Sociology Chapters 1-4 Test

Why are people who live in poor countries "immune" to suicide?

"poverty protects against suicide because it is a restraint in itself."

In what ways does using the Sociological Perspective pay off?

1. The sociological perspective helps us assess the truth of "common sense" 2. The sociological perspective helps us see the opportunities and constraints in our lives. 3. The sociological perspective empowers us to be active participants in our society. 4. The sociological perspective helps us live in a diverse world.

Give an example of an out-group situation.

A girl who is not a member of the popular clique at school, but wants to be, is likely to structure many of her daily activities around gaining entry into that group.

In the YouTube video, _______ of the subjects refused to continue.

1/3rd

In the Milgram experiment, what was the lowest level of shock?

15 volts

In the YouTube video, how high did the shocks go?

150 volts

When was the Stanley Milgram experiment?

1974

About ________ of the subjects were willing, under orders from the experimenter, to shock to the limit.

2/3rds

Risk of heart attack is _______X higher among women who live with their husbands and their husband's parents than among women who just live with their husbands.

3

What was the maximum voltage in the Stanley Milgram experiment?

450 volts

In 1983, ______ companies controlled 90% of all U.S. media outlets.

50

_____% of the subjects in Milgram's experiment complied with the experimenter's demands and proceeded to the maximum voltage.

65

In the YouTube video, _____% of women & _____% of men continued to the highest shock.

73; 65

In the YouTube video, it mentioned that if people go past the 150 voltage mark, there is an _____% change they are going to go all the way to the highest voltage.

80

In the YouTube video, it is said that if a team of 2 accomplices who both refused to continue, _______% of the subjects followed their example.

90

Define Society.

A population living in the same geographic area who share a culture and a common identity and whose members are subject to the same political authority. May consist of people from the same ethnic heritage or different people who speak different languages.

What is the Comparative method?

A research technique that compares existing official statistics and historical records across groups to test a theory about some social phenomenon.

What is a group?

A set of people who interact more or less regularly with one another and who are conscious of their identity as a group.

What are roles?

A set of rights, obligations, behaviors, and duties that people occupying a certain position are expected or encouraged to perform

What is the role of mass media in society?

As societies become more complex, the dissemination of information requires a massive coordinated system Modern mass media-radio, newspapers, television, and the Internet-provide coverage of important societal events so individuals can make informed decisions about their own lives Actively mold public opinion and project and reinforce a society's values

What are social institutions?

Building blocks that organize society Patterned ways of solving the problems and meeting the requirements of a particular society All societies must have some systematic way of organizing the various aspects of everyday life

Who coined the term sociological imagination?

C. Wright Mills

What are norms?

Culturally defined rules of conduct Specify what people should do and how they should pursue values Tell us what is proper or necessary behavior within particular roles, groups, organizations, and institutions

Who coined the term comparative method?

Emile Durkheim

Define Content analysis

Form of unobtrusive research that studies the content of recorded messages, such as books, speeches, poems, songs, television shows, Web sites, and advertisements

What is the role of religion in society?

Gives individuals a belief system for understanding their existence as well as a network of personal support in times of need Provides enormous comfort to some people It can also be a source of hatred and irreparable divisions

What are some examples of organizations?

Harvard University Microsoft Methodist Church

What are the limitations to the symbolic interactionism perspective?

Highlighting micro-level experiences, it ignores larger societal patterns and structures Ignoring widespread influence of culture

What are examples of counterculture?

Hippies - during the 1960's, a youth-oriented counterculture rejected mainstream culture as too competitive, self-centered, and materialistic Amish - They drive horse-drawn buggies and seldom use electricity or modern machines. They reject many mainstream notions of success and replace them with their own work values.

List examples of opportunities denied because of gender.

Jobs (guys nursing) women making less $$

What are the key concepts of the Structural-Functionalist Perspective?

Manifest and latent functions Dysfunctions Social stability

What are secondary groups?

Much more formal Impersonal Established for a specific task Less emotionally committed Roles tend to be highly structured

What is an organization?

Networks of statuses and groups created for a specific purpose Contain groups as well as individuals occupying clearly defined statuses and taking on clearly defined roles

What are the limitations of the structural-functionalist perspective?

Not critical of inequalities Focusing on stability at the expense of conflict Too conservative

What is the primary theme of sociology?

Our everyday thoughts and actions are the product of a complex interplay between massive social forces and personal characteristics.

What is the role of health care in society?

People get sick and die A complex system of health care to disseminate medical treatments Doctors, nurses, hospitals, pharmacies, drug and medical equipment manufacturers, and patients

What are the key concepts of the Conflict Perspective?

