sociology final

1. What is Social Change?

Social change refers to significant alterations in the social structure, institutions, relationships, and cultural patterns within a society over time. It includes changes in values, norms, behaviors, and societal organization.

2. What is Relative Deprivation?

Relative deprivation refers to the perception or feeling that one is disadvantaged compared to others in society, leading to feelings of injustice or dissatisfaction, even if they are not necessarily in absolute poverty.

What is False Consciousness?

False consciousness is a concept developed by Karl Marx, referring to the way in which social groups are misled about their true social and economic interests, often due to ideology or dominant cultural narratives that obscure their real conditions.

What is Evolutionary Theory?

Evolutionary theory in social change posits that societies evolve in a linear or progressive manner, similar to biological evolution. It suggests that societies develop in stages, gradually improving over time.

3. How did these thinkers view social change?

• Charles Darwin: Viewed social change through the lens of evolution, focusing on the survival of the fittest. His ideas influenced social Darwinism, suggesting societies evolve like species, with the strongest prevailing.

• William F. Ogburn: Focused on cultural lag, the time it takes for non-material culture (ideas, beliefs) to catch up with changes in material culture (technology, inventions).

• Auguste Comte: Emphasized positivism and the idea that societies evolve through predictable stages—Theological, Metaphysical, and Positive—where scientific reasoning replaced religious explanations.

• Emile Durkheim: Saw social change in terms of the division of labor, where societies evolve from mechanical solidarity (based on similarities) to organic solidarity (based on interdependence).

• Thorsten Veblen: Focused on the role of technology and consumption in social change. He theorized that economic systems influence social structures and behaviors.

• Talcott Parsons: Proposed that social systems evolve toward greater stability and integration, where various parts of society work together harmoniously.

• Immanuel Wallerstein: Developed the World-Systems Theory, which suggests that the world’s economic system is structured in a way that divides countries into core, semi-periphery, and periphery, leading to different rates of social change.

4. What is the Equilibrium Model of social change?

The equilibrium model, often associated with functionalism, suggests that social change is a gradual and adaptive process where different parts of society adjust to maintain stability and equilibrium.

5. What is Social Differentiation?

Social differentiation refers to the process by which a society or group becomes more specialized and segmented, with different roles, statuses, or categories emerging over time (e.g., occupational, ethnic, or gender differentiation).

6. What is Resource Mobilization?

Resource mobilization refers to the process by which social movements gather and use resources (such as money, volunteers, or organizational support) to achieve their goals.

7. What is Technology?

Technology refers to the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry, leading to the development of tools, machines, and processes that improve human life and productivity.

8. What is Genetic Engineering?

Genetic engineering is the manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology to modify or create new traits in the organism, often for medical, agricultural, or industrial purposes.

9. What is Biotechnology?

Biotechnology involves the use of living organisms or biological systems to develop products or processes for specific uses, such as medicine, agriculture, or environmental management.

10. What is Adaptive Upgrading?

Adaptive upgrading refers to the process by which an individual, organization, or society improves its capacity to function and adapt in response to changing environmental or social conditions.

11. What is Karl Marx’s view of Social Change?

Karl Marx believed that social change is driven by class struggle, particularly between the proletariat (working class) and the bourgeoisie (capitalist class). He saw social change as a result of economic forces and the overthrow of the capitalist system, leading to a classless society.

12. What does the term “vested interest” mean?

A vested interest refers to a personal or financial stake in a particular outcome or situation, often motivating individuals or groups to protect or promote their own benefits.

13. What is “Cultural Lag”?

Cultural lag, a term coined by William Fielding Ogburn, refers to the phenomenon where non-material culture (values, beliefs) takes longer to adapt to changes in material culture (technology, inventions).

14. Who were the Luddites? Who are the “Neo-Luddites”?

The Luddites were 19th-century English workers who destroyed machines in protest against technological unemployment and the negative impacts of industrialization. Neo-Luddites today are individuals or groups who oppose or criticize modern technological advancements, especially in biotechnology and automation.

16. How did the Internet evolve?

The Internet evolved from military research networks like ARPANET in the 1960s to a global communication system, driven by innovations in computer networking, the development of protocols like TCP/IP, and widespread access to personal computers and mobile devices.

