Social Science - Exam Review

Origin of social science

Pre-1700 Europe was considered to be "dark age", explanations used to be faith, not fact and education was going "backwards"

Hippocrates

Revolutionised medicine in ancient Greece, setting it apart from other fields it had been associated with. Considered the father of medicine.

Greek Philosophy

Arose in 6th century BC continued through the Hellenistic Period. Covered many topics, such as astronomy, mathematics, metaphysics, ethics, etc. It was one of the first fields to make out the world in a non-religious way.

Three most famous greek philosophers

Aristotle, Plato, and Socrate

Development of Knowledge

Two branches emerged, one of physical science (using experiments and reasoning) and the other of pre-social science (asking questions about human behaviour). Physical Science + Philosophy (Pre-social science) \= social science

Age of Discovery

15th century, early Anthropology. Explorers and adventurers travelled the world and discussed the habits and practices of people in the conquered land. Their findings were biased and unscientific.

Modern Anthropology

A major growth occurred during the age of enlightenment when Europeans studied human behaviour systematically. During this era, ethnographic study of "human primitives" took place. 18th century Europe was fascinated by these discoveries.

Scientific Anthropology

Philosophers insisted that observations were the only way to make valid conclusions. By the 1800s, Darwinism arises and claims that all species of life have descended from common ancestors. Darwinism is now widely accepted in science.

Pre-Psychology

Philosophical interest in the human mind and behaviour dates back to many ancient civilizations. It wasn't considered a social science until the 1870s when it branched off from philosophy

Sigmund Freud

Developed and applied methods of hypnosis, free association, and dream interpretation to reveal unconscious beliefs and desires.

History of Sociology

During the industrial revolution, people left their homes in rural areas to get jobs in the city. Major social problems came from this, which caused the development of sociology, so society could hopefully be understood better. These lead to the American (1775) and French (1789) revolutions.

Agents of Socialization

Social groups/institutions that provide the first experiences of socialization.

Sociology

The scientific study of human social life, groups, and societies. (-ology means the study of)

Socialization

The process by which children learn how to behave properly in society, learning what is and isn't acceptable as they become an adult. Begins at birth and continues throughout one's life.

Agent of socialization

Social groups/institutions that provide the first experiences of socialization.

Lessons from Socialization

Basic Socialization: Taking physical care of oneself Socially Accepted Goals: Employment, Marriage Roles and behaviours: How to act given a specific scenario

Basic Socialization

Taking physical care of oneself

Socially Accepted Goals

Employment, Marriage

Roles and behaviours

How to act given a specific scenario

Primary Socialization

Process of learning basic skills required to survive in a society. Ex. Hygiene, Utensils, Appropriate Language, etc. A significant agent of primary socialization is family.

Secondary Socialization

Learning how to behave properly in group situations, such as churches or schools. Agents of secondary socialization include schools and peer groups.

Anticipatory Socialization

Learning how to plan the way you behave in new situations. Ex. Using prior knowledge of certain scenarios or social settings to plan how you dress.

Resocialization

When an individual performs socially unacceptable behaviour and learns how to turn it into new, socially acceptable behaviour. Ex. Criminal released from prison is given an opportunity to practice new behaviour

Maslows Hierarchy of Needs

Physiological needs (Basic need): Food, water, warmth, etc. Safety needs (Basic need): Security, Safety Belongingness and love needs (Psychological need): Friends, intimate relationships Esteem needs (Psychological need): Prestige and feeling of accomplishment Self-actualization (Self-fulfillment need): Achieving one's true potential

Physiological needs (Basic need)

Food, water, warmth, etc.

Safety needs (Basic need)

Security, Safety

Belongingness and love needs (Psychological need)

Friends, intimate relationships

Esteem needs (Psychological need)

Prestige and feeling of accomplishment

Self-actualization (Self-fulfillment need)

Achieving one's true potential

Gender Socialization

Stereotypes and roles that are taught to children as correct. They are taught in the home first before being reinforced by outside agents of socialization. Parents are usually quick to fix any atypical behavior from their children if they do not fit these gender roles.