Power Inequality Conflict Dominance

Define Globalization.

Process through which people's lives all over the world become economically, politically, environmentally, and culturally interconnected.

What are examples of secondary groups?

Production or sale of consumer goods

Sociologists study what?

Rather than studying what goes on WITHIN people, they study what goes on BETWEEN people, whether as individuals, groups, organizations, or entire societies. Sociology forces us to look outside the tight confines of our individual personalities to understand the phenomena that shape us.

What is counterculture?

Refers to cultural patterns or groups with expectations and values that contrast sharply with the dominant values of a particular society

What is role strain?

Refers to situations in which people lack the necessary resources to fulfill the demands of a particular role.

What is the role of the family in society?

Reproduction is essential to the survival of human society as a whole Sexual relations are regulated People are cared for Children are born, protected, and socialized Newcomers are provided an identity-a "lineage"

Define Empirical research

Research that operates from the ideological position that questions about human behavior can be answered only through controlled, systematic observations in the real world

Define hypothesis

Researchable prediction that specifies the relationship between two or more variables

Define theory

Set of statements or propositions that seeks to explain or predict a particular aspect of social life Explains the way things are, not they way they ought to be.

What is role conflict?

Situations in which people encounter tension in trying to cope with the demands of incompatible roles.

What is the main assumption of the Structural-Functionalist Perspective?

Social institutions are structured to maintain stability and order in society.

What is the main assumption of the symbolic interactionist perspective?

Society is structured and maintained through everyday interactions and people's subjective definitions of their worlds

Define Value.

Standard of judgement by which people decide on desirable goals and outcomes.

Define Coalition.

Subgroup of a triad, formed when two members unite against the third member.

What is sociology?

Systematic study of human societies.

What is the role of the economy in society?

Systematic way of gathering resources, converting them into good and commodities, and distributing them to members Facilitate the distribution of both goods and services, economic institutions adopt a system of common currency and an identifiable mode of exchange

What is the individualistic explanation?

Tendency to attribute people's achievements and failures to their personal qualities.

What is the sociological imagination?

The ability to see the impact of social forces on our private lives-an awareness that our lives lie at the intersection of personal biography and societal history.

What is the main assumption of the Conflict Perspective?

The various institutions in society promote inequality and conflict among groups of people

What do violations of laws cause?

The violator of a law is likely to be perceived not just as a weird or immoral person but as a criminal who deserves formal punishment.

What are in-groups?

The groups to which we belong and toward which we feel a sense of loyalty

What are manifest functions? Provide an example.

The intended, obvious consequences of activities designed to help some part of the social system. The manifest function of going to college is to get an eduction and acquire the credentials necessary to establish a career.

What is the role of politics and the law in society?

The legal system provides explicit laws or rules of conduct and mechanisms for enforcing those laws, settling disputes, and changing outdated laws or creating new ones These activities take place within a larger system of governance that allocates and acknowledges power, authority, and leadership Evaluate whether laws are outdated, because we are constantly evolving as a society

What do violations of mores cause?

The person who deviates from mores is considered immoral or bordering on criminal.

What is the social construction of reality?

The process through which facts, knowledge, truth, and so on are discovered, made known, reaffirmed, and altered by the members of society. This concept is based on the simple assumption that knowledge is a human creation.

What are latent functions? Provide an example.

The unintended, sometimes unrecognized, consequences of actions that coincidentally help the system. The latent function of going to college is to meet people and establish close, enduring relationships. It also informally teaches students how to live on their own, away from their parents

What is the role of dysfunctional aspects of society? Provide an example.

Things that persist, even if they seem disruptive, must persist because they contribute somehow to the survival of society. Prostitution: Satisfies sexual needs that may not be met through more socially acceptable means, such as marriage. Customers can have their physical desires satisfied without having to establish the sort of emotional attachment to another person that would destroy a preexisting marriage, harm the institution of family, and ultimately threaten the entire society

What is the role of the military in society?

To deal with the possibility of attack from outside and the protection of national interests, many societies maintain an active military defense Also used to attack other countries in order to acquire land, resources, or power Used for political change

What are the limitations of the conflict perspective?

Too much emphasis on conflict Downplays or overlooks elements of society that different groups and individuals share Emphasis on inequality

Define Egoistic Suicide and provide an example.

Type of suicide that occurs in settings where the individual is emphasized over group or community connections. EX: Protestantism emphasizes individual salvation and responsibility.

Define Fatalistic Suicide and provide an example.

Type of suicide that occurs when people see no possible way to improve their oppressive circumstances. EX: Prisoners serving life sentences. Slaves who take their own lives to escape their miserable confinement and lack of freedom.

