Chapter 1 Flashcards
Two main macroanalytical approaches are
functional theory and critical theory
the major microanalytical theory is
symbolic interactionalism
Who invented the term sociologie
Auguste Comte
Positivism was determined by who? What is it?
Auguste Comte. A way of understanding and studying society based on the scientific method
What did Auguste Comte believe?
the major goal of sociology was to understand society as it actually operates. His positivism provided a foundation for quantitative method.
Quantitative Methods
use of measurement, usually statistics. This involves controlled experiments and questionnaires
Qualitative Methods
captures the subjective character of social life. Focuses on how people understand their lives. For example, open ended questions, participant observation
2 general approaches to sociology
Micro sociology and Macrosociology
What is micro sociology?
small scale studied face to face interaction allows to focus on the individual
What is macro sociology?
The big picture. Study of institutions such as social classes or religions
Functional Theory suggests
human society is like an organism. Institutions work together to form a society
Emile Durkheim supported what theory
functional theory
An Anomie
lack of moral regulation from group. Weak norms result in little guidance for individuals, increase in crime and social problems
Social Facts
general social features such as laws, language, fashion, manners. They are independent of and containing upon the individual
Robert Merton suggested
social structures have many functions: manifest and latent.
What are latent functions
the largely unrecognized and unintended consequences of an action or social pattern
What are manifest functions
the recognized and intended consequences of an action or social pattern
3 criticisms of functional theory
can’t account for social change very well, overemphasis on harmony, conflict not given enough attention
Critical Theory
Main focus is on inequality. Power is at the core of all social relationships, scarce resources, unequally divided among members of society. Social structures and cultural ideas do not reflect the interests of society as a whole but only the interests of some members of society
Who thinks that what really matters is the conflict between social classes
Karl Marx
2 critiques of critical theory
neglect time of relative consensus and if overly political it can’t claim to be scientific
Symbolic Interactionalism fits with what type of research?
qualitative research
S.I focueses on the
subjective worlds/inner lives. How people interpret what is going on and their assigned meanings to things
Who focused on “The definition of the situation”? What is this
W.I. Thomas. The actors point of view or interpretation of events. We interpret before we act.
What is the thomas theorem?
If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences
Herbert Blumer Suggested
SI rests on three premises. Humans act towards things on the basis of the meanings that the things have for them. These meanings arise out of interaction with others. These meanings are accepted, modified or rejected through interaction with others
2 Criticisms of SI
Theory allows for too much agency and focuses on meanings and processes neglects the inflexible reality of social structures
Social Structure
any enduring pattern of social relations, especially institutions like the family, religion or the economy
Social Institution
one kind of social structure made up of a number of relationships. People use institutions to achieve their intended goals as student use school or patients use hospitals
The common goal of feminist theory
the critique of patriarchy - a social system in which males as a group posses more power than females
Feminist Research Assumptions include (4)
the social experiences of women routinely differ from mens, therefore women and men view the world differently. Research data should not be viewed simplistically as out there, waiting to be collected. Reflexivity is crucial.
Patricia Hill Collins discussed
intersectionality
Feminist theory needs to account for
the intersection of race, class and gender
Postmodern Theory
a perspective that focuses on how knowledge is socially produced, especially through discourses
Michel Foucault focused on the relationship between
knowledge and power
discourse
any system of ideas that influence how people think about that related issue
Postmodernists are deeply skeptical of
meta-narratives/universal truths
