Sociology Exam (Chapters 1,3 & 4)

what is scope of interest

Sociologists explore cultural variations over time, across societies, and within a society

what are social facts

manners of acting, thinking. And feeling external to the individual with coercive power to shape how we act, think and feel.

what is socialization

the cultural process of learning to participate in group life through cultural transmission

what is sociology?

the systematic study of the relationship between individuals and society and their consequences

self concept is developed by...

using other people as mirrors for learning more about ourselves, it is your image of yourself as having an identity separate from other people

What are the 3 sociological perspectives?

1. Functionalism 2. Conflict or Critical Theory 3. Symbolic Interaction

Sociology presents three main theoretical perspectives to address questions about:

1. Social Order 2. The impacts of inequality on life outcomes 3. The influence of social interactions, and group memberships

what were the 4 emergent forces that led to the development of sociology

1. The Ascent of Science 2. The Introduction of new philosophical ideas 3. The Industrial revolution 4. The rise of colonialism

what is anomie

Anomie is characterized by a weak social solidarity resulting from a lack of agreed upon rules guiding behavior.

This American sociologist viewed sociology as a tool that enhances understanding of our thoughts and actions

C. Wright Mills

what was Charles Horton Cooley's contribution to social interaction

Charles Horton Cooley introduced the looking-glass self (1902) to describe how a person's sense of self grows out of interactions with others, and he proposed a threefold process for this development

what is non material culture

Divided into cognitive and normative aspects Cognitive culture: a. Mental and symbolic representations (language habits) Normative culture: a. Establishment, adherence, and enforcement of principles of conduct b. Norms (formal and informal) maintain behavioral standards

what was Goffman's Dramaturgy

Dramaturgical analysis is the idea that people's day-to-day lives can be understood as resembling performers in action on a theater stage.

what are the two types of informal norms

Folkways (Most Common) a. Social etiquette rules for everyday behavior and dress b. Violation results in minor sanctions (penalty or reward) Mores a. Unwritten norms; violation is considered disruptive b. More serious sanctions. Like public shunning, but not legalized punishment

what was George Herbert Mead's contribution to social interaction

George Herbert Mead (1863-1931) is considered a founder of symbolic interactionism, the view of social behavior that emphasizes linguistic or gestural communication and its subjective understanding, especially the role of language in the formation of the child as a social being

who was the first female sociologist

Harriet Martineau

what was Auguste Comte's (1798-1857) early contribution

His aim was to create a science of society developing what is known as the philosophy of "positivism." (knowledge through observation)

what is material culture

Physically created or naturally occurring objects in society Includes modification of the natural environment for human purposes

what is positivism

The belief that knowledge through observation is superior, and that such knowledge can lead to the discovery of laws to society and thus social progress

what is cultural lag

The general principle that technological innovation occurs more quickly than does our capacity to perceive, interpret and respond.

what is Cultural integration

When society catches up and negotiates the status of the newly introduced cultural element with other cultural elements resulting in the stabilization of anxieties produced by cultural lag.

what is conflict or critical theory

a. A macro perspective, perceives society as marked by group tension and struggle b. Key concepts include inequality, power, alienation, exploitation c. It argues that social order is maintained through force and coercion

what is functionalism

a. A macro perspective, sees society as well integrated and stable b. Key concepts include social integration, anomie, institutions, and manifest/latent functions c. It assets that social order is maintained through cooperation and consensus

what is symbolic interaction

a. A micro perspective, explores how society influences our daily interactions b. Key concepts include symbols.self and the generalized other c. It suggests that social order is upheld through a shared understanding of every everyday life

what was Emile Durkheim's (1858 -1917) early contribution

a. Emphasized the role social forces (external) to us affect our behavior b. Placed a premium on understanding how social order was achieved and maintained c. Argued that rapid social change leads to instability and a condition termed "anomie."

what was W.E.B. Dubois' (1868-1963) major contribution

a. First African American to earn a PH.D. from Harvard conducted influential research on race relations b. Co-founder of the NAACP focused on analyzing everyday experiences to expose power dynamics and racial inequality c. Demonstrated social processes maintaining racial separation

what was Harriet Martineau's (1802-1876) early contribution

a. Her focus on social divisions introduced sociology to the role of power and social order as topics of study. b. She added, scholars should act on their convictions to benefit society, not just describe it. c. She also wrote her first known book on sociological methods of observation

what was Jane Adddams (1860-1935) major contribution

a. Integrated the roles of sociologist and social reformer, pioneering the field of social work. b. Founded Hull house in 1889, a settlement for the poor advocating for social equality c. Sole sociologist to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931

what was Karl Marx's (1818-1883) early contribution

a. Like Martineua, placed an emphasis on social inequality and added important insights on social class b. Argued that social life should be understood as an arena of conflict between different social classes c. Because of Marx, sociology pays particular focus on the role that power and control over resources plays in how social order is established and maintained.

what was Hebert Spencer's (1820-1903) early contribution

a. Originated the phrase the "survival of the fittest" and thus is credited with the idea of "social darwinism." b. His legacy was getting sociologists to think in theoretical terms. Not simply the documentation of social patterns.

what is Structural functionalism

a. Sharing a culture helps define the society and assist in establishing social order b. Society preserves its culture by transmitting shared language, norms and values from one generation to the next, thus providing social stability c. The interests of subgroups within culture are served by the formation of subcultures

what was Max Weber's (1846-1920) early contribution

a. Weber believed that culture (religion) was the central force of social change, not just class conflict based in economics. b. "The Protestant Ethic and the spirit of Capitalism," c. Weber contended that societal power is influenced by access to material resources, and also social status and organizational resources

what is Symbolic interactionism

a. Without Social interaction, people would not be able to construct their culture or transmit to others Having a common culture simplifies everyday transactions.

the sociological imagination refers to

an examination of the intersection of biography (the individual) and history (social factors that influence the individual)

What is empirical data?

direct observations and experiences

what is a systematic approach?

how we collect empirical data

what is cultural relativism

refers to viewing other people's behavior from the perspective of their culture, and appreciating other cultures as they exist without judgment of worth compared to one's own.