11.1 Sociology: Theories and Institutions

Question 1

sociology

Answer 1

the study of society

how we create society, interact within it, define what is normal and abnormal in society, and how we institutionalize these ideas

Question 2

macrosociology

Answer 2

focuses on large groups and social structure

looking at big phenomena that affect a large portion of the population

(deals with poverty, warfare, healthcare, etc.)

Question 3

microsociology

Answer 3

focuses on small groups and the individual

ex. face to face interactions, families, schools, other social interactions
ex. doctor-patient interaction

Question 4

social structure

Answer 4

a system of people within a society organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships

Question 5

functionalism (functional analysis)

Answer 5

the study of the structure and function of each part of society

when all parts of society fulfil their functions, society is in a normal state

Question 6

functions

Answer 6

the beneficial consequence of peoples actions; help keep society in balance

Question 7

dysfunctions

Answer 7

harmful consequences of people’s actions as they undermine a social system’s equilibrium

Question 8

manifest function

Answer 8

deliberate actions that serve to help a given system

Question 9

latent functions

Answer 9

unexpected, unintended, or unrecognized positive consequences of manifest function

Question 10

power (sociological context)

Answer 10

a form of influence over other people

Question 11

conflict theory

Answer 11

focuses on how power differentials are created and how these differentials contribute to the maintenance of social order

the idea society is made of institutions that benefit the powerful and create inequalities; large groups are at odds until conflict is resolved

Question 12

symbolic interactionism

Answer 12

the study of the ways individuals interact through a shared understanding of words, gestures, and other symbols

central idea is that symbols are key to understanding how we view the world and communicate with one another

Question 13

symbols

Answer 13

things to which we attach meanings; are not always consistent across cultures

include: how we codify concepts in language, hand gestures, body language, etc.

Question 14

social constructionism

Answer 14

argues that people actively shape their reality through social interactions

it’s something constructed, not inherent

Question 15

a social construct

Answer 15

a concept/practice that everyone in society had agreed to treat a certain way regardless of its inherent value (ex. money)

arise from humans communicating and working together to agree on the significance of a concept or principle

ex. paper money does not have inherent money, but we have agreed to give it value to be used for trade

Question 16

rational choice theory

Answer 16

in this theory, and individual makes decisions by carefully considering all of the possible punishments and rewards of each social action and chooses the option that has the higher benefit-to-harm ratio for themselves

Question 17

exchange theory

Answer 17

an extension of rational choice theory

focuses specifically on interactions in groups

an individual will carry out certain behaviours because of anticipated rewards and will avoid certain behaviours because of anticipated punishments

Question 18

feminist theory

Answer 18

attempts to explain social inequalities that exist on the basis of gender

focuses on the subordination (lowering in rank) of women

Question 19

gender roles

Answer 19

the behaviours expected of a given gender

Question 20

objectification

Answer 20

when one is viewed as a sexual object rather than a person

Question 21

glass ceiling

Answer 21

when a qualified person wishing to advance within the hierarchy of his/her organization is stopped at a lower level due to a discrimination (most often based on sexism or racism)

Question 22

social institutions

Answer 22

well-established social structures that dictate certain patterns of behaviour or relationships and are accepted as a fundamental part of culture

they regulate the behaviour of individuals in core areas of society

Question 23

6 major social institutions

Answer 23

family

education

religion

government

economy

healthcare/medicine

Question 24

mandated reporter

Answer 24

someone (ex. a doctor) who is legally required to report suspected cases of elder or child abuse

domestic abuse does not fall under mandated reporting laws

Question 25

hidden curriculum

Answer 25

what children learn in schools beyond information and cognitive skills

includes social norms, attitudes, beliefs, etc.

Question 26

teachers expectancy

Answer 26

the idea that reachers tend to get what they expect from students (performance depends not only on the student intrinsic abilities, but on the expectations of their teacher)

Question 27

religiosity

Answer 27

how religious one considers themselves to be

Question 28

denominations or sects

Answer 28

how large religions may be divided into smaller groups that share certain beliefs but differ in others

sects: a religiouss group that has broken off from its parent religion; may transform into a cult (extreme condition)

Question 29

democracy

Answer 29

allows every citizen a political voice, usually through electing representatives to office (representative democracy)

Question 30

monarchies

Answer 30

include a royal ruler (king or queen), although the rulers powers may be significantly limited by the presence of a constitution and parliamentary system

Question 31

dictatorship

Answer 31

a system where a single person holds power

Question 32

theocracy

Answer 32

a system where power is held by religious leaders

Question 33

capitalist vs socialist economies

Answer 33

socialism → the means of production are publicly owned

capitalist → the means of production are privately owned; involve division of labour

???

Question 34

life course approach to health

Answer 34

maintaining and considering a comprehensive view of the patient’s history beyond the immediate presenting symptoms

Question 35

sick role

Answer 35

when the patient was not responsible for the illness and became exempt from normal social roles

this role has shifted to assign more ownership of health onto the individual (through diet, exercise, etc.)

Question 36

4 key tenets of medical ethics

Answer 36

beneficience

nonmaleficence

respect for patient autonomy

justice

Question 37

medical ethics: beneficience

Answer 37

the physician has a responsibility to act in the patients best interest

Question 38

medical ethics: nonmaleficence

Answer 38

do no harm

the physician has a responsibility to abide treatments or interventions in which the potential for harm outweighs the potential for benefit

Question 39

medical ethics: respect for patient autonomy

Answer 39

the physician has a responsibility to respect the patient’s decisions and choices about their own healthcare

Question 40

medical ethics: justice

Answer 40

the physician has a responsibility to treat similar patients with similar care, and to distribute healthcare resources fairly