Introduction To Sociology Flashcards
Peter Berger
Says that a sociologist is a spy who wants to see and understand. They are not deterred from understanding by contempt or revolt. A sociologist looks around to understand.
Debunking motif
First wisdom of sociology
Everything is not what it seems.
Debunking
Shows what is behind something. It unmasks common sense to pull back layers of what we’re told and finding things we didn’t anticipate.
Why debunk?
To see human action in the social world.
To understand action in the social world through analysis and critical thinking.
To find the layers of meaning.
How is a sociologist different from other humanities?
A sociologist looks at history, economy, political science and psychology to find answers.
Individualism
People are responsible for themselves. They are autonomous, independent individuals.
Collectivism
Practice that puts the need of a group as priority over individuals.
Emile Durkheim
French soldiers born 1851
One of founding fathers of sociology
Descended from rabbis and wanted to become a rabbi
Became agnostic and studied religion instead of practicing or preaching
Dissatisfied with education and taught ideas as philosophy
1913- became professor of science of education and sociology
Ideas included social facts (vs physical facts) and social forces (vs physical forces)
Physical fact
Exists in a place called physical forces in the physical world that constrain/control human action/behaviour.
Social fact
There are social forces in the social world that constrain/control human action/behaviour.
Two types: Group Membership and Society-at-large
Group Membership
As much as an individualist someone is, they are still part of groups.
Society-at-large
Bigger, larger, abstract influences.
Peter Berger’s Invitation to Sociology
Culture shock is excitement to see new things.
Satisfaction in sociology must come from interest in watching people and understanding human existence.
Looking beyond commonly accepted goals; events have hidden meanings.
Thinking beyond assertions and questioning authority.
Informal power structure not mentioned in media.
Large cities and mysteries behind facades.
Dust (Fine and Hallet)
For gender: women expected to take domestic roles. Efficacy of roles means no dust is present.
Nationalism: cleanliness meant one is superior to other countries and races (clean cultures vs dirty cultures); third world countries perceived as dirty, rural.
Sociology
Systematic study of human society
