Sociology Mid Term 1
Micro sociology
a level of analysis that studies face to face and small group interactions in order to understand how they affect the larger patterns and institutions of society ex a macro-level analysis might research the ways that language use has changed over time or in social media outlets.
RM 6
analyze data (interpret data)
experiment
are formal tests of specific variables and effects that are performed in a controlled setting where all aspects of the situation can be controlled.
pros of conflict theory
causes change
RM 4
choose research design
RM 5
collect data (do research)
Karl Marx what is needed to produce social change?
conflict
accepts goals accepts means
conformity
RM 7
disseminate data (report data)
negative sanctions
enforcement through punishments
positive sanctions
enforcement through rewards
agents of socialization
family schools peers the workplace religion government media
Merton's strain theory
goals and means
RM 3
hypothesis
RM 1
identify problem/ question
cons of conflict theory
ignores the good in society
symbolic interactionist: self fullfilling prophecy
inaccurate belief/ statment becomes true by itself
accepts goals rejects means
innovation
RM 2
literature review/ research
existing sources
newspapers, census, photography, artifacts
pros of symbolic interaction
only theory that assumes an active role of the human actor
Bourgeoisie (bouggie)
own the means of production
cons of structural functionalism
provides little insight into social process. Focuses to much on Macro and has little interest in explaining human action.
rejects goals rejects means creates new goals and means
rebellion
pop culture
regular ppl culture
rejects goals rejects means
retreatism
high culture
rich ppl culture
rejects goals accepts means
ritualism
informal sanctions
sanctions given by anyone
formal sanctions
sanctions given by designated people
sanctions
-The ways that we try to enforce norms
Symbolic interaction
-We act toward things on the basis of the meaning ascribed to them. -Meanings are not inherent, they are negotiated through interaction with others and society -Meanings can be changed or modified through interaction - ppl give objects meaning -language is important -needed for human development (meanings, representations, gestures)
ethnographic
-a naturalistic method based on studying people in their own environment in order to understand the meanings they attribute to their activities. -Collect data by producing written accounts of their observations
the power elite
-a small group of wealthy and influential people at the top of society who hold the power and resources. -Wealthy executives, politicians, celebrities, and military leaders often have access to national and international power, and in some cases, their decisions affect everyone in society
symbolic interactionist theory: labeling theory
-being labeled as deviant - ppl who are labeled ____, will most likely accept that label, then become that label. -Theory- examines the ascribing of a deviant behavior to another member of society -Social groups create deviance by defining certain actions as criminal or deviant -Consequences of being labeled a criminal -Deviant label can dominate
pros of structural functionalism
-inclusion of all social institutions. -Attempts to provide a universal social theory, a way of explaining society in one comprehensive model
symbolic interactionist
-look for patterns of interactions between individuals, This often involves observation of one on one interactions. - microlevel
more
-norms of huge moral significance -Causes people to be met with disapproval ex scarletts letter
law
-norms that are formally defined and they are enforced by designated people -Not all Laws are based on Mores ex murder
surveys
-questionnaires that are administered to a sample of respondents selected from a target population. - tends to look at large-scale social patterns and employs statistics and other mathematical means of analysis.
literature review
-research -a thorough search through previously published studies to a particular topic
spurious correlation
-when the relationship you see between two variables is actually being produced by a third variable - one two things don't cause each other ex more ice cream = more murder
who's most likely to commit a crime?
-younger age -males -race AA
research methods (5)
1. Ethnographic 2. Interviews 3. Surveys 4. Existing Sources 5. Experiment
steps of research method (7)
1. Identify a problem or ask a question 2. Literature Review 3. Hypothesis 4. Choose research design 5. Collect data 6. Analyze data 7. Disseminate findings
counter culture
A counterculture is a group within society that openly rejects and/or actively opposes society's values and norms. - purposely different ex hippie
power elite theory
FBI compiles reported crimes and arrests annually and publishes them in the UCR which lists: -Crime rates -actual number of crimes -Percentage of change over time -Clearance rates- arrest and charges made
differential association theory
Individuals learn criminal values, techniques, and motivations for criminal behavior through social interaction
Karl Marx what created oppression for the lower class?
The capitalist system Believed that the capitalist system lead to inequality which was detrimental to the functioning of the society.
interviews
Types of questions An open-ended question allows the answer to take whatever from the respondent chooses A closed-ended question imposes a limit on the possible responses Questions to avoid Leading questions- questions that predispose a respondent to answer in a certain way. Double -barreled questions- questions that attempt to get at multiple issues at once, and so tend to receive incomplete answers
conflict theory/ conflict perspective
Unequal System - Inequalities in wealth and power that arise from the economic system Power Elite - Ability of those in power to define deviance in ways that maintain the status quo -social inequality leads to crime for economic survival or expression of anger - law enforcement applied differently, penalizing those without power, benefit those with power.
Social imagination
Wright Mills described as an awareness of the relationship between a person's behavior and experience and the wider culture that shaped the person's choices and perceptions. It's a way of seeing our own and other people's behavior in relationship to history and social structure
sub culture
a group within society that is differentiated by its distinctive values, norms, and lifestyle. -happens to be different ex haitian vs american culture
material culture
(any physical object to which we give social meaning) anything material/ tangible
symbolic culture
(the ideas associated with a cultural group). ideas, beliefs, customs, values, and norms, attitudes ex gestures, signs, language
socialization
- Lifelong social experience by which people develop their human potential and learn culture -continues before and after birth
what would effect how you choose a research method?
- ethics - time
cons of symbolic interaction
- the scope is limited/ restricted -cannot address the most important sociological issues -authority is restricted to face to face study -the research methods are difficult to remain objective. (studies can not be repeated)
Meaning of this quote: "The ruling ideas of each age have ever been the ideas of its ruling class."
- ultimately, society is ruled by the high class/ powerful class. - their decisions effect the lower classes the most - conflict theory: rich are the ones in power and are the governors, bosses; etc - law enforcement applied diff, benefit the ones with power
structural functionalism
-A theory that begins with the assumption that society is a unified whole that functions because of the contributions of its separate structures. - all societies work together to make a system - macro level
folkway
-Customary ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving that lack moral overtones -Habits -Common courtesies -not serious ex 1.being polite at table 2. chew w/ mouth closed
Macro sociology
studies large-scale social structures in order to determine how they affect the lives of groups of individuals ex micro-level study might look at the accepted rules of conversation in various groups such as among teenagers or business professionals.
sapire whorf hypothesis
the idea that language structures thought, and that ways of looking at the world are embedded in language, supports this premise. (talking dog thinks in English)
cultural relativism
the principle of understanding other cultures on their own terms, rather than judging according to one's own culture. When studying any group, it is important to try to employ cultural relativism because it helps sociologists see others more objectively.
ethnocentrism
the principle of using one's own culture as a standard by which to evaluate another group or individual, leading to the view that cultures other than one's own are abnormal.
Proletariat
workers