Chapter 1 Vocab

Question 1

Social science that studies human societies and social behaviors.

Answer 1

Sociology

Question 2

Study human social behavior, or institutions and functions of human society in a scientific manner.

Answer 2

Social Sciences

Question 3

How people relate to one another and influence each other’s behavior.

Answer 3

Social Interaction

Question 4

Observable facts or events that involve human society.

Answer 4

Social Phenomena

Question 5

Looking beyond commonly held beliefs to the hidden meanings behind human actions.

Answer 5

Sociological Perspective

Question 6

The ability to see the connection between the larger world and your personal life.

Answer 6

Sociological Imagination

Question 7

The comparative study of past and present cultures.

Answer 7

Anthropology

Question 8

Social science that deals with the thinking and behavior of organisms.

Answer 8

Psychology

Question 9

Study of how the environment affects an individuals behavior and personality.

Answer 9

Social Psychology

Question 10

Study of choices people make in an effort to satisfy their needs and wants.

Answer 10

Economics

Question 11

Examination of the organization and operation of governments.

Answer 11

Political Science

Question 12

The study of past events.

Answer 12

History

Question 13

The belief that only the fittest societies would survive over time (“survival of the fittest”).

Answer 13

Social Darwinism

Question 14

The consequence that an element of society produces for the maintenance of its social system.

Answer 14

Function

Question 15

The attempt to understand the meanings individuals attach to their actions (“walk a mile in their shoes”).

Answer 15

Verstehen

Question 16

A description comprised of the essential characteristics of a feature of society.

Answer 16

Ideal Type

Question 17

Explanation of the relationships among particular phenomena.

Answer 17

Theory

Question 18

A perspective based on a general set of assumptions about the nature of things.

Answer 18

Theoretical Perspective

Question 19

A perspective where society is viewed as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system.

Answer 19

Functionalist Perspective

Question 20

Negative consequence an element has for the stability of the social system.

Answer 20

Dysfunctional

Question 21

The unintended and unrecognized consequence of an element of society.

Answer 21

Latent Function

Question 22

The intended and recognized consequence of some element of society.

Answer 22

Manifest Function

Question 23

A perspective that focuses on the forces of society that promotes competition and change.

Answer 23

Conflict Perspectives

Question 24

A perspective that focuses on how individuals interact with one another in society.

Answer 24

Interactionist Perspective

Question 25

Anything that represents something else.

Answer 25

Symbol

Question 26

Focuses on how people use symbols when interacting.

Answer 26

Symbolic Interaction

Question 27

-Founder of Sociology
-French Philosopher (1798-1857)
-Focused on social order and social change
-Ignored the words of others

Answer 27

Auguste Comte

Question 28

-English philosopher ((1820-1903)
-Coined “Social Darwinism”
-Viewed society as an organism with interconnected parts
-Refused to read the works of other scholars

Answer 28

Herbert Spencer

Question 29

-German (1818-1883)
-Radical writer and editor of the communist manifesto
-Focused on social and economic class systems
-Referred to classes as Proletariat and Bourgeoisie

Answer 29

Karl Marx

Question 30

-Frenchman (1858-1917)
-First to apply the scientific method to sociology
-Believed society was interdependent parts working as a system
-Focused on religion’s role in society

Answer 30

Emile Durkheim

Question 31

-German (1964-1920)
-Focuses on separate groups of society
-Wanted sociologists to understand the meanings attached to individual’s actions
-Created “Ideal Type”

Answer 31

Max Weber