A social science that examines the human or social world
Study of people doing things together
New cards
2
Society
Group of people who shape their lives in patterned ways that distinguish their groups from others
New cards
3
Sociological perspective
Taking a sociological approach or thinking sociologically
Lense- how we view and understand the world
New cards
4
Beginner’s Mind
Approach to the world without knowing in advance: open and receptive to experience
New cards
5
Culture Shock
Understand other cultures without personal perspective
New cards
6
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
New cards
7
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
New cards
8
Macrosociology
Large-scale social structures and how they impact groups and individuals
New cards
9
The micro-macro continuum
Sociology covers a wide range of topics at different levels of analysis
New cards
10
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
New cards
11
Auguste Comte
Founder of sociology: the most significant and complex Sociology as a social discipline Laid the groundwork & helped build discipline
New cards
12
Herbert Spencer
Coined phrase “survival of the fittest” : social Darwinism
Societies evolve by adapting to their changing environment
Society is a unified whole -family, education, politics, economy, etc. each structure meets the needs of society -dysfunction Manifest vs. latent functions
New cards
15
Karl Marx
Conflict theory: means of production -central: understanding group dynamics -change Capitalism
New cards
16
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
New cards
17
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
New cards
18
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
New cards
19
Cultural Relativism
Process of understanding other cultures on their own terms
New cards
20
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
New cards
21
Language
System of communication usual vocal sounds, gestures and written symbols Most significant component of culture Shapes perceptions
New cards
22
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
New cards
23
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
New cards
24
Norm Enforcement
Sanctions: positive- rewards. Negative- punishments Social control: formal and informal mechanisms used to: -increase conformity to values and norms -increase social cohesion
New cards
25
Multiculturalism
Values diverse racial, ethnic, national and linguistic backgrounds Encourages the retention of cultural differences within a society, rather than assimilation
New cards
26
Dominant culture
Values, norms, perspectives of the group within society that is most powerful in terms of wealth, prestige, status and influence
New cards
27
Subcultures
Group within society that is differentiated by its distinctive values, norms, and lifestyle
New cards
28
Counterculture
Openly rejects and/or actively opposes society’s values and norms
New cards
29
Socialization
Values, beliefs, and norms of social groups: -society teaches -individuals learn and internalize
New cards
30
Self
Personal identity Created and modified through social interaction
New cards
31
Sigmund Freud
Subconscious and unconscious mind
New cards
32
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
New cards
33
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
New cards
34
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
New cards
35
Impression Management
Social life as a game -we work to control the impressions others have of use -front -personal front -region -backstage -front stage
New cards
36
Agents of Socialization
Social groups, institutions, and individuals that provide structured situations where socialization occurs -family -schools -peers -mass media
New cards
37
Resocialization
Process of replacing previously learned norms and values with new ones as a part of a transition in life
New cards
38
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
New cards
39
Status
A position in a social hierarchy that Carrie’s a particular set of expectations
New cards
40
Ascribed Status
A status we are born with that is unlikely to change
New cards
41
Achieved status
One that we earned through individual effort or that is imposed by others
New cards
42
Master Status
Status that seems to override all others and affects all other statuses that we possess
New cards
43
Roles
Behaviors expected from a particular status
New cards
44
Role Conflict
Roles associated with one status with the role’s associated with a different status
New cards
45
Role Strain
Roses associated with a single status clash
New cards
46
Role Exit
Process of leaving a role that we will no longer occupy
New cards
47
Deviance
Departs from the norm Generates a negative reaction Necessary in society
New cards
48
Cultural Relativism vs Ethnocentrism
What is deviant in one culture may not be deviant in another culture
New cards
49
Functionalism
Deviance serves a positive social function in society -norms and values -moral boundaries -social cohesion -social change
New cards
50
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.
Studied by 306 people
