week 3

theory

A set of ideas used to explain how or why certain social patterns occur.

theoretical perspectives

Groups of theories that share much in common

conflict theory/conflict perspective

Tensions and conflicts arise when resources, status, and power are not distributed equitably; these conflicts then become the driving force for social change.

macro level of analysis

Focuses on the overall social structure of society and large-scale societal forces.

bourgeoisie

the rich owners of the means of production (the technology and materials needed to produce products, such as factories)

lumpenproletariat

lowest, marginalized class of outcasts in society who live outside normal economic production. (homeless ppl, perpectually employed ppl)

proletariat

the poor workers (in the factories, etc.)

alienation

A theoretical concept to describe isolating, dehumanizing, and disenchanting effects of working within a capitalist system of production.

means of production

The technology and materials needed to produce products.

false consciousness

Marx’s theory that the proletariat did not understand how they were being mistreated and misled by the owners of the means of production.

true consciousness

When the proletariat are no longer in false consciousness and are aware of how they are being mistreated and misled.

social institutions

Sets of statuses and roles that focus on one central aspect of society.

seven primary social institutions

family, religion, economy, education, government, health care, and media

manifest functions

Obvious and stated reasons that a social institution exists. (family institution = reproduce & socialize children)

latent functions

Unintended consequences of an institution. family institution = help the economic institution when they purchase food or school supplies or pay rent or buy a house, but it is no their main/manifest function)

dysfunctions

unintended negative consequences of behavioral patterns (interstate highway; better w

social solidarity

the unwritten rules and values that govern societies and unite their members

organic solidarity

solidarity where societies operate like a living organism, each part specializing on certain tasks but depending on each other for survival

mechanical solidarity

Social cohesion based on shared beliefs, values, and similarities among people, rather than on their differences or specialized roles.

symbolic interactionism

modern societies as consisting of interdependent parts working together for the good of the whole

micro level of analysis

Focuses on either an individual or small groups.

What is theory? What is the difference between a theory and a theoretical perspective?

theories - A set of ideas used to explain how or why certain social patterns occur; explanations for various social patterns within society.

Groups of theories that share much in common are what sociologists call theoretical perspectives.

How does the sort of everyday theorizing that people do differ from how sociologists use theory?

everyday theorizing is informal and often based on personal experience, while sociological theory is systematic, evidence-based, and designed to explain broader social patterns.

Why is theory important in sociology?

• make sense of social patterns and explain why things happen in society

• develop questions and hypotheses that can be tested through research

What is structural functionalism? How do structural functionalists tend to view the world? What is their level of analysis (e.g., macro or micro)?

• sees society as a system of interconnected parts that work together to maintain stability and order

• view society as generally stable and orderly, with social institutions serving important functions.

• level of analysis is macro-level

Which key thinkers are associated with structural functionalism?

Émile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, and Robert K. Merton

What types of questions are structural functionalists interested in answering and what are they trying to explain about the world?

• how society maintains stability and order

• how its different parts work together

• how social institutions contribute to the functioning of society

Why was Emile Durkheim so concerned with social solidarity, or the moral order of society?

• believed that social solidarity holds society together

• concerned that rapid social change and modernization could weaken the shared norms and values that create social cohesion, leading to disorder and instability

What is the difference between mechanical and organic solidarity?

_______ solidarity: Social cohesion based on shared beliefs, values, and similarities. Common in smaller, traditional societies. (SIMILARITY)

_______ solidarity: Social cohesion based on interdependence and the division of labor. Common in larger, more modern societies. (INDEPENDENCE)

What is a social institution? What do structural functionalists see as the role of institutions in society?

A social institution is an established pattern of behavior organized around meeting important social needs. Structural functionalists see institutions as interconnected parts of society that perform functions and help maintain social stability and order.

What are the seven primary social institutions that tend to be present in any given society?

• Family

• Education

• Religion

• Government

• Economy

• Health care

• Media

Why are statuses and roles important in terms of social institutions? Can you identify examples of statuses and roles in each of the major institutions?

Statuses are social positions people occupy, while roles are the behaviors expected of people in those positions. They are important because they organize social life and help institutions function.

• Family: parent → caregiver; child → dependent

• Education: teacher → instructor; student → learner

• Religion: priest/clergy → religious leader; worshipper → participant

• Government: elected official → policymaker; citizen → voter

• Economy: employer → manager; employee → worker

• Health care: doctor → provider; patient → recipient of care

• Media: journalist → reporter; audience member → consumer

How do latent functions help bind social institutions together?

