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