Chapter 1 (Unveiling the Familiar: Cultivating a Sociological Imagination) Flashcards
What does sociology study?
Sociology studies the relationship between individuals and society
What are social facts?
Factors that influence our lives, constrain our actions, and compel us to take actions from external influence
What are social actions?
Collective action with the purpose of improving life (ex: Protests)
What are social relationships?
Relationships between friends, co-workers, and family
What is the sociological imagination?
A lens that allows us to understand ourselves in context to our history (aka connecting personal troubles to social issues)
Systemic issues… (two answers)
are not the fault of the individual
require systematic responses
What is the purpose of sociology?
Sociology is a way to make sense of a complex world —–> understand the hopes, desires, and worries of others to engender positive social contributions
What is sociology as a discipline?
A way to explore the world through systematic and scientific research —> show evidence and replicate
Whats the difference between sociological knowledge and common sense?
Common knowledge serves as an antidote to confirmation bias while sociological knowledge is based on a logical scientific approach of society
Are social things related?
Yes, social things are related (ex: Taxation and Politics)
What does sociological knowledge aim to do?
It aims to improve science of society and do something with this information
What are the three scales of research in analyzing society?
Micro-sociology, macro-sociology, and institutional perspectives
What is microsociology?
smaller usually interpersonal relations
What is microsociology?
Large scale interactions (institutions and structures)
What are institutional perspectives?
Types of systems that generates system of means and organizes actions and practice (ask)
What are the 5 sets of paired concepts?
Solidarity and Conflict
Power and Resistance
Inequality and Privilege
Global and Local
Structure and Contingency (nature v nurture)
Are the 5 sets of paired concepts mutually exclusive?
No, they are not :)
What is sociology’s promise?
To inform the public and inspire action for freedom and human justice
Allow for clarification of thought rather than to tell people what to do
Develop empathy
