Chapter 1; Theories Flashcards
Sociology
systematic study of society
Sociological imagination
the ability to perceive the interconnectedness between individual experiences (micro level) and broader social forces (macro level)
What are the tools used to develop your sociological imagination
Empirical research methods, sociological theories, and critical thinking
How does sociology differ from other disciplines?
It focuses on meaningful connections between people
social statics
August Comt; forms of social organizations
social dynamics
August Comt; processes of social change
Empirical research methods
data collection that produces verifiable findings and is carried out using systematic procedures
Theory
set of propositions intended to explain a fact or phenomenon
What are the 3 approaches to theorizing?
positivist, interpretive, critical
what is the positivist approach and why do interpretive and critical theories reject it?
interest in explanation and prediction; examines relationships between variables to better understand society. Interpretive and critical theorizing rejects the positivist assumption of an objective “laws” that govern the way society works.
What is the Interpretive approach and what is its goal?
focuses on understanding themselves, the world, and others. presumes people are shaped through culture; the goal is to describe the role culture plays in shaping societies.
critical
focuses on emancipation and power
What is the functionalist perspective, what approach does it take, and what level perspective is it?
Emile Durkheim, positivist approach, macro-level perspective, Jenga analogy; views society as comprising of structures, each that fulfills important functions that keeps society operating smoothly. These structures can serve manifest functions and latent functions, and if there is latent dysfunction it is believed other structures will adapt to restore order. consensus and cooperation are fundamental to the maintenance of social order. Adaptable to small changes. Values and norms are widely held.
manifest functions
intended functions of an institution
latent functions
unintended functions of an institution that still have positive outcomes
latent dysfunction
unintended negative function of one of society’s structures
values
shared criteria by which we determine if something is right or wrong