Chapter 1 - Training Your Sociological Eye

Question 1

Sociology

Answer 1

The study of society, including how individuals both shape and are shaped by society.

Question 2

What do the sociological eye and the sociological imagination allow you to do?

Answer 2

To notice and make sense of social patterns in ways that enable you to understand how society works and how to help influence it

Question 3

Sociological eye

Answer 3

Enables you to see what others may not notice. It allows you to peer beneath the surface of a situation and discern social patterns

Notice racial, gender, and social status patterns

Question 4

Sociological imagination

Answer 4

The ability to connect what is happening in your own life and in the lives of other individuals to social patterns in the larger society.

Connect personal experience to patterns
Relationship between individuals and society
Need to understand both

Question 5

Social Science

Answer 5

A scientific discipline that studies how society works. As social scientists, sociologists follow rules to make sure our research is transparent and replicable and that others can confirm or refute our findings.

There are different types of research that sociologists can conduct. They include surveys, interviewing people, analyzing existing documents (books, articles, and videos), visual studies and field research. Each type of research has its own rules that sociologists should follow to help ensure the information collected is accurate and unbiased.

Collect and analyze data
Follow scientific rules
Be transparent

Question 6

Theoretical perspectives

Answer 6

Paradigms, or ways of viewing the world. They help us make sense of the social patterns we observe, and they determine the questions we ask.

Question 7

Generalizations

Answer 7

Statements, backed by evidence, used to describe groups of people or things in overall terms, with the understanding that there can always be exceptions.

Question 8

Stereotypes

Answer 8

Negative ideas about groups of people that lack evidence. They are considered “bad generalizations.” Throughout the history of the United States, many, if not most, immigrant groups have been subjected to stereotypes. Stereotypes have been the basis for discriminatory and differential treatment by those in positions of power.

Negative, predetermined ideas about groups
Justifies discriminatory treatment
Not based on evidence

Question 9

Good generalizations

Answer 9

The purpose of good generalizations is to describe groups. These generalizations are data-driven and do not impose values on what is being described. Over time, data may reveal changes and such changes will be reflected in the generalizations.

Based on research

Describe, not judge

Descriptions change with new data

Question 10

Sociologists - Two core commitments

Answer 10

The first core commitment of sociology is to use the sociological eye to observe social patterns. The second requires noticing patterns of injustice and taking action to challenge those patterns.

By identifying problematic social patterns, people can take action to reduce or eliminate those problems. Noticing problems isn’t enough and anyone can strive to make the world a better place.

Question 11

How can sociology benefit both individuals and society?

Answer 11

Through gaining a sociological perspective, you will learn to notice and deal with patterns others do not recognize; act more effectively in groups and with members of different cultures; collect, analyze, and explain information; and influence your society.

Sociological knowledge is useful in any career you can imagine.

Question 12

Auguste Comte

Answer 12

French philosopher gave sociology its name; envisioned it as the science that would help steer society safely through great changes.

Comte gave sociology its name and regarded as the father of positivism: idea that valid knowledge about the world can only be derived from using the scientific method

Question 13

Fallacy of Individualistic Perspective

Answer 13

The key point is decision-making is influenced, and often constrained, by social forces. Individuals make choices in their lives, such as, where to go to college, what extra-curricular activities to engage in, where to live, what clothing to buy, and so forth. These choices are influenced by other factors, such as, how much money a person has

Question 14

Five Characteristics of a science

Answer 14

Theoretical: A theory is a statement of how and why specific facts are related
Cumulative: A process a including or adding together all of the things that came before
Empirical: Empirical evidence is information we verify with our senses.
Objective: A process based on facts rather than feelings or opinions: not influenced by feelings
Systematics: A process using a careful system or method: presented or formulated as a coherent body of ideas or principles

Question 15

Albion Woodbury Small

Answer 15

May 11, 1854 — Mar 24, 1926

Established first sociology department
“Small left Colby in 1892 to become the first professor of sociology at the new University of Chicago, the earliest position of its kind in the United States. At the University, he founded the first accredited department of sociology in an American university, foremost in the world to offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Under his leadership as department head, it became the major center for sociology during the first thirty years of the twentieth century

Question 16

W.E.B. DuBois

Answer 16

(1868-1963)

Offered the concept of the color line: a barrier supported by customs and laws separating nonwhites from whites, especially with regard to their roles in the division of labor
Sociologist, Author & Civil Rights Leader, Helped establish the NAACP
Children learn more from what you are than what you teach.
Dubois was the first African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1896. Between 1897 and 1914 Dubois conducted numerous studies of black society in America, publishing 16 research papers.
Du Bois conducted the first large-scale, empirical sociological research in the United States.
He began his investigations believing that social science could provide answers to race problems. Gradually he concluded that in a climate of virulent racism, social change could only be accomplished by agitation and protest.

Question 17

Foundational Sociology

Answer 17

The use of sociological theories, concepts, and methods to examine topics of interest for the purpose of communicating those findings primarily to academic audiences

Question 18

Applied Sociology

Answer 18

The use of those same theories, concepts, and methods to carry out the same examinations with the primary purpose of translating findings to improve the understanding of non-academic audiences (clients, communities, policy, etc).

Question 19

Clinical Sociology

Answer 19

the use of those same theories, concepts, and methods to carry out the same examinations with the primary purpose to not only translate findings, but also design, implement, and evaluate interventions meant to improve outcomes and solve challenges.” (Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology. , 2020)