chapter 1

Question 1

sociology definition

Answer 1

systematic study of human society

Question 2

society definition

Answer 2

people who live in a defined territory and share a culture

Question 3

auguste comte

Answer 3

“father” of sociology
positivism: knowledge is based on facts instead of mere speculation
society operates on laws just like physical world

Question 4

comte’s 3 stages of society

Answer 4

1. theological stage: religious view that society expressed god’s will
   ex. the church in the middle ages
2. metaphysical stage: society is natural not supernatural, reflects humankind’s selfish shortcomings instead of god’s will
   ex. renaissance, enlightenment ideas of Locke
3. scientific stage: scientific approaches to studying the world

Question 5

sociological perspective

Answer 5

the special point of view of sociology that sees general patterns of society in the lives of particular people

Question 6

Emile Durkheim: Suicide Studies

Answer 6

those with weaker social ties were more likely to commit suicide
freedom weakens social ties, so does being rich
indigenous peoples 2x more likely to commit suicide bc of lack of social integration

Question 7

how modernity changed society

Answer 7

A new industrial economy
factories took people away from their homes, weakening old traditions
The growth of cities
cities created anomie
Political change
growth of cities caused people to shift political views to equality
A new awareness of society
being in cities causes people to be more individualistic

Question 8

Applying the Sociological Perspective

Answer 8

1. The sociological perspective helps us assess the truth of ‘common sense’
2. The sociological perspective helps is see the opportunities and constraints in our lives
3. The sociological perspective empowers us to be active participants in our society
4. The sociological perspective helps us live in a diverse world

Question 9

Structural Functional Approach

Answer 9

def: a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability

Comte, Durkheim, and Herbert Spencer all contributed to the structural-functional approach

Question 10

Robert K. Merton

Answer 10

distinguished between manifest and latent functions within society, also recognized social dysfunction

Question 11

Social Conflict Approach

Answer 11

sees society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict & change

Question 12

Gender-Conflict Theory

Answer 12

the study of society that focuses on inequality and conflict between women and men

Question 13

Race-Conflict Theory

Answer 13

the study of society that focuses on inequality and conflict between people of different racial and ethnic categories

Question 14

macro-level orientation

Answer 14

broad focus on structures that shape society as a whole

Question 15

micro-level orientation

Answer 15

close-up focus on social interaction in specific social situations

Question 16

symbolic-interaction approach

Answer 16

a framework for building theory that sees society as the product of the everyday interactions of individuals

Question 17

3 types of sociology

Answer 17

positivist sociology: the study of society based on scientific observation of social behaviour (Comte, Durkheim)
interpretive sociology: the study of society that focuses on discovering the meanings people attach to their social world (Weber - verstehen)
critical sociology: the study of society that focuses on the need for social change

Question 18

how gender affects research

Answer 18

androcentricity (approaching things from the male perspective)
overgeneralizing
gender blindness
double standards
interference