17. What is Offshoring?

Offshoring is the practice of relocating business operations, such as manufacturing or services, to countries where labor and production costs are lower.

19. What is the Anti-biotech Movement?

The anti-biotech movement is a social movement that opposes the use of biotechnology, particularly genetic modification, due to concerns over environmental impacts, ethical issues, and health risks.

20. What is “Frankenfood”?

"Frankenfood" is a pejorative term used to describe genetically modified (GM) food, highlighting concerns about potential risks, safety, and ethical implications of altering food through biotechnology.

21. Who developed Chaos Theory?

Chaos theory was developed by mathematician Edward Lorenz in the 1960s, which explains how small changes in initial conditions can lead to vastly different outcomes, emphasizing the complexity and unpredictability in systems.

22. What was the Industrial Revolution?

The Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18th century, was a period of rapid industrialization and technological advancements, transforming economies from agrarian to industrial and changing society in significant ways.

23. What is the Age of Information?

The Age of Information, also known as the Information Age, is a period marked by the rapid growth of information technology and digital communication, leading to the spread of knowledge and transformation in business, education, and society.

24. What are Social Movements? What are New Social Movements?

Social movements are collective efforts aimed at promoting or resisting change in society. New social movements are movements that emerged in the late 20th century, focusing on issues like human rights, environmentalism, and identity politics, often with a focus on cultural rather than economic change.

25. What are Social Networking Sites?

Social networking sites are online platforms that allow users to create profiles, interact, and share content with others. Examples include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

26. What is Transnational Activism?

Transnational activism refers to social movements and advocacy that operate across national boundaries, often focusing on global issues like climate change, human rights, or labor rights.

27. Who is Ralf Dahrendorf? What is his view of social change?

Ralf Dahrendorf was a sociologist who argued that social change is driven by conflict between different social groups. Unlike Marx, Dahrendorf believed that social change results from both internal and external tensions within societies.

28. What is Cloning?

Cloning is the process of creating a genetically identical copy of an organism, cell, or gene, either through natural reproduction or through biotechnology techniques like somatic cell nuclear transfer.

29. Who is Randall Collins? What did he predict about the Soviet Union?

Randall Collins was a sociologist who predicted that the Soviet Union would collapse due to internal contradictions, including the failure to innovate and adapt, which ultimately happened with its dissolution in 1991.

30. Who are the Urban Amish?

The Urban Amish are individuals or communities who maintain traditional Amish beliefs and practices but adapt them to modern urban environments, often balancing their faith with necessary interactions with modern technology.

31. What is the Electronic Communications Privacy Act?

The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) is a U.S. law that regulates government access to private electronic communications, ensuring protection against unauthorized surveillance.

32. What is the USA Patriot Act?

The USA Patriot Act is a U.S. law enacted after the 9/11 attacks, aimed at strengthening national security by expanding surveillance powers and law enforcement's ability to combat terrorism.

33. What right does the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution cover?

The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government, ensuring a right to privacy.

34. What is Material Culture? What is Non-Material Culture?

Material culture refers to the physical objects, artifacts, and structures created by a society, while non-material culture includes intangible elements like beliefs, values, norms, and language.

35. What is Outsourcing?

Outsourcing is the practice of hiring external organizations or workers to handle certain business functions or services, often to reduce costs.

36. What information is provided in the Contours of Communication table in this chapter?

This table likely outlines various forms of communication (e.g., traditional media, digital platforms, etc.) and their effects on social interactions, societal norms, or changes.

37. Who is Maureen Hallinan? How did she view social change?

Maureen Hallinan is a sociologist who studied the effects of education on social change. She viewed educational institutions as key drivers in social change by promoting equality, social mobility, and societal transformation.

38. Talcott Parsons’ Four processes of social change

Parsons identified four key processes in social change: adaptation, differentiation, inclusion, and value generalization, which he believed were necessary for societies to maintain stability while undergoing change.

39. How does the Table, A Changing Nation, highlight women and men in the workforce?

This table likely shows the changing roles and participation of women and men in the workforce over time, illustrating trends like increasing female labor force participation.

40. How does the Table, A Changing Nation, highlight education and the family?

This table likely shows shifts in educational attainment and family structures over time, reflecting changes in gender roles, marriage rates, and family sizes.