Define Anomic Suicide and provide an example.

Type of suicide that occurs when the structure of society is weakened or disrupted and people feel hopeless and disillusioned. People's lives are suddenly disrupted by major social events. The conditions around which people have organized their lives are dramatically altered. EX: War The Depression

Define Altruistic Suicide and provide an example.

Type of suicide that occurs where ties to the group or community are considered more important that individual identity. Individuality is completely overshadowed by one's group membership. EX: Spiritual loyalty: Some religious sects require their members to reject their ties to outside people and groups and to live by the values and customs of their new community.

Define Dependent variable

Variable that is assumed to be cause by, or to change as a result of the independent variable

What do violations of folkway norms cause?

Violations of these norms causes people to think you are weird or even uncouth but not necessary immoral or criminal.

Describe macrolevel in terms of society.

Way of examining human life that focuses on the broad social forces and structural features of society that exist above the level of individual people.

Describe microlevel in terms of society.

Way of examining human life that focuses on the immediate, everyday experiences of individuals.

What do moral entrepreneurs do?

When individuals band together in interest groups and seek to outlaw or increase punishment for such things as: pornography, drunk driving, sexually explicit song lyrics, abortion, gambling, and to promote gun control - they are crusading for the creation of a new public conception of morality.

What is the role of education in society?

Young people need to be taught what it means to be a member of the society in which they live and how to survive in it Create and disseminate knowledge and information Train individuals for future careers and teach them their "place" in society

Define spurious relationship

a false association between two variables that is actually due to the effect of some third variable

How is society a "static" entity?

a natural, permanent, and historical structure.

Give an example of a role conflict.

a paramedic goes on the scene of a car crash to treat a drunk driver (status of doctor) who caused the death of his wife and child (role of husband/father)

Define reactivity

a problem associated with certain forms of research in which the very act of intruding into people's lives may influence the phenomenon being studied

What is an ascribed status?

a social position we acquire at birth or enter involuntarily later in life

What is an achieved status?

a social position we take on voluntarily or acquire through our own efforts or accomplishments

What is a euphemism?

an inoffensive expression substituted for one that might be offensive

Define self-fulfilling prophecy

assumption or prediction that in itself causes the expected event to occur, thus seeming to confirm the prophecy's accuracy

What is the difference between structural-functional and conflict perspectives?

assumptions of nature of society

What is symbolic interactionism?

attempts to understand society and social structure through an examination of the microlevel interactions of people as individuals, pairs, or groups

Define Probabilistic

capable only of identifying those forces that have a high likelihood, but not a certainty, of influencing human action

What are examples of euphemisms used in the language of war?

collateral damage (civilian deaths during military combat) friendly fire (accidental shooting of fellow soldiers).

Define taboos and give examples

concern actions considered unthinkable or unspeakable in the culture. most societies have taboos that forbid incest (sexual relations with a close relative) and prohibit eating a human corpse. Taboos are most common in societies that do not have centralized governments to enforce laws and maintain jails.

What are primary groups?

consists of a small number of members who have direct contact with each other over a relatively long period of time. Emotional attachment is high Members have intimate knowledge of each other's lives

What are some examples of statuses?

cook daughter student husband

What is the most universal element of society?

culture

Define Folkways and give examples

customs or desirable behaviors, but they are not strictly enforced. responding politely when introduced to someone, not scratching your genitals in public, or using proper table manners.

The language of war contains euphemisms designed to minimize the public's ________ and increase its _________.

discomfort support

Definitions of reality frequently reflect underlying _________ interests.

economic

What are examples of subcultures?

ethnic groups, such as Mexican Americans and Korean Americans. Hasidic Jews

What was the final consensus of the Milgram experiment?

even normal citizens can lose their moral compass out of obedience to authority.

What are examples of primary groups?

families networks of close friends

What are some examples of social institutions?

family education economics politics and law religion health care the military mass media

What is the feminist perspective?

focuses on gender as most important source of conflict. Women have less power.

In the U.S., behaviors such as burping or spitting in public are considered violations of: A) sanctions. B) mores. C) folkways. D) laws.

folkways

Norms can be classified into what 3 categories?

folkways, mores, and laws

Define Moral entrepreneurs

groups that work to have their moral concerns translated into law

What was the purpose of the Stanley Milgram experiment?

he wanted to know how far people would go in obeying the commands of an authority figure.

What is material culture?

includes all the human-made objects (things) we can see or touch including: distinctive clothing, buildings, inventions, food, technology, literature, music, and so on.

