History of Sociology

What is altruistic suicide?

A form of suicide where individuals care so much about a group that they sacrifice themselves, prioritizing the group over the individual.

Which religious group had a higher suicide rate according ?

Protestants had a higher suicide rate than Catholics.

What did Hegel contribute to the philosophy of society?

The ideas of society form and change society.

How did Marx's perspective differ from Hegel's?

Marx turned Hegel's notion upside down, suggesting that material conditions drive society rather than ideas.

What is materialism in the context of sociology?

A perspective that holds that humans are ultimately shaped by their material surroundings.

What do the terms 'capitalists' and 'workers' refer to in Marxist theory?

Capitalists are the owners of production, while workers sell their labor for wages.

What is the conflict between capitalists and workers?

Capitalists want to keep wages low, while workers desire the highest possible wages.

What does increasing wealth polarization lead to, according to the notes?

It may lead to an eventual revolution.

Where did Marx go wrong in his predictions?

He did not foresee the rise of the middle classes and the impact of union compromises.

What is Marx's sociological legacy regarding capitalism?

Marx exposed the 'dark side' of capitalism, highlighting wealth disparities and exploitation.

What is cultural fetishism?

The phenomenon where commodities take on a mystical quality and people become obsessed with them.

What happens to workers under capitalism according to Marx?

Workers become alienated from their products and from each other.

What is the superficial official power structure?

The visible hierarchy that appears in organizations, which may hide informal power dynamics.

How are different religions described in terms of bureaucracy?

While they may seem different externally, they follow structurally the same bureaucratic system internally.

Why can't a pamphlet on hierarchy in a company fully explain the dynamics within a social setting?

It does not capture the informal power dynamics and underlying social relations.

What is Consumerism ?

The notion that your values, status, and worth are determined by your consumption of goods and services.

Durkheim, Marx and Weber are usually considered foundational figures to sociology. Identify one contribution made to sociology by each person and elaborate on the significance of that contribution.

Durkheim introduced the concept of social facts, emphasizing the influence of societal norms on individual behavior. Marx analyzed the role of class struggle in shaping society, highlighting the impact of economic factors on social structures. Weber contributed the idea of verstehen, focusing on understanding social action through the perspectives of individuals.

Compare and Contrast the ideas of C Wright Mills and Peter Berger in relation to their understanding of sociology.

Mills emphasized the 'sociological imagination'—the ability to connect personal experiences to larger social structures, while Berger focused on 'seeing through'—understanding societal constructs behind appearances.

What is consumerism how do advertisers try and make us Perpetual consumers?  how are websites like Facebook changing and perpetuating consumerism?

 what is the difference between social and cultural capital how does social and cultural capital give advantage to individuals who come from privileged backgrounds can you think of an example for each concept?

Consumerism refers to the belief that personal values and social status are defined by the consumption of goods and services. Advertisers often create a sense of urgency and desirability around products, using techniques like emotional appeal and social proof to encourage perpetual consumption. Websites like Facebook perpetuate consumerism by leveraging user data to deliver targeted ads, creating a cycle of desire and consumption.

Social capital involves the networks and relationships that provide individuals with support and resources, while cultural capital encompasses the knowledge, skills, and education that influence social mobility. Individuals from privileged backgrounds benefit from both forms of capital; for example, a wealthy family may provide connections for job opportunities (social capital) and access to quality education (cultural capital).

 Stratification refers to how society is layered. What do elite theories, such as C. Wright Mills and William Donoff, have to say about social stratification is constituted and reproduced how have others challenged their ideas?

Stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals in society based on factors such as wealth, power, and prestige. Elite theories, like those of C. Wright Mills and William Domhoff, argue that a small elite controls resources and decision-making, perpetuating inequality, while critics contend that these views overlook the role of social mobility and diverse factors influencing stratification.