Sociology Lecture Notes - Social Institutions and Perspectives

Flashcards covering social institutions, their functions, examples, and major sociological perspectives (functionalism, conflict theory, meritocracy, and symbolic interactionism) including key concepts like anomie, class consciousness, Meads stages, and the looking-glass self.

What are the three main functions of social institutions described in the lecture?

They are (1) a complex group, (2) reproduce themselves, (3) shape or influence behavior.

What does it mean that institutions are a "complex group"?

They involve more than one person, often hundreds or more, and are interdependent.

How do social institutions 'reproduce themselves'?

By performing similar actions over time, creating consistent effects on people year after year.

How do social institutions 'shape behavior'?

Participation in the institution leads to changes in behavior or norms (e.g., discipline learned in the military).

Which institution is used as the primary example of a social institution in the notes?

The United States military.

What is a key role of the US military as a social institution?

National defense.

How does basic training illustrate the reproduction of the military as an institution?

It provides a regimented, standardized experience that reinforces shared norms across generations.

Name two other examples of social institutions mentioned.

Education/school programs and prisons (or courthouses).

What is the macro perspective in sociology?

A big-picture view focusing on large-scale structures and how they interact.

What is the micro perspective in sociology?

A focus on interpersonal interactions, small groups, and shared norms.

What is functionalism?

A macro perspective that views society as a system where each part has a role; dysfunctions arise if parts fail; problems are solved by restoring order.

Who is associated with functionalism and what key concept did he study?

Émile Durkheim; studied suicide and the concept of anomie (normlessness).

What does Durkheim's term anomie refer to?

A disconnection from societal norms; a sense of normlessness linked to social instability.

How does functionalism explain crime and deviance?

Crime unites the community against deviants and reinforces moral guidelines; punishment reinforces social order.

What are common criticisms of functionalism?

It assumes the system is functional for all groups and tends to overlook inequality affecting marginalized groups.

What is conflict theory and who developed its early ideas?

A macro perspective focusing on power struggles over resources; developed by Karl Marx.

In conflict theory, who are the bourgeoisie and the proletariat?

Bourgeoisie: owners of production; Proletariat: workers who sell their labor.

What is class consciousness in conflict theory?

The awareness by the oppressed of their shared interests and power against the elite, potentially leading to collective action.

How is Bitcoin mining used in the notes to illustrate conflict theory?

Example of regulation and power dynamics; wealthier interests influence policy; illustrates inequality and top-down control.

What is meritocracy and is the United States a true meritocracy according to the notes?

Meritocracy: rewards based on merit; not entirely true in the US according to the notes; access to opportunities is uneven.

What is symbolic interactionism?

A micro-level perspective focusing on shared meanings formed through social interaction; reality is context-dependent.

What are Mead's play stage and game stage?

Play stage: understanding one role in isolation; Game stage: understanding how roles interconnect in a group.

What is the looking-glass self?

Cooley's idea that self-concept comes from how others respond to us; "I am who I think you think I am."

How does social media relate to the looking-glass self?

Self-presentation is guided by others' feedback; people curate posts to shape how others see them.

What are two critiques of symbolic interactionism?

It can be too fragmented, focusing on micro interactions; it may neglect larger social structures and institutions.

What is an example of a norm difference highlighted for symbolic interactionism?

Norms around texting vs calling; context-dependent communication behaviors across families and cultures.

What is a key takeaway about applying perspectives to social issues?

Different perspectives offer different angles; it's not about right or wrong; problems can be analyzed from multiple viewpoints.