Auguste Comte

Born 1798, Died 1857. Considered the father of sociology. Proposed and believed in positivism, a way to study society with scientific evidence such as statistics or experiments. Became interested in social order, social static, and social change.

Herbert Spencer

Born 1820, Died 1903. He believed that society operates under fixed laws and that societies evolve from lower to higher forms. Applied the idea of Darwin to society and developed "Social Darwinism". He advocated for "Let the fittest survive".

Karl Marx

Born 1818, Died 1883. Believed that the key to human history is "Class Conflict". Introduced one of the major perspectives: Conflict Perspective.

Emile Durkheim

Born 1858, Died 1917. Wanted to have sociology recognized as a separate academic discipline. He said that people were likely to commit suicide if their ties to society were weak. Identified the key role of social integration in social life.

Max Weber

Born 1864, Died 1920. Used cross-cultural and historical materials to determine how extensively social groups affect people's orientations to life.

Fundamentals of Sociology

Our social world guides our actions and life choices, and human beings require society for their well-being and survival.

School of thought

A way of thinking OR looking at a topic from a specific lens or view (worldview)

Sociological Theories

Structural Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism, Feminist Theory, Queer Theory, and Postmodernist Theory.

Structural Functionalism

Looks at society from a large-scale perspective. Societies are made from lots of connected structures, like a cell, which is created with lots of little structures that need to work together smoothly. Believes that social problems are temporary. Created by Emile Durkheim.

Institutions (Structural Functionalism)

Structures that meet the needs of society. These cause manifest functions, which are the intended consequences of these institutions, and latent functions, which are unintended consequences of the institutions. Ex. schools, military, housing, etc.

Social Facts (Structural Functionalism)

Ways of thinking or acting that existed before any one individual, and will still be there for a very long time. Unique objects that cannot be influenced by an individual and are not noticed until resisted. Ex. Law, faith.

Conflict Theory

Focuses on the inequalities of different groups. This theory states that society would always be in competition with one another. This conflict would eventually bring about change or social progress.

Thesis and Antithesis (Conflict Theory)

Two groups. Thesis - Generally accepted state of society, Antithesis - Opposed the accepted state of society. The thesis wants to keep the status quo, but the antithesis wants to change. The struggle between the two groups would cause a synthesis (compromise). This process can repeat many times after a synthesis.

Symbolic Interactionism

Small-scale view of society that focuses on small interactions with people in a society to explain society and social change. In this theory, people change based on their interactions within society and assign meaning to things to decide how to act. A person's meaning for one object may be different from another, and the meaning of an object can change.

Feminist Theory

Focuses on women and gender equality. Emphasizes a better understanding between men and women in different cultures. Draws knowledge from many different fields and strives to bring awareness and change.

Queer Theory

Questions the basis of all living social categories

Postmodernist Theory

Suggests that society is diverse, pluralistic and constantly in flux

Bystander effect

A social phenomenon that states that the more people there are when something is happening, the less likely the people are to help. However, if one person decides to help, the more likely other people are.

"Diffusion of Responsibility"

An explanation for the bystander effect which states that people are more likely to be a bystander because they think someone else will do something about it. This occurs more in large groups.

Kitty Genovese

Victim of a murder case where 37-38 witnesses allegedly saw the whole murder take place and do nothing about it.

Feral child

A child left on their own with no parents or any humans to interact with

Oxsana (Human dog)

A healthy child that was found acting like a dog after she was put with one for her entire childhood. She could hardly speak and acted more like a dog than a human being. She can talk, but her linguistical development seems to have stopped completely.

Victor

Found by 2 hunters. He couldn't speak when he was found or understand language. When attempting to teach him language, he couldn't learn any of it. However, he understood basic socialization, such as manners and empathy.

