Chapter 1 Flashcards
what is globalization
the process of increasing the connection between countries through trade, communication, and cultural exchange
what is sociological imagination
the ability to understand how personal experiences relate to larger social issues
what is social structure
- Invisible framework that shapes how society is organized.
- Includes institutions like family, government, education, and economy.
- Creates roles and hierarchies (e.g., teachers vs. students, bosses vs. employees).
- Guides behavior through laws, traditions, and social norms.
- Affects opportunities and inequalities based on factors like class, race, and gender.
what does social structure shape
how people behave and connect with each other
what is social construction
a concept, idea, or category that is not inherently real but is created and given meaning through shared social agreements and interactions within a society, essentially meaning that the reality of something is constructed by the way people collectively perceive and understand it,
How does sociology help us disentangle what is biological from what is socially constructed
Sociology shows how society shapes behaviors and norms, helping separate biological traits from social constructs like gender and beauty standards.
how does the concept of social structure help sociologists better understand social phenomena
It reveals how society influences individuals and groups.
what are social facts
- Durkheim’s Idea: Social facts exist outside individuals and shape behavior.
- External & Controlling: Society imposes them on people.
- Examples: Laws, norms, language, religion, money.
- Objective & Persistent: Exist regardless of personal beliefs.
- Purpose: Maintain social order.
what is organic solidarity
- Social unity based on differences and interdependence (like in modern societies).
- People have specialized roles (e.g., doctors, teachers, farmers) and rely on each other.
- Found in complex, industrialized societies with diverse jobs and lifestyles.
- Tied together by cooperation rather than similarity.
- Coined by Émile Durkheim to describe how societies function as a system, like a body with different organs
what is social constraint
the limitations and expectations that society places on individuals
what is divison of labor
the way different tasks within a society are assigned to different individuals or groups, essentially meaning that people specialize in specific roles, leading to a more complex social structure and increased efficiency in production.
what is anomie
a state of normlessness or a breakdown of social norms and values within a society, causing individuals to feel disconnected and without clear purpose or guidance, often leading to feelings of alienation and confusion; the term was coined by French sociologist Émile Durkheim.
what is materialist conception of history
associated with Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, is a theory that argues the primary driving force behind historical change is the economic structure of a society, meaning the way people produce goods and the relationships between social classes within that mode of production, rather than ideas or ideologies; essentially, the economic base shapes all other aspects of society, including politics, culture, and social institutions.
what is bureaucracy
a system of organization that uses rules and procedures to manage an institution
what is rationalization
the process of replacing traditional, emotional, or value-based motivations for behavior with rational thought and logic, essentially meaning that people increasingly base their actions on reason and calculation rather than customs or beliefs, a concept primarily attributed to German sociologist Max Weber
according to karl marx, what are the two differences between the two classes that make up a capital society
the bourgeoisie, the capitalists who own the means of production, and the much larger proletariat (or ‘working class’) who must sell their own labour power
in what ways did webers interperation of modern development differ from marx
While Marx primarily viewed modern development as driven by economic factors like class struggle and the exploitation of labor, Weber emphasized the role of non-economic elements like culture, ideas, and rationalization, believing that these factors played a significant role in shaping social structures and the development of modern societies, particularly through the concept of the “iron cage” of bureaucracy.
what is symbolic interactionism
on how people create meaning through social interactions
- micro level
what is functionalism
a school of thought proposed by William James, which suggests that the mind’s primary purpose is to help humans adapt to their environment
- macro level
what are manifest functions
the intended and recognized consequences of a social pattern or institution
what are latent functions
the unintended and unrecognized consequences of a social action, institution, or behavior
what is conflict theory
views society as a constant struggle between groups over limited resources
- macro
what is marxism
a political, economic, and social philosophy that analyzes the history of class struggle and advocates for a communist society
what is feminist theory
a critical analysis of gender inequality and power dynamics, focusing on how societal structures and systems perpetuate the oppression of women, aiming to dismantle these structures and achieve full social, economic, and political equality for all genders
what is feminism
a social movement that advocates for equal rights and opportunities for all people, regardless of gender
what is rational choice approach
a theory that assumes people make choices to maximize their own benefit
- micro
what is postmodernism
a reaction against the ideas and values of modernism
- neither micro or macro
What are the differences between symbolic interactionism and functionalist approaches to the analysis of society?
Symbolic Interactionism is a microsociological analysis of the use of symbols and face-to-face interaction, with special importance on language. Functionalism is a macro sociological analysis of the relationships between the parts of society and its functions.
How do rational choice theorists explain human behavior?
Rational choice theorists explain things that seem irrational. They believe that nearly all behavior (with the exception of love) is a rational response to a social situation.
What role does theory play in sociological research?
Theories, especially a diversity of theories, provides a rich source of ideas for research and stimulates imaginative capacity to progress sociological work.
Describe three ways that sociology can help us in our lives?
It can give us a sense of awareness of cultural differences, let us assess the effects of policies, and provide self-enlightenment.
What skills and perspectives do sociologists bring to their work?
Sociologists need to develop a social conscience and set aside personal views to see what shapes our lives.
what is social order
the structured arrangement of norms, values, roles, and institutions within a society that guides individuals’ behavior, maintains stability, and regulates interactions
what is Agency & structure
“agency” refers to an individual’s capacity to make choices and act independently, while “structure” refers to the established patterns and social systems that influence or limit those choices
what is social change
alteration of the social order of a society which may include changes in social institutions, social behaviours or social relations.
Sociology Arose
800s to Understand Massive Social Change
What figures developed sociolgical thickings
- Auguste Comte
- Emile Durkheim
- Karl Marx
- Max Weber
- Alexis De TOCQUEVILLE
- Harriet MARTINEAU
- W.E.B. DU BOIS
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE
- Book: Democracy in America I & II
- Focus of study: Examining the social and political conditions of the United States, particularly the concept of democracy and its implications
- Democracy & Equality without a ruling class?
- example of Ethnographic Work
HARRIET MARTINEAU
- First female sociologist - 50 books +
- Fieldwork in America - “Was America living up to its constitution?”
– Status of women / education / power &
authority
– Slavery problematic
– Observational methods
W.E.B. DU BOIS
- 1st African-American graduate from Harvard
- Co founder of the NAACP
DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS
- the experience of having multiple identities or selves, which can make it hard to develop a sense of self
- Blacks have two identities
- Du Bois’ concept of “The Veil” walking in the social world but not seen by
the dominant group (covering up “a problem”)
MODERN THEORETICAL
APPROACHES
- SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
- FUNCTIONALISM
- CONFLICT THEORIES
- RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY
- POSTMODERN THEORY