What is our symbolic communication we interact through?

language

What factors go into culture?

languages, values, beliefs, rules, physical artifacts

List examples of opportunities denied because of age.

license @ 16 voting @ 18 drinking @ 21

Both structural-functional and conflict perspectives analyze society at the _________ level, societal patterns and consequences.

macro; structural

The advent of the automobile and the development of plastic products are examples of _____ culture. A) scientific B) nonmaterial C) material D) nonenvironmental

material

Define Indicator

measurable event, characteristic, or behavior commonly through to reflect a particular concept

The presence of female family members can make men what?

more generous, compassionate, empathetic

We associated statuses with ________.

prestige

Define beliefs

more specific ideas we hold about life, about the way society works, and about where we fit into the world Hindu's believe that fulfilling behavioral expectations of one's own social caste will be rewarded in one's next birth, or incarnation. So, in the next life, good people will be born into a higher social status.

Laws that prohibit smoking in public buildings are examples of: A) sanctions. B) mores. C) folkways. D) norms.

mores

In the Milgram experiments, was the learner actually being shocked?

no

Define laws and give examples

norms that have been formally encoded by those holding political power in society, such as laws against stealing property or killing another person.

Define mores and give examples

norms that most members observe because they have great moral significance in a society. Conforming to mores is a matter of right and wrong, and violations of many mores are treated very seriously. Being honest, not cheating on exams, and being faithful in a marriage

Society is an _______ fact that coerces, even _______ us.

objective; creates

What is a status?

positions individuals occupy within society

What are some examples of ascribed statuses?

race ethnicity identity as someone's child or grandchild generational wealth

What is nonmaterial culture?

refers to the thoughts, language, feelings, beliefs, values, and attitudes that make up much of our culture. They are the invisible and intangible parts of culture. Cannot touch the nonmaterial components of our culture, they are very instrumental in determining how we think, feel, and behave. Involves society's rules of behavior and shapes how people interact with others and their environment.

Define sanctions

reinforce norms through rewards and penalties.

In addition to affecting perceptions of reality, language __________ prevailing ideas and __________ conflicting ideas about the world.

reinforces; suppresses

Define formal sanctions and give examples

rewards or punishments conferred by recognized officials to enforce the most important norms. Fines for parking illegally, lowered grades on an assignment for plagiarism, and expulsion for bringing drugs or weapons to school - formal negative sanctions

Give an example of a role.

roles associated with a professor include teaching students, answering their questions, grading them impartially, and dressing appropriately

Define norms

rules of behavior shared by members of a society and rooted in the value system.

Define Values

shared judgments about what is desirable or undesirable, right or wrong, good or bad.

By 2011, just _____ companies owned 90% of all media outlets, concentrating control over what we see, hear, and read. (List them)

six Comcast, Disney, News Corp, Time Warner, Viacom, and CBS

All societies, whatever their form, contain both forces of stability, called __________ and forces for change, called ____________.

social statistics social dynamics

Define qualitative research

sociological research based on nonnumeric information (text, written words, phrases, symbols, observations) that describes people, actions, or events in social life

Define quantitative research

sociological research based on the collection of numeric data that uses precise statistical analysis

List examples of opportunities denied because of ethnicity.

sports (a lot of African Americans)

What are some examples of achieved statuses?

student spouse engineer

What is the 3rd leading cause of death among young Americans following accidents and homicides?

suicide

What are the key concepts of symbolic interactionist perspective?

symbolic communication social interaction subjective meaning

What is the strongest type of more?

taboo

What are out-groups?

the groups to which we don't belong and toward which we feel a certain amount of resentment

We act and react to things and people in our environment as a result of what?

the meaning we attach to them

Define Analysis of existing data

type of unobtrusive research that relies on data gathered earlier by someone else for some other purpose.

Define representative

typical of the whole population being studied

Define informal sanctions and give examples

unofficial rewards or punishments such as smiles, frowns, or ignoring unacceptable behaviors. A private word of praise by your professor after class about how well you did on your exam would be an informal POSITIVE sanction Gossip or ostracism by other students because of clothes you are wearing would be an informal NEGATIVE sanction.

Define incorrigible proposition

unquestioned cultural belief that cannot be proved wrong no matter what happens to dispute it

Define Independent variable

variable presumed to cause or influence the dependent variable

Give an example of a role strain.

when parents can't afford to provide their children with adequate food, clothing, or shelter

The key concerns from the conflict perspective are what?

who benefits economically who loses from dominant versions of reality

In the Milgram experiment, which gender was more likely to get the highest shock?

women

In the YouTube video, which gender seemed more conceded with the effects of pain on the participants?

women

What are some examples of groups?

your family your colleagues at work any clubs or sports teams to which you belong