Introduction to Sociology

Flashcards derived from lecture notes covering key concepts in sociology, including definitions, theories, and influential sociologists.

What is sociology?

The scientific and systematic study of groups, group interactions, societies, and social interactions.

What are the two levels of analysis in sociology?

Micro-level, which studies small groups and interactions, and macro-level, which looks at trends among large groups.

What does the term 'culture' refer to in sociology?

A group's shared practices, values, and beliefs that encompass their way of life.

What is sociological imagination?

The awareness of the relationship between a person's behavior and the wider culture that shapes choices and perceptions.

Who is associated with the concept of 'figuration' in sociology?

Norbert Elias, who emphasized the simultaneous analysis of individual behavior and societal influences.

What is structural functionalism?

A macro-level theory that views society as a complex structure with interrelated parts that function together.

What is conflict theory?

A macro-level theory that sees society as a competition for limited resources among different social classes.

Who coined the term sociology?

Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès was the first to use the term in 1780, but Auguste Comte reintroduced it in 1838.

What is the 'looking-glass self'?

Charles Horton Cooley's concept that individuals shape their self-perceptions based on how others perceive them.

What is a manifest function?

The intended and recognized consequences of a social process.

What is a latent function?

The unintended and unrecognized consequences of a social process.

What does the term 'reification' mean in sociology?

Treating an abstract concept, such as culture, as though it has a real, material existence.

What is public sociology?

A branch of sociology focused on bringing sociological dialogue to public forums and addressing social issues.

What is qualitative sociology?

A method that seeks to understand human behavior through in-depth interviews, focus groups, and content analysis.

What does the term 'social facts' refer to?

Laws, morals, values, customs that govern social life and influence individuals in a society.

Who is known for studying the impacts of social integration on suicide rates?

Émile Durkheim, who analyzed how societal factors influence individual behavior.

What did W.E.B. Du Bois contribute to sociology?

He pioneered empirical research methods in sociology, focusing on the African American community.

What is the significance of the 'doll test' conducted by the Clarks?

It demonstrated that segregation generated feelings of inferiority in Black children.

What is symbolic interactionism?

A micro-level theory that focuses on how individuals create meanings through interactions, symbols, and language.

What is a key criticism of structural functionalism?

It cannot adequately explain social change.

What does the term 'critical theory' encompass?

A broad perspective that critiques societal structures and advocates for social change, rooted in Marxist thought.