Sociology 204- Test 2

What did Weber mean by the "rationalization"?

Max Wever: rational society is built around logic and efficiency rather than morality or tradition, capitalism is rational

Explain differential association theory.

individuals learn deviant behavior from those close to them who provide models of and opportunities for deviance

Who is Emile Durkheim? Describe this thoughts on suicide, organic solidarity and mechanical solidarity.

Emile Durkheim introduced functionalism in society, there are many parts that create society to make it work. suicide: likened society to a living organism, each organism plays a necessary role in keeping being alive, mechanical solidarity: things are being done mostly b'c they have always been done that way, organic solidarity: social order based around acceptance of economic and social differences; allows people w/ differing values to coexist

How did Karl Marx view alienation within society? What are the four types of alienation

He described society as the condition which an individual is isolated and divorced from his/her society, work, or sense of self. alienation from product of one's labor: worker won't care if he is making watches or cars, simply that the job exists alienation from process of one's labor: worker does not control the conditions of her job b'c she does not own the means of production alienation from others: employees vie for time slots, bonuses, and job security alienation from one's self: loss of connectivity between a worker and her occupation

Explain Erving Goffman's theory of dramaturgy. What is "impression management"?

Presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage in everyday life; present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived, each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present

How does Hirschi's Control Theory explain deviance?

Social control is directly affected by strength of social bonds and that deviance results from a feeling of disconnection from society 1. Attachment: people conform societys norms in order to gain approval and prevent disapproval 2. Commitment: business woman who volunteers and is member of organization has more to loose from committing a crime 3. Involvement: participation in socially legitimate activities to lessen person's likelihood of deviance 4. Belief: if person views social values as beliefs, he/she will conform to them

Explain Merton's Strain Theory. How does it explain crime?

access to socially acceptable goals plays a part in determining whether a person conforms or deviates 1. conformity: those who conform choose not to deviate 2. innovation: those who innovate pursue goals they cannot reach instead using criminal/deviant means 3. ritualism: people lower their goals until they can reach them, they focus of conformity rather than attaining a distant dream 4. retreatism: others retreat and reject society's goals and means, street people have w/drawn from goal of financial success 5. rebellion: handful of people rebel and replace a society's goals and means w/ their own (terrorists)

What is the "looking glass self"? How does this concept help us understand socialization?

base of our image on what we think other people see, us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it, people's reactions to us are like a mirror in which we are reflected.

What is meant by the terms "false consciousness" and "class consciousness"?

fc: condition in which the beliefs, ideals, or ideology of a person are not in the person's own best interest & cc: awareness of one's rank in society, class could become an advocate of social improvements

Compare and contrast functionalism with conflict theory. How do they differ in the way they describe society?

functionalism (Emile Durkheim): society is greater than the sum of its parts, individual behavior was not the same as collective behavior, collective consciousness is communal beliefs, morals, and attitudes of a society causes individuals act similar/predictable ways, social integration was a key factor in social life conflict theory (Karl Marx): society's constructions were predicted upon idea of "base and superstructure" (a society's economic character forms its base , rest of culture and social institutions, superstructure), base ($) determines what a society will be like, owners of means of production (bourgeoise) and labors (prletariat)

What does the term socialization refer to? Describe socialization from the perspective of symbolic interactionism, conflict theory or functionalism.

functionalism: we as people have to learn the basics of both material and non-material culture to function successfully

Describe labeling theory. How does it explain crime?

it examines the ascribing of a deviant behavior to another person by members of society, what is considered deviant is the reactions of others to those behaviors

What were Mead's ideas about the development of self? How do we develop a sense of ourselves according to Mead?

persons distinct identity that is developed through social interaction, individual has to be able to view him or herself through the eyes of others; we learn to put ourselves in someone elses shoes and look at the world throught their perspective. path of development: prep stage- imitating, play stage- begin to take role, game stage- considering several roles

What is the difference between primary and secondary deviance?

primary: violation of norms that does not result in any long-term effects on individuals self-image or interactions w/ others secondary: person's self concept and behavior begin to change after his/her actions are labeled as deviant by society

What do sociologists mean by the term "social control"?

regulation and enforcement or norms, an arrangement of practices and behaviors on which society's members base their daily lives (social order-employee, social control- manager)

What is meant by the term "anomie"?

situation which society no longer has support of a firm collective consciousness, experienced in times of social uncertainty (war or up/down turn in economy)

What did C. Wright Mills mean by the term "power elite"?

small group of wealthy and influential people are at the top of society who hold power and resources

What are some major agents of socialization?

some of the major agents are family: teaches child what he/she needs to know, peer groups: people who are similar in age and social status and who share interests, school: latent function in societ, workplace: new socialization into a workplace, religion: teach how to interact w/ religions material culture, gov't: rites of passage, mass media: distribute impersonal info to wide audience, peopl learn of material culture

What is the difference between ascribed and achieved status?

status that you do not select & statuses obtained by choice

What is the "self-fulfilling prophecy"? What is the "Thomas Theorem"?

thomas theorem is people's behavior can be determined by their subjective construction of reality rather than by objective reality; self-fulfilling prophecy: a false idea can become true if it is acted upon (people believe bank is bankrupt so they run to bank to get their $)