Genie

Child left in complete isolation until age 13, when she was taken in by doctor Susan. Unlike the other feral children, she was able to learn basic words, but could not construct sentences. It was found that her Cortex (left side of the brain) was smaller and did not get stimulated properly, preventing her from learning language in its entirety.

Etik

Left and taken care of by dogs. His behaviour was much like a dog's; he would scratch and bite children. It took months for him to learn basic socialization and even though he was 6, his language was that of a 3-year-old (permanently stunted language development).

Taboo

Things in society which are frowned upon, condemned, or made illegal. Taboos make people feel uncomfortable because they aren't openly discussed, or are activities that make people uncomfortable because they are frowned upon by society. Ex. Murder, Incest, Gestures, Body Language.

Ethnocentrism

Seeing things from the perspective of your own culture and believing that your culture is superior to others. What is true of your culture is true of others.

Media

The main means of mass communication, regarded collectively. Ex. broadcasting, publishing, the internet

Mass Media

Media intended to reach the masses of society

Social Media

Computer-mediated technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of expressions (ex. Information and ideas) via virtual communities and networks

Consequences of Mass Media

Significantly affects children and their socialization. Many youths tend to focus on these types of media while their parents do household chores. This may cause children to spend time away from others and may cause socialization problems. Children also may be influenced by TV characters. However, mass media also allows others to connect with people, and is an outlet for creativity and expression.

Advertisements

Form of extremely persuasive mass media. Tell consumers what to wear, how to act, etc.

TV's consequences on children

Watching television and language development are closely related. However, the longer one spends watching TV, the more likely they are to develop academic and health problems (ex. Obesity and trouble speaking).

Video Games (Behaviour)

Has the potential to affect a mass number of youth. Research shows that teens are more social when playing video games and that short-term aggression may happen after gaming.

Entertainment Preference "Dimensions"

Aesthetic: Classical music, art films, poetry
Cerebral: Current events and documentaries
Communal: Music, Comedies, Talk shows
Dark: Heavy metal and horror movies
Thrilling: Thrillers, Science fiction, Action-adventure

Music (effects on behaviour)

Increases important aspects of our biology by increasing the production of certain chemicals. The music a person listens to shapes their behaviour, as many people use music to change their mood. Research shows that violent music may increase the listener's hostility, even in scenarios that show no real threat.

Internet Communication (effects on behaviour)

47% of participants in a 2010 survey claimed that they were addicted to their email, and 60% said they checked their email on vacation. People do not communicate over e-mail as well. Emotions are lost in emails due to a lack of body language.

Cyber Identity

The way we identify ourselves to others online. Anonymity and invisibility disconnect cyber identities from real identities and are usually misinterpretations of a person's life.

Deindividualization

Loss of identity when immersed in a group environment.

Dramaturgy

The idea that whatever we do, we are always playing some role in the stage of life; a never-ending play where people are actors. When we are born, we are on a stage called Everyday Life, and how we learn to act on stage is a result of socialization. When interacting with others, they enact their roles in socialization while you enact yours.

Only Child

Receives 200% attention from parents. May become the rival of one parent and can become over-protected and spoiled. Likes being the center of adult attention and generally has difficulty sharing. Prefers adult company + language.

Oldest Child

Dethroned by next child. Has to learn to share. Parent expectations are very high, as they are given responsibility and are expected to set an example. May become authoritarian or strict but can be helpful if encouraged. May turn to the father after the birth of the next child.

Second Child

Has a "pacemaker" as there is always someone ahead. More competitive; wants to overtake older child.

Middle Child

"Sandwiched" in birth order. May feel squeezed out of a position of privilege and significance. May become ill-tempered and have trouble finding a place.

Youngest Child

Has many mothers and fathers. Older children try to educate them. Wants to be bigger than the others and have huge plans that never work out. Constantly spoiled.

Twin

One is usually seen as stronger or more active than the other. Parents may see one as older. May develop identity problems or leadership skills.

