Chapter 1

Question 1

Two main macroanalytical approaches are

Answer 1

functional theory and critical theory

Question 2

the major microanalytical theory is

Answer 2

symbolic interactionalism

Question 3

Who invented the term sociologie

Answer 3

Auguste Comte

Question 4

Positivism was determined by who? What is it?

Answer 4

Auguste Comte. A way of understanding and studying society based on the scientific method

Question 5

What did Auguste Comte believe?

Answer 5

the major goal of sociology was to understand society as it actually operates. His positivism provided a foundation for quantitative method.

Question 6

Quantitative Methods

Answer 6

use of measurement, usually statistics. This involves controlled experiments and questionnaires

Question 7

Qualitative Methods

Answer 7

captures the subjective character of social life. Focuses on how people understand their lives. For example, open ended questions, participant observation

Question 8

2 general approaches to sociology

Answer 8

Micro sociology and Macrosociology

Question 9

What is micro sociology?

Answer 9

small scale studied face to face interaction allows to focus on the individual

Question 10

What is macro sociology?

Answer 10

The big picture. Study of institutions such as social classes or religions

Question 11

Functional Theory suggests

Answer 11

human society is like an organism. Institutions work together to form a society

Question 12

Emile Durkheim supported what theory

Answer 12

functional theory

Question 13

An Anomie

Answer 13

lack of moral regulation from group. Weak norms result in little guidance for individuals, increase in crime and social problems

Question 14

Social Facts

Answer 14

general social features such as laws, language, fashion, manners. They are independent of and containing upon the individual

Question 15

Robert Merton suggested

Answer 15

social structures have many functions: manifest and latent.

Question 16

What are latent functions

Answer 16

the largely unrecognized and unintended consequences of an action or social pattern

Question 17

What are manifest functions

Answer 17

the recognized and intended consequences of an action or social pattern

Question 18

3 criticisms of functional theory

Answer 18

can’t account for social change very well, overemphasis on harmony, conflict not given enough attention

Question 19

Critical Theory

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Who thinks that what really matters is the conflict between social classes

Answer 20

Karl Marx

Question 21

2 critiques of critical theory

Answer 21

neglect time of relative consensus and if overly political it can’t claim to be scientific

Question 22

Symbolic Interactionalism fits with what type of research?

Answer 22

qualitative research

Question 23

S.I focueses on the

Answer 23

subjective worlds/inner lives. How people interpret what is going on and their assigned meanings to things

Question 24

Who focused on “The definition of the situation”? What is this

Answer 24

W.I. Thomas. The actors point of view or interpretation of events. We interpret before we act.

Question 25

What is the thomas theorem?

Answer 25

If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences

Question 26

Herbert Blumer Suggested

Answer 26

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

Question 27

2 Criticisms of SI

Answer 27

Theory allows for too much agency and focuses on meanings and processes neglects the inflexible reality of social structures

Question 28

Social Structure

Answer 28

any enduring pattern of social relations, especially institutions like the family, religion or the economy

Question 29

Social Institution

Answer 29

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

Question 30

The common goal of feminist theory

Answer 30

the critique of patriarchy - a social system in which males as a group posses more power than females

Question 31

Feminist Research Assumptions include (4)

Answer 31

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.

Question 32

Patricia Hill Collins discussed

Answer 32

intersectionality

Question 33

Feminist theory needs to account for

Answer 33

the intersection of race, class and gender

Question 34

Postmodern Theory

Answer 34

a perspective that focuses on how knowledge is socially produced, especially through discourses

Question 35

Michel Foucault focused on the relationship between

Answer 35

knowledge and power

Question 36

discourse

Answer 36

any system of ideas that influence how people think about that related issue

Question 37

Postmodernists are deeply skeptical of

Answer 37

meta-narratives/universal truths