Sociology Exam 2

Pillars of Caste

• Divine Will/Natural Law

• Heritability

• Endogamy & Control of Marriage/Mating

• Purity vs. Pollution

• Occupational Hierarchy

• Dehumanization & Stigma

• Discredited- covering

• Discreditable- passing

• Terror enforcement, control by cruelty

• Inherent superiority vs. inherent inferiority

Caste vs. Social Class

Caste

• Fixed nature 

• Inherited

• Religious/legal forces

• Mobility limited

• Endogamy

• Inequalities personalized

  Class

• More fluid, human agency

• Not inherited

• Economic forces

• Mobility more common

• Level of openness for intermarriage

• Inequalities impersonal

Prejudice

• Negative/rigid beliefs/attitudes (affective element) about category of people without sound knowledge, unfair, involves preference

Stereotyping

• Assumed characteristics with some consensus (positive/negative); often distorted, over-simplified, standardized beliefs about characteristics for an entire category of people, simplify thinking

Discrimination

• Involves negative action based on preconceptions

Racism

• Beliefs/practices that justify idea that one racial category is innately superior/inferior to others

• Frustration-Aggression (Scapegoat Theory)

• Blaming others for personal troubles

• Target category and then respond

Conflict Theory

A sociological framework that views society as composed of groups competing for limited resources, leading to social change and conflict.

“Innate” Inferiority

a group’s situation, over time, explained as a condition of innate inferiority rather than looking at reasons based on social structure

Patriarchy

A social system in which men hold primary power, dominating in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.

Types of Feminism

Liberal feminism

• Humanitarian-like thinking

• Gender equity

• Betty Friedan

  Social Feminism

• Belief in socialist revolution

  Radical Feminism

• Eliminate idea of gender

• Egalitarian, gender-free revolution

  Opposition to Feminism

• Most directed toward socialist and radical groups

• Many men reluctant to give up perks, some male pro-feminists

The Social Body

The concept that refers to how society functions as a collective entity, influencing individuals' behavior and identity through social norms and institutions.

Social Health Matrix

A framework that examines the interconnectedness of social factors affecting health, including economic, cultural, and environmental influences.

Manifest vs. Latent Function

Manifest functions are the intended and recognized consequences of a social structure, while latent functions are the unintended and often hidden consequences.

Types of Social Movements

• Alternative

• Least threatening, limited change for a limited number of people (ex. Planned parenthood, pro-life)

• Reform (progressive or reactionary)

• Limited social change, targets everyone (ex. Environmental, BLM, #MeToo)

• Redemptive

• Radical change, focus on the individual (ex. Alcoholics anonymous)

• Revolutionary 

• Most severe and far-reaching consequences, basic transformation of society and institutions

Deprivation Theory

A theory that explains how social deprivation can lead to feelings of relative disadvantage, which may contribute to social unrest and deviance.

Mass Society Theory

A sociological perspective that suggests modern society is characterized by a lack of social ties, leading to alienation and disconnection among individuals.

Structural Strain Theory

A sociological theory that posits that societal pressure and discrepancies between societal goals and the means available to achieve them can lead to deviance and social movements.

Precipitating Factors

• Specific triggering events prompt collective action/social change

Resource Mobilization Theory

A sociological theory that emphasizes the importance of resources, organization, and social networks in the mobilization of individuals for collective action and social movements.

New Social Movements Theory

A sociological perspective that focuses on the emergence of social movements in the post-industrial society, emphasizing identity, culture, and new forms of collective action distinct from traditional labor movements.

Political Process Theory

argues that success or failure of social movements is affected primarily by political opportunities.

Social Perspectives/paradigms

• Fundamental assumptions that guide thinking (attend to some things, miss others) 

• Functionalism, conflict, symbolic interactionism

Deduction vs. Induction

Inductive reasoning involves starting from specific premises and forming a general conclusion, while deductive reasoning involves using general premises to form a specific conclusion.