Chapters 1 & 2

Question 1

Critical Thinking

Answer 1

The ability to evaluate claims about truth by using reason and evidence. Recognizes poor arguments, rejects statements not supported by evidence, and questions our assumptions

Question 2

Six Rules of Critical Thinking

Answer 2

1. Be willing to ask any questions, no matter how difficult
2. Think logically and be clear
3. Think about assumptions and biases (including yours) that affect all studies
4. Back up arguments with evidence
5. Avoid anecdotal evidence
6. Be willing to admit when you are wrong or uncertain

Question 3

Empirical Evidence

Answer 3

Information gathered through observations or experiments

Question 4

Sociology

Answer 4

Scientific study of human social relationships, groups, and societies. Aims to understand behavior, relations, and institutions on large scale, very broad., scientific approach

Question 5

Sociological Imagination

Answer 5

The ability to grasp the relationship between individual lives and the larger forces that shape them. Economics impact marriage. Connect what is happening in your individual life to greater patterns

Question 6

Troubles

Answer 6

Personal problems

Question 7

Issues

Answer 7

Public problems

Question 8

Structure

Answer 8

patterned social arrangements that have an effect on agency

Question 9

Agency

Answer 9

ability of individuals and groups to exercise free will

Question 10

Social Institution

Answer 10

Any institution in a society that works to shape the behavior of the groups or people within them (education, justice system, family). Created with a purpose and a FUNCTION. They change over time and region and reflect the values of society.

Question 11

Development of Sociological Thinking is rooted in 4 historical developments

Answer 11

1. Scientific Revolution
2. The Enlightenment
3. The Industrial Revolution
4. Urbanization

Question 12

Auguste Comte

Answer 12

Founder, Positivism

Question 13

Positivism

Answer 13

knowledge based on scientific reasoning and facts

Question 14

Harriet Martineau

Answer 14

The first female sociologist. Societies must ensure social justice for women, enslaved people, and other oppressed groups. “How to Observe Morals and Manners” about methods. Marriage and feminism

Question 15

Karl Marx

Answer 15

Society is characterized by class conflict. The bourgeoise exploit the proletariat. Workers express false consciousness and alienation. There will eventually be a classless communist system. All about economics and money. All forms of inequality stem from economic inequality

Question 16

False consciousness

Answer 16

Workers collectively and individually did not understand that owners had a different self-interest. Misled to believe that what is good for owner is good for them. If they work hard enough then one day they will make it.

Question 17

Alienation

Answer 17

The workers labor for others and are separated from what they created

Question 18

Bourgeoisie

Answer 18

Rich, upper class as seen in Conflict Theory
the birds work for them

Question 19

Proletariat

Answer 19

Poor or middle working class, exploited as seen in Conflict Theory

Question 20

Max Weber

Answer 20

Critical of Marx’s narrow focus on the economy and social class, and he felt other areas of influence needed to be examined. He also stressed the importance of Verstehen.

Question 21

Emile Durkheim

Answer 21

Pioneered methodology, mechanical v organic solidarity

Question 22

Mechanical Solidarity

Answer 22

traditional bonds based on similarity, people might get replaced, gears in a watch, is replaced by organic

Question 23

Organic Solidarity

Answer 23

modern industrial bonds based on specialization and interdependence, organs in a body

Question 24

W.E.B. Du Bois

Answer 24

African Americans experience double-consciousness

Question 25

Double Consciousness

Answer 25

Are aware of themselves being black and that they are never free of social stigma

Question 26

Robert Merton

Answer 26

Manifest v Latent functions

Question 27

C. Wright Mills

Answer 27

Sociological Imagination, troubles v issues

Question 28

Jane Addams

Answer 28

Hull House, served new European immigrants, women who provided social and educational opportunities for working class

Question 29

Mary Wollstonecraft

Answer 29

“A Vindication of the Rights of Women”

Question 30

Power and Inequality

Answer 30

how the unequal distribution of social, economic, and political power and resources shape opportunities, obstacles, and relationships

Question 31

Macro-level of analysis

Answer 31

broad, institutions, patterns

Question 32

Micro-level of analysis

Answer 32

individuals and how they interact

Question 33

Sociological Perspectives

Answer 33

explanations for various social patterns within a society, groups of theories (there’s 3)

Question 34

Functionalism

Answer 34

Society is composed of different parts with a variety of functions. Explains social organization and change in terms of the functions performed by different social structures. Asks: What is the function of ______ for the maintenance of society? If it exists and persists, it must serve a function. Weakness: fails to recognize inequality’s detrimental effects on social relationships. Manifest vs Latent functions (Merton). Doesn’t challenge status quo, slow change.

Question 35

Manifest function

Answer 35

needed and intended function for society Economics: encourage people to work towards harder and higher paying jobs

Question 36

Latent function

Answer 36

extra and unintended functions. both manifest and latent contribute to societal equilibrium

Question 37

Conflict Theory

Answer 37

Explains social organization and change in
terms of the conflict built into social
relationships. ASKS: Who benefits? Who loses? Conflict between competing interests as the animating force of social change and society in general. Each group in society (class, race, gender, etc.)
will act in its own interests. WEAKNESS: overlooks the forces of stability, equilibrium, and consensus in society, focuses on laws that benefit elite and ignore ones that benefit all. Inequality is not needed.

Question 38

Symbolic Interactionism

Answer 38

Both the individual self and society are the
result of social interactions based on
language and other symbols ASKS: How do we interact? How do we create and interpret symbols? People acquire a sense of who they are through interaction with others. I am who I think you think I am. WEAKNESS: focus on micro-level obscures larger structural context, George Herbert Mead

Question 39

Verstehen

Answer 39

Approaching the study of social behavior from the perspective of those engaging in that behavior, “interpretive understanding”

Question 40

Sociological Eye

Answer 40

noticing what others may not notice, notice how clients will look to the male representative over the female

Question 41

Generalizations

Answer 41

statements backed by evidence to describe groups in overall terms while understanding that there can be exceptions

Question 42

Stereotypes

Answer 42

predetermined ideas about a group based on hearsay or personal experience regardless of contrary evidence

Question 43

Two Core Commitments

Answer 43

1. Sociological Eye
2. Taking action

Question 44

Theories

Answer 44

explanations for various social patterns within a society

Question 45

Self

Answer 45

a sense of place in society and who we are in relationship to others

Question 46

Front Stage

Answer 46

where the interaction takes place

Question 47

Back Stage

Answer 47

where one prepares for the interaction

Question 48

Presentation of Self

Answer 48

trying to control how others see and evaluate us

Question 49

True Consciousness

Answer 49

if the proletariat come to grips with the depths of their exploration, lead them to bring out change