"Ghost child"

Child born after the death of the first child. The mother may become over-protective and used by the child or may rebel against being compared to an "idealized" memory.

Adopted child

Parents may spoil the child and might try to compensate for the lack of biological parents. Child may become spoiled and demanding, may resent or idealize their parents.

Alfred Alder

Created the birth order characteristics.

Criminology

Study of the nature, extent, and cause of criminal behaviour. Body of knowledge regarding crime as a social phenomenon.

Old Criminology

Used skull shapes and body types to explain criminal behaviour

Serial Killer

Someone who kills more than 3 people over a period of time

Classical Criminology

People will freely choose criminal or unlawful activities to meet needs or settle problems Criminal choices may be more attractive due to less work for a greater payoff People's choice of criminal solutions may be controlled by their fear of punishment If punishments are certain, severe, and swift, they will avoid criminal behaviour

Rational Choice Theory

Criminal activity is a rational choice made by a motivated offender who perceives the chances of gain to outweigh the punishments. Crime is a function of a decision-making process. People are more likely to break the law because of excitement, lack of inhibition, low conformity stake, or are willing to take more chances compared to the average person. Only irrational people will commit crimes in this view because rational people would be convinced of severe punishment.

Routine Activities Theory

Crime is a function of routine activities of modern living Offences occur when a target is not protected by capable guardians, criminals shy away from targets who are perceived to be armed and dangerous "Guardians" include security systems or cameras Crime occurs when 3 conditions are met (Accessible target, Absence of capable guardians, and a motivated offender)

Social Disorganization Theory

Disorganized area where one of the major social institutions cannot carry out their functions Cultural conflict, lack of cohesiveness, and constant neighbour turnover leads to weak communication and blocks attempts at resolving neighbourhood problems Lack of support leads to crime as the only option for success, leading to gangs

Social Learning Theory

Behaviour is modelled through observation of human interaction, either directly through others or indirectly through media Rewarded interactions are copied and punished interactions are avoided

Labelling Theory

People often take labels given to them in a society Some labels are positive, while others are negative Turns to others with a stigma for companionship

Neutralization Theory

When a person commits a crime because they have "neutralized" (justified) some aspect of the act There are 5 things they do: Deny responsibility, injury, the victim, condemn the condemners, and appeal to higher loyalties

Macdonald Triad

The idea that there are three signs that someone will grow up to become a violent criminal or serial killer. These include being cruel to animals, setting fire to objects or committing minor acts of arson, and wetting the bed.

General Deterrence

Crime control policy that depends on the fear of criminal penalties, such as large fines or jail time.

Crime Displacement

A phenomenon where police increase their presence in one area and crime happens in the surrounding areas. The scope of crime becomes bigger.

Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo

Paul was the Scarborough rapist and killed 4 women. He was sentenced to life with parole but was deemed too dangerous to be released back into society. His wife, Karla, was sentenced to 12 years for manslaughter.

Harold Frederick Shipman

Doctor who was estimated to have killed around 250 people. His youngest confirmed victim was a 41-year-old man, although "significant suspicion" rose with his patients as young as 4. He forged death records and wills and was eventually caught due to a poorly forged will.

John Wayne Gacy

Worked as a clown. Murdered 25 victims, although the numbers go as high as 33. He was sentenced to death.

Robert Pickton

Killed 6-49 people. He used a pig farm to dispose of the bodies and targeted prostitutes. He "wanted it to be 50" (victim count).

Ted Bundy

Murdered and raped at least 30 women in the 1970s. He was sentenced to death and killed in 1989.

Colonel Russell Williams

Killed 2 women. Broke into homes, stole women's underwear, and took photos in it. Has at least 82 break and enter charges. Was sentenced to life in prison. Member of the Canadian Air Force.

3 Views of religion

Creationist, Atheist, Agnostic

Creationist

Believed a god or gods created the Earth