Ch 4: Sociological Theories and Social Institutions (Princeton Review)

Question 1

What is the definition of a society?

Answer 1

A group of people who share a culture and live/interact with each other within a definable area.

p. 63

Question 2

There are 4 major sociological theories that explain society. The first two are macro level theories. Name them.

Answer 2

Functionalism and conflict theory

p. 63

Question 3

There are 4 major sociological theories that explain society. The 3rd and 4th two are micro-level theories. Name them.

Answer 3

Symbolic interactionism and social constructionism (the latter can actually be macro or micro depending on the context)

p. 63

Question 4

What major theory of sociology conceptualizes society as a living organism and which philosopher founded it?

Answer 4

Functionalism was founded by Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)

p. 63

Question 5

Who is credited by many to be the founder of sociology?

Answer 5

Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)

Question 6

Durkheim who was a proponent of functionalism, argued that for society to thrive, all the interdependent parts must work together to keep society ordered, balanced, and stable. What a healthy society faces an imbalance or crisis, functionalist theory proposes that the major structures of society will work together to return to a state of _______ __________. Healthy societies can successfully achieve and maintain this state; unhealthy ones cannot.

Answer 6

dynamic equilibrium

p. 64

Question 7

In the functionalist framework, there is a distinction between manifest and latent functions. Explain manifest and latent functions.

Answer 7

Manifest functions are the official, intended, and anticipated consequences of a structure.

Latent functions are consequences of a structure that are not officially sought or sanctioned and may be beneficial, neutral, or harmful.

p. 64

Question 8

Conflict theory views society as a never ending competition for _______ _________ and at least in some respects, conflict theory is diametrically opposed to the functionalist perspective.

Answer 8

limited resources

p. 64

Question 9

Karl Marx believed that the working class is oppressed and exploited by the capitalist bourgeois class that pays the members of the working class only a fraction of the __________ _____ of their labor.

Answer 9

production value

p. 65

Question 10

According to conflict theorists, this unequal social order is maintained through ideological coercion that creates societal consensus, or hegemony – a _______ __________ of the values, expectations, and conditions as determined by the capitalist class.

Answer 10

coerced acceptance

p. 65

Question 11

What is one key difference between the beliefs of Karl Marx and Max Weber?

Answer 11

Weber did not believe that the collapse of capitalism was inevitable.

p. 65

Question 12

The major criticism of conflict theory is that it focuses too much on competition and does not recognize the role of stability within society. Critics of conflict theory contend that conflict theorists focus too myopically* on ________ factors, view society only from the perspective of those who lack power, and ignore the __________ ways in which people and groups can reach pragmatic agreements for the good of society as a whole.

Answer 12

economic
cooperative

• short-sighted; nearsighted
  p. 66

Question 13

According to symbolic interactionism, individuals can make sense of the world around them by ascribing meaning to the symbols and language of their shared culture, and these meanings depend on both individual interpretations and ______ _______.

Answer 13

social context

Question 14

Herbert Mead’s work is considered to be one of the most important in the initial development of symbolic interactionism. He believed that the self is developed through what three important activities?

Answer 14

language, games, and play

p. 66

Question 15

A specific type of interactionist philosophy is called the ____________ ________, which was developed by Erving Goffman. This paradigm views people as theatrical performers and everyday life as a stage.

Answer 15

dramaturgical approach

p. 67

Question 16

Social constructionism argues that people actively _____ their reality through social interactions; reality is therefore something that is socially constructed rather than ________.

Answer 16

shape
inherent

p. 67

Question 17

What viewpoint is challenged by both social constructionism and symbolic interactionism?

Answer 17

The scientific viewpoint that there is one objective reality shared by all humans.

p. 67

Question 18

A major difference between social constructionism and symbolic interactionism is that…

Answer 18

….symbolic interactionism is focused on the micro level. Social constructionism examines the constructs of society from both macro and micro-sociological perspectives.

p. 68

Question 19

Feminist theory is concerned with….

Answer 19

….the social experiences of both men and women and differences between these experiences.

Question 20

In all __________ _______ theories, individuals seek to maximize the benefits they gain and minimize the disadvantages they sustain in all of their social interactions.

Answer 20

rational choice

Question 21

What two assumptions is utilitarianism based on?

Answer 21

(1) that individual humans are rational in their actions
(2) that in every human interaction, individuals will seek to maximize their own self-interest

p. 69

Question 22

Over history, families have tended to serve 5 functions. Try to name them.

Answer 22

1. ) reproduction and monitoring of sexual behavior
2. ) protection
3. ) socialization – passing down norms and values of society
4. ) affection and companionship
5. ) social status – social position is often based on family background and reputation

p. 69

Question 23

What is the term for a man married to more than one woman?

What about a woman married to more than one man?

Answer 23

polygyny

polyandry (think androgens - many men)

Question 24

If kin groups involve both the maternal and paternal relations, this is called _________ _______.

Answer 24

bilateral descent

p. 70

Question 25

What are the 4 categories of child abuse:

Answer 25

physical abuse
emotional abuse
sexual abuse
neglect

p. 71

Question 26

What is the name of the theory which describes how teachers tend to form expectations of individual students, and if the student accepts the teacher’s expectations as reasonable, the student will begin to perform in accordance with them as well?

Answer 26

Teacher expectancy theory

p. 72

Question 27

What are the 4 forms of religions organizations?

Answer 27

Ecclesia (dominant religious organization, integrated into political institutions; example: Islam)

Church

Sect (often formed from breaking away from larger religious instutions; example: Mormonism, Amish community

Cult/ new religious movement: far outside society’s norms, often involves a very different lifestyle

p. 72

Question 28

What paradigm posits that individuals develop a sense of self, or identity, through the interactions and relationships that they have with others? The theory suggests that social relationships are fundamental for individuals to develop a sense of who they are. Note this paradigm focuses on communication, the exchange of information through language and symbols.

Answer 28

Symbolic interactionism

[Practice exam 4; p. 402]