physical objects or artifacts that people create and attach meaning to.

What are examples of material culture?

all the above

What does non-material culture refer to?

The intangible elements of culture.

What are some examples of non-material culture?

all the above

The argument that language determines thought is known as

the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.

Judging another culture by our own cultural standards is known as

Ethnocentrism

Walking on the "wrong" side of hallways during class changes at the Universityof Calgary is referred to as a violation of _____

Folkways

The bourgeoisie in Marxian terms is analogous to _____ in Wright's terms

Those who control the means of production

This sociologist argued that bureaucratization would be the most noteworthy aspect of social life in the future

Weber

Believing that you are not racist, yet living in a diverse neighbourhood andonly interacting with others like yourself, is known as _____

Subliminal interpersonal racism

Thinking that all white people are academically talented is known as

Prejudice

Not hiring women because you believe that they are too communicative andunproductive is known as

Discrimination

True or False? Marx argued that the proletariat would overthrow capitalism

true

It was _____that put forth the "law of accumulation

Marx

True or False? Davis and Moore believed that inequality would ultimately be eliminated

false

True or False? There is no such thing as an ascribed status because allpersonal characteristics can be changed

False

_____ believed that working people experienced alienation

Marx

Canada ranks _____ in terms of eliminating child poverty

Poorly

Chinese head taxes are an example of _____ racism

Systematic institutional

Satzewich (the author of the chapter on race and ethnic relations in NewSociety) argues that race is an ascribed and an achieved status

true

New arrivals to Canada who maintain their distinctiveness are generally considered _____

Subcultures

Assuming that feminists who want to change society possess their own unique folkways, norms, and values, they are generally considered _____

A counterculture

If you are not married, but cheat on your partner, then you have violated a_____

Mores

Language and Gender: women

use more modifiers and tag questions, larger vocabulary for cooking, colours, textures, food, clothing and parenting. more open.

Language and Gender: Men

interrupt, give directions, express opinions, use "I" statements, use judgmental adjectives, make references to quantity, use incomplete statements (nice job), less open talk more at the beginning of a relationship

Nancy Davis Reaction to social class: Resistance

denying that you can change your status

Nancy Davis Reaction to Social Class: Paralysis

Refusing to do anything about it, feel like there is nothing you CAN do.

Nancy Davis Reaction to Social Class: Rage

anger towards yourself and others when not taken seriously

According to Davis and Moore, what is the role of inequality in society?

for society to be functional

What does income refer to?

Economic gain attained by wages, salaries, and income transfers from the government.

What is wealth?

The accumulated assets of goods such as buildings, land, farms, houses, factories, etc.

Does wealth equal income?

No

Christopher Sarlo - Poverty

true poverty is "stomach stretching poverty" he says you confuse poverty with lack of middle class amenities. The truly impoverished do not have coffee, jam, ketchup, tv, and DVD players. He believes we exaggerate the level of poverty in Canada. BUT poverty is defined differently in wealthy countries

Relative Poverty

Refers to an inability to secure an average standard of living. They are considered deprived relative to others. Ex. cant afford to have internet access, electronics. Low Income Cutoff Point

In what year did Davis and Moore publish their ideas on Structural Functionalism?

1949

What do Davis and Moore believe holds society together?

Consensus, not conflict

What do Davis and Moore argue would happen if inequality were eliminated?

It would be harmful to society

What do Davis and Moore believe about the continuation of inequality?

it will continue because it is functional and necessary

What type of society do Davis and Moore believe we live in?

meritocracy

What do Davis and Moore attribute to racism in society?

it serves a purpose in society

How do Davis and Moore rationalize social issues like crime and famine?

They argue these issues will better the planet

Who is the main theorist associated with Conflict Theory?

Marx

What are the two main groups in society according to Conflict Theory?

The haves and the have nots

What do social relationships to the means of production refer to in Conflict Theory?

People's position in society, such as proletariat and bourgeoisie

What is surplus value in the context of Conflict Theory?

The amount appropriated by the bourgeoisie

What does the proletariat experience according to Karl Marx?

Exploitation and alienation

What does the 'law of accumulation' suggest in capitalist societies?

