Ch. 2 - Social Theory Flashcards
an overarching framework that suggests certain assumptions and assertions about the way the world works. These frameworks are used for posing research questions and evaluating evidence related to those questions
social theories
Social Theories are ________.
Systematic ideas that help explain the relationship between individuals and society
Some social theories are macro in nature and seek to explain ________.
Universal features of societies
Jennifer is a new student in sociology. She is having trouble in her theory class because none of her theories she is learning about seem to say the same things about society. As a more experienced sociology student, what might you say to Jennifer to help her understand why this is the case?
Sociology has multiple and competing theories and most sociologists draw on more than one at a time to make sense of their work.
How many themes do sociological theories have in common?
three
Sociological theories tend to have _____ areas of focus, but all have _______ in mind.
Different; the same goals
the sociological concept that refers to a group of people who share a similar social and economic position in society
classes
ancient societies, feudalism, capitalism
modes of production
one part of the modes of production; the technological and productive capacity of any society at a given point in time
forces of production
one part of the modes of production: the relationships and inequalities between different kinds of people within the economy
social relations of production
the group in a capitalist economy who owns businesses and employ people to work for them. This term is used in the Marxist tradition to refer to the most powerful class in a capitalist society
bourgeoisie
a resource that can be used to make investments
capital
individuals in capitalists economies who work in exchange for pay. “Working Class”
proletariat
in Marxist theory, a socialist mode of production is one in which the productive forces of society are collectively owned (not by individual business owners).
Socialist society
the idea that classes of people who are treated differently by the economic system is inevitably going to be in conflict with one another
class struggle
according to Durkheim, those regularities and rules of everyday life that exists independently and outside the control of individuals
social facts
all of the forms of social structure that any individual must operate within. Social forces are related to Durkheim’s facts
social forces
the process by which individuals come to understand the expectations and norms of their groups as well as the various roles they transition into over the life course and how to behave in society or in any particular social settings
socialization
the social forces that hold any society together
social solidarity
factors that hold primitive societies together, mostly through family and kinship ties and a collective consciousness shared by members of the community
mechanical solidarity
the specialization of individuals in any organization or group, or in society as a whole, particularly in relation to work.
division of labor
according to Emile Durkheim, as societies become more advanced, they are held together through the mutual dependence and interdependence individuals have with one another
organic solidarity
holy; worthy of special reverence
sacred
the study of the meanings individuals ascribe to their actions
interpretive sociology