Sociology Final Exam

Sociology

The systematic study of human society using scientific methods and a social focus

Micro Sociology

The study of small-scale, face-to-face interactions between individuals

Macro Sociology

The study of large-scale social structures, institutions, and societal patterns

Structural Functionalism

Theoretical perspective viewing society as a stable, interdependent system

Conflict Theory

Theoretical perspective viewing society as marked by inequality and competition for resources

Symbolic Interactionism

Theoretical perspective viewing society as constructed through personal interactions and meanings

Independent Variable

Variable that causes a change in another variable

Dependent Variable

Variable that is affected by the independent variable

Positivist Sociology

Scientific approach to study society objectively, identifying cause and effect

Interpretive Sociology

Focuses on understanding the meanings people attach to their social world

Critical Sociology

Focuses on inequality and social change, critiques the status quo

Culture

Shared beliefs, values, norms, and practices of a group of people

Material Culture

Physical objects created by society

Nonmaterial Culture

Ideas, beliefs, norms, and values of a society

Ethnocentrism

Evaluating another culture based on one’s own cultural standards

Cultural Relativism

Assessing a culture based on its own standards

Cultural Shock

Disorientation when experiencing an unfamiliar culture

Subculture

A smaller cultural group within a larger culture with its own distinctive patterns

Counterculture

A group whose cultural patterns oppose the dominant culture

Status

A social position a person occupies

Ascribed Status

A status assigned at birth or involuntarily later in life

Achieved Status

A status earned through individual effort

Role

Behavior expected of someone holding a particular status

Role Conflict

Tension between roles connected to different statuses

Role Strain

Tension among roles connected to a single status

Cooley’s Looking Glass Self

We develop self-image based on how we imagine others perceive us

Mead’s Preparatory Stage

Stage of development where children imitate others

Mead’s Play Stage

Stage of development where children take on one role at a time

Mead’s Game Stage

Stage of development where children understand multiple roles at once

Agents of Socialization

Groups or individuals who teach norms, values, and social roles

Deviance

Behavior that violates social norms

Labeling Theory

Perspective that deviance is the result of society labeling certain behaviors as deviant

Stigma

A negative social label that changes a person’s self-concept

White-Collar Crime

Crime committed by people of high social position in the course of their occupation

Social Stratification

The ranking of people into social layers or hierarchies

Caste System

Rigid social stratification based on birth

Class System

Stratification based on wealth and achieved status with some social mobility

Davis-Moore Thesis

Functionalist idea that inequality is necessary to motivate people to fill important roles

Marx’s View of Class

Society divided into owners (bourgeoisie) and workers (proletariat)

Weber’s View of Class

Class, status, and power all contribute to inequality

Poverty Line

Minimum income needed to meet basic needs

Minority Group

A group with less power, not necessarily fewer numbers

Vicious Cycle of Prejudice

Prejudice → Discrimination → Social Disadvantage → Reinforces Prejudice

Intersectionality

Interconnected social categories such as race, gender, and class affecting discrimination

Which sociological perspective focuses on large-scale social structures and their functions?

Structural Functionalism

According to conflict theory, who defines deviance in society?

Those in power

A child who imitates adults without understanding their roles is in which stage of development?

Preparatory Stage

Which type of society relies primarily on hunting and gathering?

Preindustrial Hunter-Gatherer Society

Which concept refers to a social position a person occupies that comes with rights and obligations?

Status

Role conflict occurs when

Demands of two or more statuses clash

Which of the following is an example of a counterculture?

A group actively protesting mainstream cultural norms

Which of the following is NOT a principle of social stratification?

It is based on individual differences only

Which theorist emphasized that teacher expectations can create self-fulfilling prophecies?

Rosenthal & Jacobson

Sex

Biological differences between males and females

Gender

Socially constructed roles, behaviors, and traits associated with being male or female

Gender Identity

One’s internal sense of being male, female, or another gender

Sexual Orientation

A person’s pattern of physical, emotional, and sexual attraction

Heteronormativity

Assumption that heterosexuality is the norm

Feminism

Advocacy for social equality between genders

Family of Orientation

Family a person is born into

Family of Procreation

Family formed through marriage or childbearing

Nuclear Family

Two parents and their children living together

Extended Family

Includes relatives beyond the nuclear family, like grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins

Blended Family

A family with step-parents or children from previous relationships

Arranged Marriage

Marriage involving family selection or influence

Romantic Marriage

Marriage based on personal choice and love

Same-Sex Marriage

Legal nationwide after Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

Divorce Rate in the US

Approximately 40% of marriages

Hidden Curriculum

Informal lessons taught in schools that reinforce societal norms

Tracking in Education

Assigning students to different educational paths based on perceived ability

Sick Role (Parsons)

Rights and obligations of individuals who are sick

Universal Healthcare

A system in which all citizens have access to healthcare regardless of ability to pay

Redemptive Social Movement

A movement aiming to change individuals completely

Reformative Social Movement

A movement seeking to change specific aspects of society

Which of the following is an example of gender socialization by peers?

A child being teased for playing with toys associated with the opposite gender

Which feminist concern is highlighted by the gender wage gap?

Economic inequality between men and women

The US healthcare system differs from universal systems primarily because

It is largely privatized and expensive

Which type of social movement seeks partial change in society?

Reformative Movement

According to symbolic interactionism, teacher expectations affect student performance by

Shaping student self-concepts (self-fulfilling prophecy)

Which family form includes step-parents or children from previous relationships?

Blended Family

Social Mobility

The ability to move up or down the social hierarchy

Horizontal Mobility

Movement within the same social class

Vertical Mobility

Movement to a higher or lower social class

Intragenerational Mobility

Change in social status within a person’s lifetime

Intergenerational Mobility

Change in social status between generations

Meritocracy

System where social position is based on ability and achievement

Absolute Poverty

Lack of resources to meet basic needs for survival

Relative Poverty

Lack of resources compared to others in society

Social Control

Ways society regulates behavior to maintain order

Formal Social Control

Rules enforced by authority (laws, regulations)

Informal Social Control

Social norms enforced by family, peers, or community

Deviance vs Crime

Deviance is norm violation, crime is law violation

Durkheim’s Theory of Deviance

Deviance is functional

Which of the following is an example of formal social control?

A police officer issuing a ticket

Which of the following demonstrates informal social control?

A friend criticizing you for rude behavior

Which sociological perspective emphasizes that deviance is necessary for society?

Functionalism

Which perspective highlights power differences in defining deviance?

Conflict Theory

Labeling Theory suggests that

Society’s labels can influence individuals to act deviant

Urbanization

The growth of cities and migration from rural areas

Industrialization

Shift from agriculture to manufacturing and industry