Studied by 289 people
Sociology
A social science that examines the human or social world
Study of people doing things together
Society
Group of people who shape their lives in patterned ways that distinguish their groups from others
Sociological perspective
Taking a sociological approach or thinking sociologically
Lense- how we view and understand the world
Beginner’s Mind
Approach to the world without knowing in advance: open and receptive to experience
Culture Shock
Understand other cultures without personal perspective
Sociological Imagination
C. Wright Mills: “To understand social life, we must understand the intersection between biography and history”.
A way to step aside ourselves to understand
Micro sociology
Small group interactions
Concentrated on the interactions between individuals and the ways in which those interactions construct the larger patterns, processes, and institutions of society
Macrosociology
Large-scale social structures and how they impact groups and individuals
The micro-macro continuum
Sociology covers a wide range of topics at different levels of analysis
Sociological Theories
Propositions that explain the social world and help make predictions about the future
Sometimes referred to as: Approach, schools of thoughts , paradigms, perspectives
Auguste Comte
Founder of sociology: the most significant and complex Sociology as a social discipline Laid the groundwork & helped build discipline
Herbert Spencer
Coined phrase “survival of the fittest” : social Darwinism
Societies evolve by adapting to their changing environment
Emile Durkheim
3 contributions: Mechanical & organic solidarity Sociological explanations for individual actions -anomie Religion -sacred -profane Structural functionalist
Structural Functionalism
Society is a unified whole -family, education, politics, economy, etc. each structure meets the needs of society -dysfunction Manifest vs. latent functions
Karl Marx
Conflict theory: means of production -central: understanding group dynamics -change Capitalism
George Herbert Mead
Symbolic interactionism -connection between thought and action -between the individual and society -meaning derived from social processes
Society is produced and reproduced through interaction -language -face-to-face interaction
Culture
The entire way of life of a group of people It is hard to see own culture Shapes and defines who we are Culture is learned
Ethnocentrism
One’s own culture as a standard to evaluate another group or individual Leads to the view that cultures other than one’s own is abnormal
Cultural Relativism
Process of understanding other cultures on their own terms
Components of culture
Material culture -objects associated with a cultural group
Symbolic culture -ways of thinking (beliefs, values, assumptions) -Ways of behaving (norms, interactions, and communication) Communication through signs, gestures and language
Language
System of communication usual vocal sounds, gestures and written symbols Most significant component of culture Shapes perceptions
Values and Norms
Values: shared beliefs about what is worthwhile or desirable -guide the creation of norms Norms: formal and informal rules for acceptable and appropriate behavior within culture
Types of Norms
Folkways: loosely enforced norm, helps ensure smooth social interaction
Mores: carries greater moral significance, closely related to core values of a group
Taboos: deeply engrained norm -violations evoke strong feelings of disgust, horror or revulsion
Norm Enforcement
Sanctions: positive- rewards. Negative- punishments Social control: formal and informal mechanisms used to: -increase conformity to values and norms -increase social cohesion
Multiculturalism
Values diverse racial, ethnic, national and linguistic backgrounds Encourages the retention of cultural differences within a society, rather than assimilation
Dominant culture
Values, norms, perspectives of the group within society that is most powerful in terms of wealth, prestige, status and influence
Subcultures
Group within society that is differentiated by its distinctive values, norms, and lifestyle
Counterculture
Openly rejects and/or actively opposes society’s values and norms
Socialization
Values, beliefs, and norms of social groups: -society teaches -individuals learn and internalize
Self
Personal identity Created and modified through social interaction
Sigmund Freud
Subconscious and unconscious mind
Charles Cooley
Looking-glass self -the self develops through our: -perceptions of others evaluations -appraisals of (interactions with) us We experience a feeling about ourselves based on our perception of other peoples judgment
Erving Goffman
Meaning is constructed through interaction and the self Dramaturgy -compares social interactions to the theater -individuals take on roles and act them out
The Thomas Theorem
“If people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.” Ambiguous situations allow for many possible meanings -the way we define each situation, then, becomes it’s reality
Impression Management
Social life as a game -we work to control the impressions others have of use-front -personal front -region -backstage -front stage
Agents of Socialization
Social groups, institutions, and individuals that provide structured situations where socialization occurs -family -schools -peers -mass media
Resocialization
Process of replacing previously learned norms and values with new ones as a part of a transition in life
Total Institution
Cuts individuals off from the rest of society so that their lives can be controlled and regulated -dramatic form of resocialization -prison, military, mental health unit
Status
A position in a social hierarchy that Carrie’s a particular set of expectations
Ascribed Status
A status we are born with that is unlikely to change
Achieved status
One that we earned through individual effort or that is imposed by others
Master Status
Status that seems to override all others and affects all other statuses that we possess
Roles
Behaviors expected from a particular status
Role Conflict
Roles associated with one status with the role’s associated with a different status
Role Strain
Roses associated with a single status clash
Role Exit
Process of leaving a role that we will no longer occupy
Deviance
Departs from the norm Generates a negative reaction Necessary in society
Cultural Relativism vs Ethnocentrism
What is deviant in one culture may not be deviant in another culture
Functionalism
Deviance serves a positive social function in society -norms and values -moral boundaries -social cohesion -social change
Structural Strain Theory
There are goals in our society that people want to achieve -but they can not always reach these goals Created stress/strain because people are aware of these goals but do not have the means to achieve them -fertility, money, love, fame, etc.
Merton’s Typology
Conformity, innovators, ritualists, retreatists, rebels
Conflict Theory
Means of production -bourgeoise/owners/capitalists Proletariat/works
Differential Association
Symbolic interactionism Learn deviance from deviant peers
Labeling Theory
Deviance is caused by external judgments- labels -change a persons self concept and the way that others respond
Self-fulfilling prophecy -a prediction that causes itself to come true
Deviant Identities- Stigma
Physical or social attribute Devalues identity Excludes the devalued/stigmatized 3 types: physical, moral, tribal
Physical Stigma
Physical or mental impairments
Moral stigma
Signs of flawed character Ex: cheating
Tribal Stigma
Membership in a discredited or oppressed group Ex: gang members
Deviant Identities- Passing
Stigmatized individuals may try to pass as if they are part of the mainstream
In-group Orientation
Stigmatized individuals -reject judgement and prejudice -Develop new standards -value their group identity
Crime
Violation of a norm that has been confined into law Punishable by: -fine -community service -imprisonment
Cross-Cultural Crime
Punishment in other countries: -shunning -banishment -corporal punishment
Deterrence
An approach to punishment that relies on the threat of harsh penalties to discourage people from committing crimes
Retribution
Emphasizes retaliation or revenge for the crime as the appropriate goal
Incapacitation
Seeks to protect society from criminals by imprisoning or executing them
Rehabilitation
Attempts to reform criminals as part of their penalty
Manifest function
Intended purpose Ex: a car is intended to get you around
Latent function
Unintended purpose Ex: a cars unintended purpose is causing pollution
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