Sociology Exam 2

Pluralism

A pattern of intergroup relations that encourage racial and ethnic variation within a society. Differences are appreciated.

Racism

A set of beliefs about the superiority of one racial or ethnic group compared to another

How do sociologists define race?

A social category based on real or perceived biological differences

What are the 3 types of racism?

Aversive: subtle and non-intentional. Have an uneasiness around different races. Modern: rejection of traditional racist beliefs. Everyone needs to take care of themselves. Racism 2.0: successful minority seen as an example. All others just need to try.

Working/Lower-middle Class

Blue-collar and service industry, maybe seasonal work

Which of the following is not considered a violent crime? Burglary, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, and murder.

Burglary

Because laws represent the interests of those in power, crimes committed by the upper classes are typically treated more leniently than crimes committed by the lower classes. This argument is consistent with which theory?

Conflict theory

Deviance is not always a ___.

Crime

Legislatures, police, courts, and prisons make up the ___.

Criminal justice system

De jure vs. De facto Segregation

De jure: by law. De facto: happens although not required by law.

In order for a behavior, trait, or belief to be considered deviant, it must...

Depart from a norm and generate a negative reaction

The parents of a deviant child often want to excuse their offspring's behavior, and it's common to hear them say, "He just fell in with a bad crowd." Which theory of deviance does this explanation most closely resemble?

Differential association

What are Goffman's 2 types of stigmas?

Discredited: known or easily seen Discreditable: unknown

3 Examples of Discrimination

Educational, court system, and employment

Ritualists

Have given up hope of achieving society's approved goals, but still operate according to society's approved means

Symbolic interactionists say that social inequality results from ___.

How people judge others based on how they present themselves

How do sociologists define positive deviance?

Instances where a rule violation is an admirable act that should be supported

Intergenerational mobility vs. Intragenerational mobility

Intergenerational: social mobility over generations Intragenerational: social mobility within one's lifetime

According to structural functionalists, what function does economic inequality serve?

It rewards people at the top, and the poor work jobs no one else wants. This can make people at odds with each other and can make things unstable.

What does the "culture of poverty" state?

Learned attitudes can develop among poor communities and lead the poor to accept their fate rather than attempt to improve their situation

Middle Class

Mainly white collar workers, small entrepreneurs, work technical and lower-management jobs

When a group is a minority but are in a larger number, what are they called?

Majority minority

How does Weber's model different from Marx's model?

Marx only looks at the economy, but Weber said there was more involved (wealth, power, and prestige)

Working Poor/Underclass

Not well-educated, unskilled, temporary, or seasonal jobs

Contrast occupational crime with corporate crime.

Occupational: individuals commit crimes while employed (embezzlement) Corporate: corporations violate laws to maximize profits (tax evasion)

What are the 2 types of assimilation?

Racial: absorbed through intermarriage. Cultural: absorbed by adopting the dominant group's culture.

How do structural functionalists explain race?

Racism provides a funnel for jobs and propel social change

Retreatists

Reject anything society approves

Rebels

Reject anything society approves and create and work toward their own goals using new means

Innovators

Seek successful goals through unapproved means according to society

Upper Class

Self-sustaining, have 99% of the money, make up 1% of the population

In a capitalist system, people are often stratified by their ___.

Socioeconomic status (SES)

Robert Merton developed structural strain theory to explain why deviance happens. What sort of strain does the theory's name refer?

Strain between socially approved goals and the means that an individual has for realizing them

Which theory says that deviance can promote social cohesion?

Structural functionalism

What is social stratification?

The division of society into groups arranged in a social hierarchy. Often vertical.

What is the real source of racism according to conflict theory?

The struggle for power and control

Bordieu said that social reproduction is ___.

The tendency for social-class status to be passed down from generation to generation

How do conflict theorists explain race?

The whites in power keep minorities from moving up in society (education, politics, economy)

True or False: According to structural functionalist theory, the function of deviance is to help clarify moral boundaries and affirm social norms.

True

True or False: According to the sociologist Howard Becker, there are no inherently deviant acts, only societal reactions to acts that make them deviant.

True

What is status inconsistency?

Unequal amounts of wealth, power, and prestige (Mother Teresa, Amanda Bynes)

How do symbolic interactionists define race?

We typically associate certain terms (black ...) with a certain connotation

Upper-middle Class

Well-educated, have executive, managerial, and professional jobs

What does it mean to have white privilege?

White criminals aren't seen as a representation of the whole race, whereas a black or middle Eastern criminal will be looked at as an example of what all other people from their race are like