inequalities in society

Who is C. Wright Mills?

An American sociologist (1916-1962) who wrote the Power Elite (1956)and the sociological imagination (1959)

What is the power elite?

It describes how power in society is held by leaders in industry, politics, and the military, who creates policies and conditions that shape society.

What is the sociological imagination?

A way of thinking sociologically- seeing how personal experiences (troubles) are linked to larger social and historical forces (public issues)

What does sociological imagination help you do?

It helps you look beyond your personal experiences to understand how society influences your life.

What is historical context in sociology?

Understanding how different events and time periods shape people’s experiences and social issues.

What is a personal trouble?

A problem that affects only you or you close circle (family and friends)

What is a public issue?

A problem that affects many people in society and comes from social structures (like unemployment or war)

What are mills 3 questions for sociological imagination?

1. What is the structure of society?

2. What does society stand in human history?

3. What kinds of people have the same problem?

What is the difference between personal troubles and public issues?

Personal troubles affect individuals; public issues affect large groups and are rooted in social systems.

Who is Erving Goffman?

A Canadian-American sociologist (1922-1982) who studied everyday social interaction and developed ideas about stigma and social identity.

What is stigmas?

A negative label or mark of shame that discredits someone and separates them from normal social acceptance.

What book did goffman write about stigma?

stigma: nots of the management of spoiled identity(1963)

What is the virtual social identity?

The identity others except you to have based on assumption or social expectations.

What is actual social identity?

The real traits of characteristics a person has- which may not match what others expect.

When does stigma happen?

When someone doesn’t live up to the expectations (virtual identity) others have of them (actual identities differs)

What is a discredited stigma?

A stigma that is visible or obvious (physical disability)

What is discreditable stigma?

A stigma that is hidden or not immediately visible but can be revealed (mental illness criminal record)

What are the 3 types if stigma?

Physical- bodily differences or disabilities

Character traits- moral, behavioral, or emotional flaws

Tribal- group identity like race, religion, or ethnicity

How do stigmatized people cope?

Internalize: try to correct or overcome their stigma

Avoid: limit contact or interaction with normal people

Who are “the own”?

People who share the same stigma and support each other through community and advocacy.

Who are “the wise”?

People who are not stigmatized but are sympathetic or supportive because they know someone with a stigma.

What is a moral career?

The process of learning what stigma is and what it’s like to live with it- first realizing what stigma means, then realizing you are stigmatized

What did link & phelan (2001) add to goffmans concept of stigma?

They explained stigma as a process involving labeling, stereotypes, separation, status loss, and discrimination- often based on power imbalances.

What is labeling?

Identifying and marking differences between people

What is stereotyping?

Applying negative assumptions to everyone in a labeled group.

What is separation?

Treating people as “different” and reinforcing social distance and inequality.