As the bourgeoisie obtains more wealth, the proletariat will eventually have no money to purchase products, leading to system collapse

what social scientist believed that authority would crumble and so would inequality

karl marx

In the conflict theory pyramid by Erik Ohlin Wright what is the order from top to bottom

capitalist class (owns means of production)
managerial class (controls the labour of others)
small business class (purchases the labour of others)
working class (sells labour, petty bourgeoisie)

Who is a key theorist associated with Symbolic Interactionism?

Erving Goffman

What concept does Goffman argue regarding social roles?

We inhabit roles based on our status.

What is the concept of deference in social interactions?

Poor individuals tend to respect the rich and do not challenge them.

What is prejudice in the context of racism?

Unfavourable, generalized and rigid beliefs applied to all members of a group.

What is discrimination in the context of racism?

Practices that deny groups equal access to societal rewards.

What did Darwin contribute to the understanding of genetics in the 19th century?

Darwin proposed that genetics determined whether species could endure environmental changes.

What was a key finding of Mendel's research in genetics?

Mendel revealed that biological traits are not passed on as package deals, but are shuffled like a pack of playing cards.

What does the concept of genetics as a continuum imply?

It implies that we are not clones of our parents.

What is the Thomas Theorem?

If people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.

What does the belief in race give rise to?

interpersonal racism.

What is interpersonal racism?

racism that occurs between individuals.

Interpersonal Racism: Polite

"wow your english is really good" not obvious, "you sound white", backhanded compliments
- crime, first thought it was the person of colour
- following someone though store thinking they're going to steal

What is an example of intentional systematic institutional racism in Canada?

The Chinese head tax, which required Chinese immigrants to pay to enter Canada.

During the Second World War, which two countries considered allowing Jewish refugees?

Canada and Cuba.

What was the Canadian government's stance on Jewish refugees during the Holocaust?

The government blamed Jews for problems and adopted a policy of 'none is too many.'

Culture - Brym

Culture isn't something that just exists but is beneficial

What does it mean that culture is learned?

Culture consists of values that are learned by individuals.

How is culture shared?

symbols

What does it mean that culture is cumulative?

It builds upon previous ideas and practices over time.

What is a defining characteristic of culture?

Culture is a human phenomenon that distinguishes us from animals.

What is the sum of culture?

the total of socially transmitted ideas, practices, and material objects.

What is Abstraction

the human ability to create and use symbols such as language in order to classify experience and generalize from it

What is Cooperation

the human ability and capacity to construct norms and laws

What is production?

The human capacity to make and use tools and techniques to take and create what we want.

How does production affect our interaction with nature?

It improves our ability to take what we want from nature.

Building blocks of Culture

values, norms, laws and sanctions

What are values?

general beliefs of right and wrong

What are norms?

specification of appropriate behaviour

What are laws?

codified norms; norms that are so specific and important that we outlined punishments for not following them

What are sanctions?

rewards and punishments used to encourage or, in some cases, ensure that people follow norms (cultural guidelines)

What are folkways?

(Minor Norms) customary behaviour; don't really control how someone acts, nothing really happens when you violate ex. holding the door for someone, interrupting someone, cutting in line

Mores

(Major Norms but not Laws) more serious and carry moral condemnation and severe punishment ex. cheating on a spouse, dating your best friends ex, rumour depending on severity

What is cultural relativism?

states that all cultures have intrinsic worth and all are equal and worthy ex. Canada's Multiculturalism

What is ethnocentrism?

The tendency to judge other cultures exclusively by the standards of our own.

What does ethnocentrism assume about one's own culture?

It assumes that one's own culture is superior.

What social issue is closely tied to ethnocentrism?

Racism

Whats an example of a group that exhibited ethnocentrism

Nazi Germany

What are the twin faces of culture?

freedom and constraint

Freedom in context to twin faces of culture consists of

Multiculturalism, Globalization, Rights revolution, postmodernism

What does Multiculturalism do

provides minorities with rights; prevents tyranny of the majority

What does Globalization do

increase trade, communication and production

What was the "Rights Revolution"?

-the process by which excluded groups have obtained equal rights under the law and in practice
-1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights
-compensation for past injustices (ex. Japanese internment)

What characterizes postmodernism in terms of cultural elements?

An eclectic mixing of cultural elements.

What is a notable change in societal attitudes from the 80s and 90s to now?

There is less elitism and more freedom to dress and act as people wish.

What were 'Fruit Machines' used for during the communist scare?

Tests performed on people to determine if they were gay, leading to their firing if they were.

What is one effect of postmodernism on authority?

Erosion of authority