Chapter 1

Question 1

What is sociology

Answer 1

Systematic study of human behavior

Question 2

What does sociology focus on?

Answer 2

Focuses on the influence of social relationships on peoples attitudes and behaviours an how societies are established and change

Question 3

What is the difference between common sense and sociology?

Answer 3

Common sense is not systematic (planned or fixed, not done in the use of order)

Question 4

Why do people try to understand the rules of society

Answer 4

Economic factors, social factors, political factors

Question 5

Sociological imagination

Answer 5

Awareness of the relationship between an individual and the wider society - see ourselves within the bigger picture

Mills

Question 6

Sociology and common sense

Answer 6

Theories and opinions typically come from common sense

Question 7

What is sociological theory?

Answer 7

• theories are an attempt to explain events, ideas, or behaviours in a comprenensive manner
• a template containing definition and relationships used to organize and understand the social world

-A theory may have explanatory power, predictive power or both

Question 8

What is society?

Answer 8

A society is a large social group that shares the same geographical territory and is subject to the same political authority and dominant nature

Question 9

Structure vs agency

Answer 9

Structure: are existing arrangements that influence our behaviour (patterns)
- example: women wear skirts, men don’t, its weird it they do

Agency: choices we make structure sett the boundaries for agency
- example: government, police, etc…

Question 10

Sociological perspective

Answer 10

Allows US to see the general in particular, the strange in familiar

Berger

Question 11

Augusta Comte

Answer 11

Believed that a theoretical science of society and systematic investigation of behaviour was needed t0 improve society

• interested in order and progress
• used the term positivism to refer to the approach that defends the use of a scientific approach to understanding society

Question 12

Emile Durkheim

Answer 12

Developed a theory to explain now individual behaviour can be understood within a social context, not just in individual terms

• the role of social bonds
  -If religion was more strict = less suicide

Anomie: a sense of estrangement in society, loss of direction
- may result in taking their own lives

Question 13

Karl Marx

Answer 13

Group identification

Alienation: a feeling of powerlessness from other people and oneself

Question 14

Robert Merton

Answer 14

Macrosociology: concentrated on large-scale phenomena or enter civilizations

Microsociology: study of small groups and uses experimental study

Question 15

Max Weber

Answer 15

Verstenen: understanding, insight

To fully comprehend behaviour are must learn now they themselves view and explain their behaviour,
- put yourself in their shoes
(Verstehen)

Ideal type: made up model
- identifies various types of bureaucracy as an ideal type

Question 16

Functionalist perspective

Answer 16

• Each part of an organism contributes to its survival

Manifest functions: stated functions - intended consequences (conscious)
Latent functions: unintended - unplanned consequences (unconscious)
Dysfunctions: unintended function of institution -disrupt social order

Question 17

Conflict perspective

Answer 17

See world as continual struggle
- competing groups
- dominant and subordinate groups
- history proceeds through a series of stages

Question 18

Feminist sociology (conflict)

Answer 18

• Deny opportunitiesto some, based in gender, sex and sexual orientation
• gender inequality