Ch. 11: Social Structure and Demographics Flashcards
what is the difference between sociology and psychology?
sociology = focus on the way groups organize and interact (the study of society)
psychology = focus on the behaviors of individuals
describe the micro, meso, and marco levels of a sociologist’s view on society?
MICRO = family groups and local communities
MESO = organizations, institutions, and ethnic subcultures
MACRO = national and international systems
defn and func: theoretical approaches to sociology
many models to help analyze and explain aspects of human social behavior
they each explain certain aspects of society and are inadequate to analyze other aspects
so they aren’t necessarily competing models!
defn: symbol
any object, image, sound, or action that carries meaning to humans (need not be physical)
defn, char, weakness: symbolic interactionism
sociological approach, micro to meso, reflects on how we use symbols to interact with eachother
the three main assumptions are:
- humans act toward symbols based on the meanings that these symbols carry
- the meanings symbols carry come from social interaction
- humans interpret the meaning of symbols, and this interpretation influences action
overlooks macro structures like cultural norms and class interactions
defn + examples: social construct
any idea that has been created and accepted by the people in a society
may include symbols, abstract ideas, physical objects, work ethic, acceptable dress, gender roles
defn, weakness: social constructionism
sociological approach, micro to meso, reflects on how we, as a society, construct concepts and principles
cannot account for macro-level phenomena
defn, char, weakness: rational choice/exchange theory
sociological approach, micro to meso, focuses on individual decision making
humans will make rational choices to further their own self-interests
people weight the costs and benefits when making choices, ranking their options based on maximizing perceived benefit
views all social interactions as transactions that take into account the benefits and harms to the individual
social rewards: accolades, honor, prestige, approval
punishments: embarrassment, humiliation, sanctions, stigmatization
people evaluate whether there is reciprocity and balance in social relationships
does not explain charitable, illogical, unselfish, or altruistic behavior
defn, char, result, weakness: conflict theory
sociological approach, macro, examine the inevitable conflicts between groups
those with power = attempt to preserver power by shaping the structure of society
- uses influence to dictate laws, customs, cultural norms
MAINTENANCE OF STATUS QUO
if those who are lower recognize power differential and see that others are also dissatisfied –> they can organize interest groups and can use tools (protesting, voting) to enact change and equalize power
DISRUPTION AND REVOLUTION
weakness: individuals, social cohesion, cooperation, altruism
defn, char: capitalism
an economic system in which individuals and corporations, rather than governments, own and control what Marx called the means of production (property, machinery, factories, means of creating saleable good or service)
leads to a small, wealthy capitalist (bourgeoisie) class = control production means
rest of society = lower, worker (proletariat) class
disparity in power and resources leads to conflict
defn, weakness: structural-functionalism
sociological approach, focus on how large societies survive over time, focus on social cohesion and stability
the inverse of conflict theory
each group in society has a role to play in the overall health and operation of society (think of society as an organism, and each group as organs or cells)
the different groups work together in an unconscious, almost automatic way toward maintenance of equilibrium
weakness: explaining social change, how individuals interact within a group
defn: function (structural-functionalism)
each social group’s role
the contribution made by that group to the system
who are the important people behind
- symbolic interactionism
- conflict theory
- structural functionalism
- George Herbert Mead = symbolic interactionism
- conflict theory = Karl Marx
- structural functionalism = Emile Durkheim
defn: latent vs. manifest function
MANIFEST FUNCTION = an intended consequence of the actions of a group within society
LATENT FUNCTION = unintended but beneficial consequences of an organization or institution
defn: dysfunctions
negative consequences of the existence of an institution, organization, or interaction
defn: feminist theory
sociological theory
critiques the institutional power structures that disadvantage women in society
from a conflict theory perspective: men seek to preserve power (patriarchal)
defn: glass ceiling
processes that limit the progress of women to the highest job positions because of invisible social barriers to promotion
defn: glass escalator
even in cases where men do not seek to climb the job ladder, invisible social forces sometimes push men up to higher positions
defn: social instituions
well-established social structures that dictate certain patterns of behavior or relationships and are accepted as a fundamental part of culture
regulate the behavior of individuals in core areas of society
meso
what are 5 examples of social institutions? + their defn/roles on a large sociological scale
- family = closely tied to individual, food, shelter, security, intimacy, life rituals; regulate reproduction, socialize and protect children
- education = provide population with a set of skills that will be useful to them or society
- religion = a pattern of social activities around a set of beliefs and practices that seek to address the meaning of existence
- government and economy = systematic arrangements of political and capital relationships, activities, and social structures that affect rule making, representation of the individual in society, rights and privileges, division of labor, and production of goods and services
- healthcare and medicine = aimed at maintaining or improving the health status of the individual, family, community, and society
defn: hidden curriculum
the social latent function of education of transmitting social norms, attitudes, and beliefs to students
defn: teacher expectancy
teachers tend to get what they expect from students
defn: religiosity
how religious one considers oneself to be
includes strength of religious beliefs, engagement in religious practices, and attitudes about religion itself
what are the 5 major religions?
- Buddhism
- Christianity
- Hinduism
- Islam
- Judaism
defn: cult
a religious sect takes on extreme or deviant philosophies and transforms
defn: secularization
movement from a world dominated by religion toward rationality and scientific thinking
defn: fundamentalism
maintenance of strict adherence to religious code
defn: democracy vs. monarchy vs. dictatorship vs. theocracy
DEMOCRACY = every citizen has a political voice, usually through. elected representatives
MONARCHY = a royal ruler whose powers may be limited by the presence of a constitution, parliamentary system, or other legislative body
DICTATORSHIP = a single person holds power, usually includes mechanisms to quell threats to this power
THEOCRACY = power is held by religious leaders
