Sociology Lesson 1: What is Sociology?
Quantitative Research
Research that provides data that can be expressed with numbers, such as ranks or scales. Any type of social statistic is an example.
Qualitative Research
Research that works with non-numerical data such as texts, fieldnotes, interview transcripts, photographs, and tape recordings; this type of research often tries to understand how people make sense of their world.
Social Analyst
Studies the social world in a systematic, comprehensive, coherent, clear, and consistent manner in the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
Bernard McGrane
Suggests that people wanting to use a sociological perspective should utilize a beginner's mind.
Social Sciences
The disciplines that study human social behavior or institutions and functions of human society in a scientific manner.
Conflict Theory
The idea that conflict between competing interests is the basic, animating force of social change and society in general.
Glass Ceiling
The invisible barrier that prevents women and minorities from advancing to the top jobs in organizations. I.E. women in men-dominated jobs.
Microsociology
The 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.
Macrosociology
The level of analysis that studies large-scale social structures in order to determine how they affect the lives of groups and individuals. Focuses on large-scale issues.
Glass Escalator
The process by which men in traditionally female professions benefit from an unfair rapid rise within an organization.
Participant observation
The researcher actually takes part in the social world he or she studies, is an example of qualitative research.
Sociology
The systematic or scientific study of human society and social behavior, from large-scale institutions and mass culture to small groups and individual interactions.
Christine Williams
Took a macro-level approach to studying women in male-dominated occupations and men in female- dominated occupations.
Pam Fishman
Took a micro-level approach to studying issues of power in male- female relationships.
C. Wright Mills
Used the term sociological imagination to describe the ability to to look at issues from a sociological perspective.
Social Construction
A concept or practice that may appear natural and obvious to those who accept it, but that in reality is an invention of a particular culture or society.
Society
A group of people who shape their lives in aggregated and patterned ways that distinguish their group from other groups.
Symbolic Interactionism
A micro-level theory in which shared meanings, orientations, and assumptions form the basic motivations behind people's actions.
Functionalism
A psychology based on the assumption that all mental processes are useful to an organism in adapting to the environment
Sociological Imagination
A quality of the mind that allows us to understand the relationship between our particular situation in life and what is happening at a social level. Ex: unemployment, obesity.
Beginner's Mind
Approaching the world without preconceptions in order to see things in a new way.
Howard Becker
Defined Sociology as of people "doing things together."
Sociological Perspective
Incorporates Mills' notion of the sociological imagination. A quality of the mind that allows us to understand the relationship between our particular situation in life and what is happening at a social level.
Culture Shock
One way to gain a sociological perspective. A condition of disorientation affecting someone who is suddenly exposed to an unfamiliar culture or way of life or set of attitudes.
Everyday Actor
One who has the practical knowledge needed to get through daily life, but not necessarily the scientific or technical knowledge of how things work.
Methodology
Process by which one gathers and analyzes data.