Sociological Perspectives and Research Methods Study Guide

Functionalism

Functionalism

Society functions as a whole with interdependent parts.

Collective Conscience

Shared beliefs and values that unify society.

Durkheim

Sociologist who studied socialization and suicide.

Socialization

Process where institutions shape individuals in society.

Parsons

Sociologist emphasizing social order and conformity.

Meritocracy

Society where success is based on merit and talent.

Davis and Moore

Studied occupational stratification and meritocracy.

Goldthorpe

Examined social class distinctions among workers.

Nuclear Family

Family structure consisting of two parents and children.

Murdock

Identified four universal functions of family.

Primary Socialization

Initial learning of norms and values in childhood.

Quantitative Data

Numerical data used for statistical analysis.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive data providing insights into social phenomena.

Conflict Theory

Focuses on inequality and class struggle in society.

Marxism

Theoretical framework emphasizing economic class conflict.

Neo-Marxism

Revised Marxist theory focusing on ideological change.

Althusser

Neo-Marxist who emphasized ideological state apparatuses.

Poulantzas

Argued complexity of class beyond Marx's proletariat.

Engels

Analyzed gender roles in capitalist societies.

Feminist Theory

Examines women's roles and inequalities in society.

Hochschild

Studied women's 'second shift' at home.

Oakley

Challenged universality of nuclear family concept.

Stratification

Hierarchical arrangement of social classes in society.

Social Classes

Groups in society based on economic status.

Secondary Data

Data collected from existing sources for analysis.

Empirical Evidence

Information acquired by observation or experimentation.

Determinism

Theory that behavior is determined by external factors.

Status Quo

Existing state of affairs in society.

Ideological Revolution

Change in societal values rather than economic structure.

Ortner's Theory

Women devalued for natural functions like childbirth.

McRobbie's Analysis

Stereotypes of women in glossy magazines identified.

Symbolic Interactionism

Focuses on individual interactions rather than groups.

George Herbert Mead

Co-founder of symbolic interactionism; studied self-concept.

Charles H. Cooley

Developed the looking-glass self concept.

Goffman's Dramaturgy

Individuals perform social roles like actors.

Post-Modern Perspective

Challenges metanarratives; promotes relativism in society.

Lyotard's Challenge

Critiques overarching narratives in philosophy and history.

Baudrillard's Hyper-Reality

Mass media blurs lines between reality and fiction.

Judith Stacey's Study

Found stability in alternative family structures.

New Right Perspective

Attributes societal problems to nuclear family deviations.

Charles Murray's View

Breakdown of family leads to social issues.

Hochschild's Methods

Used interviews and observations in pluralistic research.

Zimbardo's Experiment

Stanford Prison Experiment; studied behavior in roles.

Survey Research

Systematic data collection via questionnaires.

Advantages of Surveys

Quick, cheap, and can generalize findings.

Disadvantages of Surveys

Loss of depth; respondents may lie.

Open-Ended Questionnaires

Allow detailed, qualitative responses from participants.

Closed-Ended Questionnaires

Limit responses to predefined options.

Structured Interviews

Same questions for all; higher reliability.

Unstructured Interviews

Flexible questions; build rapport with participants.

Goldthorpe's Research

Studied social mobility using over 10,000 questionnaires.

Willis' Interviews

Explored sub-cultural norms in working-class schools.

Barker's Study

Questionnaires used with the 'Moonies' group.

Parsons' Research

Investigated college plans of Boston school boys.

Hochschild (1989)

Study on women's second shift in married relationships.

Overt Observation

Researcher observes participants in their natural environment.

Covert Observation

Researcher observes without participants' knowledge.

Hawthorne Effect

Participants change behavior due to being observed.

Validity

Accuracy of findings in representing reality.

James Patrick's Study

Covert study of Glasgow gangs by joining them.

Statistical Abstract

Source of existing government data for research.

Murray's Review

Examined family structure statistics related to crime.

Murdock's Study

Reviewed 250 societies for nuclear family universality.

Milgram's Experiment

Lab experiment studying obedience to authority.

Jane Elliot's Experiment

Field experiment on discrimination among 4th graders.

Baron-Cohen's Study

Lab experiment on autism and theory of mind.

Bandura's Imitation Study

Lab experiment on children's imitation of aggression.

Case Studies

In-depth studies of individuals in natural settings.

Willis's Case Study

Examined marginal groups in schools, 'Lads' study.

Freud's Case Study

Analyzed phobia treatment in child, 'Little Hans.'

Content Analysis

Analyzing media content for patterns and themes.

Functionalist View

Socialization stabilizes nuclear family structure.

Marxist View

Socialization maintains ruling class dominance.

Feminist View

Women socialized to be subordinate in society.

Interactionist View

Focus on individual responses to socialization.

Cooley's Looking-Glass Self

Self-concept developed through social interactions.

Blumer's Role Choice

Individuals actively choose their societal roles.