Social Theory Exam

Classes

people who share a similar set of economic interest

Bourgeoise

capitalist economy who own business and employs people they are the dominant class

Proletariat

Class that works in exchange for money they are the exploited class

Social facts

the rules and regularities of everyday life that every human community has

Interpretive sociology

meanings that individuals ascribe to their actions

Class Struggles

classes of people who are treated differently economically are going to be in conflict

Capital

money or other assets that can be used for business investments

mechanic solidarity

The factors that hold primitive societies together, mostly through family and kinship ties.

Calhoun’s four major changes

rise of individualism

rise of modern states

the development of large scale markets, capitalism, and modern industry

European exploration

Marx’s concept of alienation

explains how workers in capitalist societies become disconnected from their work, themselves, and others

Social norms

Basic rules in society that help us know what is and is not appropriate to do in a situation

Folkways

standards of behavior that are socially acceptable but not morally significant (greeting people, holding the door)

Mores

Strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior. Violating these will lead to a judgment about moral character (stealing, lying under oath, dui)

Taboos

strict norms that our society holds to strictly, resulting in excommunication (murder punishable by death)

Fatalistic Suicide

suicides that result from too much social control, they feel trapped, oppressed, or controlled, and have no hope for change (a prisoner serving a long sentence with no hope of release )

Egoistic Suicide

suicides that result from those who have few social connections, feel isolated, or are alone (an elderly person who loses their spouse and feels disconnected from life)

Altruistic Suicide

When someone takes their own life for the benefit of others or because they feel that it is their duty to a group (soldiers sacrificing themselves to save others in a war)

Anomic Suicide

suicides that occur as a result of rapid social change (lottery winners, not knowing how to handle such a change)

Power and authority+key differences

Power is a person’s ability to achieve his or her objective, even if someone else tries to prevent it. While authority is the capcacity to to get people to do things because they believe they should follow the commands of those above them. The key difference is that power forces people to obey, while authority is when people willingly obey because they see the person’s position as legitimate.

Legal rational authority

Rules and laws are legitimate, and those in authority have the right to give commands (a judge making a court decision)

Traditional authority

power based on customs, traditions, and long-standing practices. People obey because its how things have always been (kings and queens inheriting power)

Charismatic Authority

Authority based on a leader’s personality, charm, or qualities. People follow because they believe in the leader personally (mlk, leader or activist)

W.E.B Du Bois Double Consciousness

dual mirror, looking at oneself through the eyes of another person (black people having to be both American and black while being aware of how white society views them negatively)

W.E.B. Du Bois The Veil

metaphor used to describe the separation between black and white Americans. Racial inequality, social separation, and lack of understanding between races

Charlotte Perkins Gilman challenges faced by women

Explores these challenges in the 19th century in The Yellow Wallpaper, showing the different ways women’s lives and mental health are negatively affected

Patriarchal Control

John makes all of the decisions for her and doesn’t pay attention to her feelings

Gender roles were limiting

The woman is trapped at home expected to rest instead of working and socializing

Lack of autonomy

Since the woman has no control over her mental health getting worse, and she breaks down