Chapter 1 - Sociological Imagination Flashcards
How do macro-level theories and micro-level theories differ?
Macro-level theories are large scale patterns such as studying class or gender. Micro-level theories are small scale patterns, interpersonal interaction and small groups.
What social theory did Durkheim contribute to?
Functionalism.
What are social facts?
Patterns of behaviour that characterize a group/community/nation
What were Durkheim’s contributions to sociology?
He is considered the father of functionalism.
The study of suicide rates and created the term social facts.
What is functionalism?
Functionalism is a macro-level theory. Society is a unit of interrelated parts working together; every part of society has a role so that everything can function properly.
What are manifest functions vs latent functions? (Robert Merton)
Manifest functions are the obvious and intended functions of something. Latent functions are the hidden or unintended functions of something.
Who is the main contributor of Conflict Theory?
Karl Marx.
What is Conflict Theory?
Conflict theory is a macro-level theory by Karl Marx. Every social interaction is based on the conflict between social classes - in capitalism this is between the bourgeoise (the owners of the means of production) and the proletariat.
What is critical race theory?
Related to Conflict Theory, Critical Race Theory focuses on the relations between law, race and power. Race as a social construct in order to further certain political or economic goals.
What social theory did Max Weber contribute to?
Symbolic interactionism.
What is Symbolic Interactionism?
Symbolic Interactionism is a micro-level theory about the face-to-face interactions between people. Symbols are things that we attach meanings to, and define the meaning of relationships to us. It concerns the subjective meanings of things.
What does “verstehen” mean?
Verstehen is to understand or grasp by insight, to understand the subjective meanings of things. A.k.a walking in another person’s shoes.
What is the Dramaturgy approach (Irving Goffman)?
The Dramaturgical theory is that for our social lives, we are actors that play certain roles in our lives depending on the context. (E.g. how you act with your friends vs. how you act with your grandparents)
Who is Harriet Martineau?
She was a feminist sociologist whose work was ignored during her time (1800s) because of sexism in academia and sociology. She was critical of American society and advocated for slavery abolition, worker’s rights and women’s rights.
What are the central characteristics of Feminist Theory?
Gender differences are socially constructed (products of socialization) rather than biologically determined. The understandings of gender inequality are that: men’s roles are more dominant/better, women’s roles are subordinate/less valued; and this is due to patriarchy.
