UW-Madison Soc 210 Midterm

Functionalist Theory

Organic metaphor: society is like human body with interrelated parts that work together to make up the whole; social order and stability

Conflict Theory

Society is primarily a struggle for resources, hierarchical

Symbolic Interaction Theory

Theory that people make sense of the world based on their interpretation of words or symbols used by others

Culture

The values, beliefs, and norms of a society

Dominant Culture

Majority held culture, dominant in society

Subculture

Cultures that exist within the dominant culture, but with distinct norms and values

Counterculture

Rejects the dominant culture altogether and live outside it

Material Culture

Physical objects produced, embraced, and consumed by society

Symbolic Culture

The abstract creations of human cultures that produce shared ideas and behavioral expectations (symbols, language, beliefs, values, norms)

Folkways

Weaker norms lacking serious consequences if broken

Mores

Stronger norms with more serious consequences if broken

Laws

Mores that include official punishments if broken

Ethnocentrism

Practice of judging other cultures with the standards of our own

Cultural Relativism

Practice of understanding other cultures in terms of their own values

Functionalist perspective on culture

Culture increases stability of society but can also be dysfunctional based on values of society

Conflict perspective on culture

A society's dominant culture reflects the values and expectations of the powerful, thus contributing to social inequality

Symbolic interaction perspective on culture

Culture is what allows us to successfully navigate social situations. Cultural values and norms help structure our interactions with each other

Socialization

Process through which we learn the values, beliefs, and norms of society, and develop a sense of self

The Forest and the Trees Main Idea

Basis: Using trees and a forest as a metaphor to show people are participating in something bigger than themselves. Focus on the individual blunts the sociological imagination.

Code of the Streets Main Idea

Basis: Explanation of "codes" that guide street interaction. At the heart of the code is the issue of respect/being treated right.

Sexual Categories Main Idea

Basis: What is male, female, or other can be based on a society's standards and norms.

*Are categories in existence because humans see real difference (Realist idea), or are categories entirely arbitrary conventions (Nominalist idea)?

Queer Customs Main Idea

Basis: Culture provides meaning to the physical world, thoughts, and emotions. It is a flexible human construct and diverse.

The Religion of Worksim is Making America Miserable Main Idea

Basis: Americans are increasingly looking for purpose and spirituality in their careers rather than religion

The McDonald's System Main Idea

Quantity has taken over value of quality, jobs have become automated

How Much Do Parents Matter Main Idea

Parents are just one agent of socialization out of many; They don't matter as much as they think they matter

The Stanford Prison Experiment Main Idea

The Destructiveness of Call-Out Culture Main Idea

You Can Give a Boy a Doll, but you Can't Make Him Play Main Idea

Children have gender preferences in toys/how they act that cannot necessarily be changed

Growing Up Fore Main Idea

Societies function efficiently without an organized structure

The Pathology of Prejudice Main Idea

It is difficult to change racist thoughts but it is possible to combat these ideas; takes time

Love, Marriage, and Indian Social Structure Main Idea

Domestic Networks Main Idea

From Amish Society Main Idea

The Devil's Playground Main Idea

On Face Work Main Idea

Life Beyond the Screen Main Idea

Social group

Larger groups characterized by task-oriented objectives and more impersonal relationships/weak emotional ties

Informal: students, coworkers

Formal: corporations, hospitals, organizations

Primary social group

Smaller groups categorized by face to face interaction and emotional/intimate attachments. Ex: friends, family, cliques, clubs

Roles

Behavioral expectations attached to a social status

Ascribed status

Status that we have little to no control over

ex) sibling, gender, race, sexual identity

Achieved status

Status that we choose or earn

ex) college graduate, spouse, parent, employee, student

Networks

A system of interconnected individuals/groups

Institutions

Large scale areas of social activity with one specific function or purpose

Ethnomethodology

Studies the common sense cultural knowledge through which people make sense of everyday situations and interactions (norms are only noticed when broken)

Interaction Order

The nonstop process of impression management during social activities/encounters. Verbal and non-verbal signals used to interpret social situations. "Saving face" is key

Goffman's "Dramaturgy"

Social interaction in everyday life is an ongoing process of self-presentation and impression management. Like a series of stage performances

Traditional Societies

Simple division of labor, technologically limited, minimal diversity, low levels of individualism, mechanical solidarity

Mechanical solidarity

Strong social bonds rooted in tradition, religion, and kinship

Modern/Complex Societies

Complex division of labor, highly technological, high diversity, highly individualistic, organic solidarity

Organic solidarity

Weaker social bonds based on interdependence

Groupthink

Tendency of group members to conform, resulting in a narrow view of some issue

Rule Systems

Informal rules of behavior within small primary groups

Hierarchy Social Structure

Social structures ranked from high to low

Solidarity Social Structure

Small primary groups with strong levels of cohesion

Social structure

Organized and durable relationships and patterns of activity in a given social context

Social status

Any recognized social position in a given social context

Achieved self

Statuses we choose/earn (ex. College graduate)

Social Network

A system of interconnected individuals and groups.

Ascribed self

Statuses over which we have little or no control (ex. sibling)

Primary groups

Groups with which we have regular contact and personal/emotional attachments to (ex. Friend group, family, coworkers)

Secondary groups

Larger groups that tend to be more task oriented and impersonal (ex. university, bureaucracies)

Mechanical solidarity (Durkheim)

Strong social bonds rooted in tradition, religion, and kinship

Groupthink