Intro to Sociology Exam

sociological theory

a set of interrelated ideas that provide a systematic understanding of the social world.

conflict theory

a sociological perspective emphasizing the role of political and economic power and oppression as contributing to the existing social order.

manifest functions

intentional and formally sanctioned functions of social institutions and society.

latent functions

unintentional and informally sanctioned functions of social institutions and society.

dysfunction

the undesirable disruptions of social patterns resulting in negative consequences within society.

socialized self

which states that the self cannot develop apart from society.

symbolic interaction

a micro view of how society is the product of interactions between people, which occur via symbols that have distinct meanings.

social facts

social patterns that are external to individuals and greatly influence our way of thinking and behaving in society.

applied sociology

the use of sociological theory, research, and methodologies to find solutions to problems in society.

postmodern social theory

a critical view rejecting the historical, scientific, and structured means of investigating and interpreting the social world.

objective conditions

the scope of a problem.

subjective concerns

people's feelings about a problem.

Fair Trade

an organizational movement and certification process to help producers in developing countries receive a fair price for their products with the goals of reducing poverty, providing for the ethical treatment of workers and farmers, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices.

sustainability

the idea that current and future generations should have equal or greater access to social, economic, and environmental resources.

sustainable development

development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

sociological imagination

the ability to see the details of our own lives in the context of larger social structures as opposed to merely personal choices or personal troubles.

anomie

the breakdown of social values, norms, and order resulting in social instability

quantitative research

Specific and narrow questions, collects data from participants, uses numbers and statistics, unbiased inquiries

Secondary analysis, surveys, experiments, longitudinal

qualitative research

broad and general questions, collected data generally consists of words (texts) and images, biased inquiries

Content analysis, participation observation, in depth interviews, focus groups

Auguste Comte

Developed the concept of sociology based on the methods used in the physical sciences.

Validity

The extent that the study measures what it claims to measure.

Operational Definition

A clear, concise, and observable measure of the variable.

Representative Sample

A subset of the population whose characteristics accurately reflect those of the larger population from which it is drawn.

General Social Survey (GSS)

A national survey on contemporary American society to monitor and explain trends and constants in attitudes, behaviors, and attributes.

Verstehen

An empathetic approach to understanding human behavior.

Material Culture

Physical artifacts that represent components of society

Non-Material Culture

Ideas and symbols that represent components of society

Types of Non-Material Culture

Norms, Values, Roles, Language, Symbols

Types of Norms

Folkways, Mores, Laws, Taboos

Folkways

informal and common norms that guide everyday behavior; least significant of the norms; minor norm violation (ex: using umbrella inside)

Mores

norms based on moral and ethical factors that may be strictly enforced, and violations may be punished (ex: college kid going to class naked; dating someone you helped raise)

Laws

formal and legal rules enforced by the state

Taboos

norms that if violated cause revolutions and the most severe social sanction (ex: incest and cannibalism in USA)

Norms

Culturally specific guidelines and expectations of behavior

Values

1. collective ideas about what is desirable and undesirable in society (can change over time)

Roles

Collection of norms associated with a particular position in society

Language

words and symbols used to communicate (most important characteristic of our species)

Symbols

an idea or object that has shared meaning to groups of people

Symbolic Interactionism

a. the peculiar and distinctive character of intuition as it takes place between human beings (meaning that is attached to the action; interpretation of the interaction)

High Culture

cultural characteristics associated with the dominant and elite members of society (ex: private plane flights, owning a yacht, seeing Broadway plays)

Popular Culture

cultural characteristics adopted, imitated, and idolized by the masses (ex: flying southwest, going to movies, driving a Toyota or Prius)

Fashion

a valued style of behavior, thinking, or appearance that is long lasting and widespread (ex: white wedding dress, sandals...)

Fad

temporary but widely copied activity followed enthusiastically by a large number of people (ex: silly bands...)

Subcultures

distinct set of cultural characteristics that are shared by a minority of people in society

Counterculture

a subculture group that is opposition or contrast with a majority of society

Culture Shock

result of coming into contact with a radically different culture that challenges our basic assumptions

Culture Relativism

understanding another culture from their standards

Ethnocentrism

judging another culture by our own standards

Cultural Lag

the process by which technological development and process outpace current norms, values, knowledge, symbols, and material components of society (some part of culture changes and the other part lags behind; usually materialistic culture changes first)

cultural diffusion

The spread of norms, values, knowledge, symbols, and material components from one society to another, often involving 'borrowing' from one another.

cultural leveling

The process by which cultures become similar due to factors like media and globalization, exemplified by the adoption of a white wedding dress.

nature vs nurture

The influence of inherited genes (nature) versus environmental factors (nurture) on human development.

What is socialization

The process by which individuals learn the appropriate attitudes and behaviors within their culture.

Charles Cooley's theory

The Looking Glass Self, which describes how individuals develop their self-concept through interactions with others.

· 3 Steps:

o We imagine how we look or appear to others

o We interpret other reactions, how they judge or evaluate our appearance

o We develop a self-concept, that is either favorable or unfavorable based on how we think they're viewing us

George H Mead Theory

Role of play

· 3 Stages:

o Children only initially mimicking the gestures and words of others

o Children begin to play the roles of specific people

o Children become involved in organized team games (generally in school; baseball positions is an example)

Jean Piaget Theory

Cognitive development

· 4 Stages:

o Sensorimotor stage (no cognitive function)

o Preoperational stage (child develops the ability to use symbols)

o Concrete operational stage (development of reasoning ability)

o Formal operational stage (abstract and thinking imagination develop)

Sigmund Freud

Elements of personality

· 3 Elements of Personality

o Id: inborn drive for self-gratification

o Superego: conscious; the culture within you

o Ego: balances the needs of the id, and the demands of society (superego)

Socialization - Gender

Parents start the process, but schools encourage and develop the idea of gender indifference.

Agents of socialization

Individuals, groups, and institutions that influence the attitudes and behaviors of members of society.

Who is Edward Hall and what concept is he known for?

Edward Hall is known for Proxemics Theory, which addresses distance zones and personal space preferences between individuals.

1. Intimate Distance: 0-18 inches

2. Personal Space: 18 inches - 4 feet (ATM distance)

3. Social Space: 4-12 feet (informal relationships)

4. Public Space: 12+ feet (speakers, concert, movies, etc.)

Feral Child

children that are isolated and neglected, such that they are raised without socialization