Chapter 1 Flashcards
Sociology and the Real World
Sociology
The study of human society and social behavior, from large scale institutions to small groups and individual interactions
Society
A group of people who shape their lives in patterned ways that distinguish their group from others
Howard Becker (1986)
Said that sociology can be understood by people “doing things together.” No one lives in isolation.
Social Sciences
Uses the scientific method to examine the social world in contrast to the natural sciences
Sociological perspective
Looking at the world in a unique way, or through a sociological lens
Bernard McGrane
Beginner’s mind sees the world without previous knowledge to see things in a new way
Culture Shock
Disorientation when you enter a new culture or environment
Sociological Imagination
Founded by C. Wright Mills (1916-1962). It allows us to understand the relationship between individual circumstances and larger social forces. Our problems may be due to larger works, cultural or historical causes
Levels of Analysis
Macro-sociology and Micro-sociology
Micro-sociology
The interactions between individuals in order to understand how they affect the larger patterns and institutions
Pam Fishman in the 60s and 70s
Experiment that saw that women are inferior during conversation to men
Macro-sociology
Studies the large social structures in order to determine how they affect the lives of individuals
Christine Williams
Define “glass ceiling” and “glass escalator”
“Glass ceiling” is a term that shows that women have a hard time succeeding in men jobs
“Glass escalator” is a term that shows that men have an easy time succeeding in women jobs
Theories
Are abstract propositions that explain the social world and make predictions about the future
Paradigms
Or perspectives; are assumptions, theories and perspectives that make up a way of understanding social reality
Auguste Comte (1798-1857) Define "Social physics" and "Positivism"
“Social physics” is the scientific study of society
“Positivism” are perceptions, that are the only valid source of knowledge
He coined the term “sociology”
What is the Macro-Micro continuum
Society Culture Social institutions (economics, politics, education, religion) Social inequality (class, race, gender) Groups Roles Socialization Interaction Self
Harriet Martineau (1802-1903)
Endorsed labor unions, abolition of slavery, and women’s suffrage. She also translated Comte’s work to English.
Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) Define Social Darwinism
Social Darwinism: the application of the theory of evolution and “survival of the fittest” to the study of society
Structural Functionalism
Assumption that society is a unified whole that functions because of the contributions of its separate functions.
The founder is Emile Durkheim.
Organic Solidarity
Social bonds based on independence and individual rights.
Mechanical Solidarity
To describe the type of social bonds present in premodern, agrarian societies, in which shared traditions and beliefs create a sense of social cohesion.
Anomie
Alienation, loss of purpose.
Suicide was a result of one anomie; the more connected to family, the less anomie an individual feels.
Solidarity
The degree of integration or unity within society. The extent an individual feel connected to members of their group.
Sacred
Holy, divine, or supernatural.
Profane
The ordinary, mundane, or everyday.
Collective Effervescence
An intense energy in shared events where people feel swept up in something larger than themselves.
Collective Conscience
The shared morals and beliefs that are common to a group and which foster social solidarity.
Empirical
Based in scientific experimentation or observation.
Structure
A social institution that is stable over time and meets the needs of society.
Dysfunction
A disturbance causing a change in structure.
Functionalism
Society is made up of stable structures that have a function that contributes to stability.
Robert Merton
Manifest Function and Latent Functions
Manifest Function: Obvious functions of structure.
Latent Functions: Less obvious or unintended functions of a social structure
Ex. Schools are to teach children(MF) but also keep them busy(LF)
Conflict Theory
That sees social conflict as the basis of society and social change. Founded by Karl Marx
Means of Production
Anything that can create wealth
Proletariat
Are workers. They don’t have means of production.
Bourgeoisie
Are the owners who own the means of production.
Socialism
A political system based on state ownership or control of the economy to reduce social inequality.
Ideology
A system of beliefs, attitudes and values that directs a society and reproduces that status quo of the bourgeoisie.
False Consciousness
Denial of the truth on inequalities of the class structure and power oppression.
Class Consciousness
Recognition of social inequality by the oppressed, leading to revolutionary action.
Dialectical Model
Two positions get into conflict, compromise and then the synthesis of new social arrangements.
Critical Theory
–> of conflict theory
Criticizes systems of domination and oppression.
Feminist theory
Approach that looks at gender inequalities in society.
Queer Theory
Proposes that sexual identity are social constructs and that there isn’t a normal identity.
Praxis
Action taken base on intellectual or theoretical understanding.
Weberian Theory
Founded by Max Weber(1864-1920). Believed that industrialized societies are characterized by bureaucracies. Is the bridge for macro to micro theories.
Rationalization
Application of economic logic to human activity.
Iron Cage
Max Weber’s description of modern life, where we are caught in bureaucratic structures that control our lives.
Disenchantment
The rationalization of modern society.
Verstehen
Weber’s term to describe good social research, which tries to understand the meanings that individual social actors attach to various actions and events.
Symbolic Interactionism
Sees interaction and meaning as central to society and assumes meanings are created through interaction. Founded by George Herbert Mead(1863-1931).
Chicago School of Sociology or University of Chicago 1920’s
Albion Small, Robert Park, WI Thomas, Charles Horton Cooley, Mead and Herbert Blumer.
Pragmatism
Perspective that assumes organisms make practical adaptions to their environment.
WEB Dubois
Studied race relations, and was the founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Dramaturgy
The understanding of how people represent themselves.
Jane Addams
Established the Hull house. She believed woman have the tendency to care for others. Was the founder of social work.
Harold Garfinkel
Ethnomethodology
Background knowledge that sustains a shared sense of reality in everyday interactions.
Conversation Analysis
As everyday actors we are constantly analyzing and giving meaning to the social world.
Post Modern Theory
Social reality is diverse, pluralistic and constantly in flux. Founded by Jacques Derrida, Jean Baudrillard, and Michel Fouealt.
Midrange Theory
Integrates empiricism and the grand theory(made by classical theorists). Founded by Robert Merton.
