exam 1 Flashcards
What is the sociological imagination?
Being able to connect basic/deep aspects of someone’s life to historical forces/societal beliefs
What is an example of the sociological imagination?
Why do some people choose to go to college while others don’t?
Define moral agency.
The ability to choose between good and evil
What is sociological agency?
The ability for people to make choices within a certain group or social structure
What are social structures?
Factors that influence decisions within society such as social class, religion, gender, ethnicity, ability
What is constrained agency?
The ability people have to make decisions and act within limits set by society
Define social institution.
Any institution in society that works to shape the behavior of groups of people
Who are the three ‘founding fathers’ of classic sociology?
Karl Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim
What was Karl Marx’s main argument?
Conflict causes change
What did Max Weber emphasize in sociology?
Understanding the means that people attach to their actions
What did Emile Durkheim propose?
The social world can be described and predicted by observable relationships
Who was W. E. B. DuBois?
An African American sociologist who created the idea of double consciousness
What is double consciousness?
Two behavioral scripts: moving through life as any other person and incorporating external opinions of prejudiced onlookers
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research?
Qualitative focuses on understanding depth; quantitative can be converted numerically
What is correlation?
When two variables tend to track each other positively or negatively
What is causation?
The notion that a change in one factor results in a corresponding change in another
What three factors must be established to prove causation?
- Correlations
- Time Order
- Ruling out Alternative Explanations
Define culture.
The sum of the social categories and concepts we operate in addition to beliefs, learned behaviors, and practices
What is ethnocentrism?
The belief that your own culture is superior to others
What is the opposite of ethnocentrism?
Ethnorelativism
What is the difference between material and nonmaterial culture?
- Material: physical environment and technology
- Nonmaterial: values, beliefs, social norms, ideologies
What is cultural lag?
Time gap between the appearance of new tech or legislation and the practices that give it meaning
What is culture shock?
The feeling of disorientation experienced when encountering a different culture
Define code switching.
To flip fluidly between two or more languages and sets of cultural norms
What is media?
Any formats, platforms, or vehicles that carry, present, or communicate information
How do algorithms influence our experiences on social media?
They show us tailored content based on our interests
What is a stereotype?
A generalized belief about a particular group of people that is often based on prejudice
What is socialization?
The process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable in society
What is the looking glass self?
The concept that we assume the point of view of others to see ourselves
What is the primary unit of socialization?
Family
What is the difference between ascribed status and achieved status?
- Ascribed: status born into, involuntary
- Achieved: status earned or entered, voluntary
Define social construction.
How we assign meanings to objects or ideas through social interaction
What is stratification?
Hierarchical organization of a society into groups with differing levels of power, prestige, or resources
What is the difference between sex and gender?
- Sex: biological differences
- Gender: social position and attributes associated with sex identities
Define sexism.
Prejudice based on a person’s sex or gender
What is socioeconomic status (SES)?
A measure based on income, education, and occupation
What is the difference between income and wealth?
- Income: money received
- Wealth: cumulative resources (assets - debts)
What is the poverty line?
A measure of who is poor in society
What is social equality?
The idea that everyone should have equal status, rights, and opportunities
What is conflict theory?
A theory that emphasizes the role of conflict in social stratification
What is the free rider problem?
The notion that individuals may shirk responsibility in group efforts
What are the key features of caste, class, and status hierarchy systems?
- Caste system: rigid, hereditary
- Class system: fluid, based on economic factors
- Status hierarchy: based on prestige and social honor
Define meritocracy.
A system in which advancement is based on individual ability or achievement
What is social mobility?
The ability to move up or down the social ladder
What is the culture of poverty theory?
A narrative suggesting that poverty creates a distinct culture that perpetuates itself
What are perverse incentives?
Incentives that lead to unintended negative consequences
What is the Aspen effect?
The phenomenon where wealthier individuals influence community resources
What is the difference between absolute and relative poverty?
- Absolute poverty: lacking basic necessities
- Relative poverty: lacking compared to a societal standard
What is a nuclear family?
A family unit consisting of two parents and their children
What is an extended family?
A family that extends beyond the nuclear family to include other relatives
What is the separate spheres argument?
The theory that men and women occupy distinct social spheres
What is the cult of domesticity?
A cultural belief that emphasizes women’s roles as homemakers and nurturers
What are the four virtues associated with the cult of domesticity?
- Piety
- Purity
- Submissiveness
- Domesticity