Latent functions are unintended or unrecognized consequences of social institutions. They help bind institutions together by creating connections and relationships between different parts of society, contributing to social stability and cohesion.

Whats the difference between structural functions and symbolic interactionism

• Looks at society as a whole and how its institutions and parts work together to maintain stability Macro

• Looks at everyday interactions and how people create and interpret meanings through symbols. Micro

• Functionalism = big picture 🏙
  Interactionism = everyday interactions 🗣

What is a conflict perspective? How do conflict theorists tend to view the world? What is their level of analysis (e.g., macro or micro)?

The conflict perspective focuses on inequality, power, and competition over scarce resources. Conflict theorists tend to view society as characterized by conflict between groups with different interests, rather than consensus. Their level of analysis is macro-level.

What questions are conflict theorists trying to answer and what are they trying to explain about the world?

Conflict theorists ask who benefits from the way society is organized, who has power, and how inequality is created and maintained. They try to explain conflict, inequality, and competition between groups over resources and power.

Which key thinkers are associated with the conflict perspective?

Karl Marx, W. E. B. Du Bois, and C. Wright Mills.

Most more modern conflict theorists argue that oppression is not only economic in nature. Social rewards and disadvantages can also be unequally allocated along what other lines of difference? (Besides economic class, what other factors can create inequality?)

• Race

• Gender

• Sexuality

• Age

• Other social characteristics

From a conflict perspective, how do the “haves” control or coerce the “have nots”? Hint: Think about how other institutions might work together to oppress people.

The “haves” use their power and control over social institutions (such as government, the economy, education, and the media) to maintain their advantages and limit the opportunities of the “have nots.”

What are some of the limitations or criticisms of conflict theory?

Conflict theory can overemphasize conflict and inequality and underemphasize cooperation, stability, and shared values in society. It can also focus too much on economic inequality and overlook other factors that shape social life.

Chapter 1 of The Employable Sociologist identifies three major problems related to higher education and Sociology. What are they?

1. Cost versus benefit: Higher education is becoming more expensive, while the financial return of a degree is less certain.

2. The purpose of the university: Universities are being questioned about their purpose, value, and ability to prepare students for modern society and the workforce.

3. The potential use of Sociology in the workplace: Sociology students often struggle to understand how their skills and knowledge can be applied to careers and communicated to employers.

How is “employability” defined in The Employable Sociologist? Why does Dr. Martinez see employability as a potential antidote to the major concerns facing higher education and sociology today?

Employability = the ability to start, develop, manage, and change careers that fit your goals. It helps Sociology students turn their identity, transferable skills, and sociological knowledge into practical career opportunities.

How does The Employable Sociologist define a “professional identity” as distinct from our other forms of identity? Can you recognize the six key components of a strong professional identity, as described on p. 18?

A professional identity is a particular type of identity defined as a work-related sense of self. It combines your knowledge, skills, and values from Sociology with your personal characteristics, interests, and goals.

Six components of a strong professional identity:

1. Public and personal recognition of a legitimate professional identity

2. Mastery of knowledge, skills, values, and ideologies of the discipline and their application

3. Reconciliation of personal values with those of the discipline and future workplaces/jobs

4. Sense of responsibility and purpose

5. Sense of membership and understanding of relationships and community

6. Knowledge of jobs, careers, organizations, and industries where you could work, including their culture

Easy way to remember:
Recognition → Mastery → Values → Purpose → Membership → Career knowledge

What does the book argue distinguishes a “sociological point of view” from other perspectives?

A sociological point of view is based on how sociologists understand the nature of the world, knowledge, and people. Sociologists tend to see the world as socially created and complex, knowledge as incomplete and evolving, and people’s behavior and perspectives as shaped by their social relationships and positions.

Chapter 2 defines several possible “action orientations” for undergraduates. Please review those orientations, and then identify which orientations most motivate you in the current or future work you want to do.

The action orientations that most motivate me are advocate, communicator, artist, and reformer/improver. I am interested in using sociological knowledge to understand social issues, communicate ideas to others, create things, and help improve problems in society.

Chapter 2 of The Employable Sociologist ends with a discussion of four major vulnerabilities of sociologists. Can you explain those?

• Overly idealistic – sociologists can have unrealistic expectations about how society should work or change.

• Oversocialized worldview – they may focus so much on social forces that they overlook individual choice and agency.

• Guilt over privilege and power – sociologists may become overly focused on their own privilege and power.

• Analyzing instead of acting – they can spend too much time analyzing social problems instead of taking action to address them.