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Midterm Flash Cards

1
Q

What is sociology?

A

The systematic study of human groups and their interactions

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2
Q

Define sociological perspective.

A

A view of sociology based on the dynamic relationships between individuals and the larger social network

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3
Q

Who is C.W. Mills?

A

A sociologist who emphasized recognizing the social origins of personal problems

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4
Q

What are personal troubles?

A

Personal challenges that require individual solutions

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5
Q

What are social issues?

A

Challenges caused by larger social factors that require collective solutions

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6
Q

What is quality of mind?

A

The ability to view personal circumstances within a broader social context

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7
Q

Define sociological imagination.

A

The ability to perceive how dynamic social forces influence individuals

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8
Q

What are cheerful robots?

A

People who are unwilling/unable to see the social world as it truly exists

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9
Q

Who is Peter Berger?

A

A sociologist known for seeing the general in the particular and the strange in the familiar

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10
Q

What is agency in sociology?

A

The assumption that individuals have the ability to alter their socially constructed lives

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11
Q

Define structure in sociology.

A

The network of relatively stable opportunities and constraints influencing individual decisions and behavior

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12
Q

What is patriarchy?

A

A pervasive and complex system where men control social, political, and economic resources

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13
Q

What is socioeconomic status?

A

A combination of variables (income, education, occupation) used to rank people into a hierarchical structure of social status

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14
Q

Define ascribed status.

A

Attributes assigned at birth that determine status

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15
Q

Define achieved status.

A

Attributes developed throughout life as a result of effort and skill

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16
Q

Who were the sophists?

A

Ancient Greeks, the first paid teachers and thinkers focusing on the human being

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17
Q

Who is Ibn Khaldun?

A

The first social philosopher working from the sociological perspective

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18
Q

What was the scientific revolution?

A

A shift from church-based knowledge to scientific insight and methods from the 14th to 17th century

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19
Q

Who is Auguste Comte?

A

The father of sociology who coined the term ‘sociology’ and created the law of three stages

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20
Q

What is the theological stage?

A

The longest period of human thinking where religious outlook explained the world and human society

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21
Q

Define metaphysical stage.

A

A period of questioning and challenging assumptions through insightful reflection

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22
Q

What is the positive stage?

A

A stage where the world is interpreted through a scientific lens guided by observation and experimentation

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23
Q

Define positivism.

A

A theoretical approach that considers all understanding to be based on science

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24
Q

What are the three assumptions of positivism?

A
  • Objective and knowable reality
  • All sciences will become more alike over time
  • Value free
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25
Define anti-positivism.
A theoretical approach that considers knowledge and understanding to be the result of human subjectivity
26
What are values in sociology?
Cultural beliefs about ideal goals and behaviors that serve as standards for social life
27
What is quantitative sociology?
The study of behaviors that can be measured, reflecting a positivist nature
28
Define qualitative sociology.
The study of non-measurable, subjective behaviors, reflecting an anti-positivist nature
29
What is political revolution?
Society evolving to endorse democratic principles
30
Who is Machiavelli?
A philosopher who suggested human behavior is motivated by self-interest and material gain
31
What does 'I think therefore I am' refer to?
A philosophical statement by Rene Descartes asserting that thinking proves existence
32
What is the natural state according to Thomas Hobbes?
A condition where humans are driven by fear and desire for power
33
Define social contract.
The acknowledgment that we achieve more by working together than apart
34
What was the industrial revolution?
A period when industry replaced agriculture as the dominant means of supporting people
35
What is macrosociology?
The study of society as a whole, focusing on the big picture
36
What did Marx believe about competition?
People were forced into competition because of material changes from wealth accumulation
37
What is microsociology?
The study of individual or small-group dynamics within the larger society
38
Who is Herbert Blumer?
The sociologist who named symbolic interactionism in 1937
39
Define symbolic interactionism.
The perspective asserting that people and societies are defined and created through the interactions of individuals
40
What are the four defining features of Canadian sociology?
* Geography and regionalism * Focus on political economy * Canadianization of the sociological movement * Radical nature
41
What is globalization?
A worldwide process involving the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
42
Who coined the term 'global village'?
Marshall McLuhan
43
What is theory in sociology?
A statement that explains how certain facts or variables are related to predict future events
44
Define ideal types.
Classic/pure forms of a given social phenomenon, closest to perfection
45
What is functionalism?
The view of society as a dynamic system of interrelated parts aiming to fulfill social values
46
What does AGIL stand for?
* Adaptation * Goal attainment * Integration * Latency
47
Define manifest functions.
The intended consequences of an action or social pattern
48
What are latent functions?
The unintended consequences of an action or social pattern
49
What is conflict theory?
The view that society is grounded in inequality and competition over scarce resources
50
What is the difference between natural and moral/political inequality?
* Natural/physical inequality: based on physical differences * Moral/political inequality: based on human classification of valuable things
51
What is class conflict?
When the interests of one class are in opposition to another
52
Define proletariat.
Workers who do not own land and must sell their labor
53
Define bourgeoisie.
Owners of the means of production
54
What is alienation in Marxist theory?
The process by which workers lack connection to what they produce
55
What is exploitation?
The difference between what workers are paid and the wealth they create for the owner
56
What is superstructure in Marxist theory?
All of the things that society values once its material needs are met
57
Define ideology.
A set of beliefs and values that support and justify the ruling class of a society
58
What is false consciousness?
Belief in and support for the system that oppresses you
59
What is exploitation in the context of labor?
The difference between what workers are paid and the wealth they create for the owner.
60
Define superstructure in society.
All of the things that society values and aspires to once its material needs are met, including religion, politics, and law.
61
What is ideology?
A set of beliefs and values that support and justify the ruling class of a society.
62
True or False: The dominant ideology of a society maintains the position of the ruling elite.
True.
63
What is false consciousness?
Belief in and support for the system that oppresses you.
64
Define class consciousness.
Recognition of domination and oppression and taking collective action to change it.
65
What are critiques of certain sociological theories?
* Diminishes areas of consensus * Ignores cooperation/harmony in society * Does not acknowledge institutionalized struggle * Too narrow and focuses too much on macro level issues.
66
What does symbolic interactionism emphasize?
That society and all social structures are creations of interacting people and can be changed.
67
What is the Thomas theorem?
The assertion that things people define as real are real in their consequences.
68
List Ritzer’s fundamental principles of human thought.
* Unlike other animals, human beings have the capacity for thought. * Human thinking is shaped by social interaction. * People learn meanings and symbols in social settings. * Meanings and symbols enable uniquely human actions. * People can change meanings and symbols based on social situations. * Individuals can examine actions and select advantageous courses. * Patterns of action and interaction make up groups and societies.
69
Who argued that human actors are active agents in society?
Weber.
70
Define Verstehen.
Weber’s term for a deep understanding and interpretation of subjective social meanings.
71
How did George Simmel view society?
As the summation of human experience and its patterned interactions.
72
What is formal sociology?
Argues that different human interactions, once isolated from their content, can be similar in form.
73
What are the components of the self according to Herbert Mead?
* I: the unsocialized part of the self, spontaneous and creative. * Me: the socialized part that reflects societal values and monitors I.
74
What is the looking glass self?
The belief that we develop our self-image through the cues we receive from others.
75
What is a self-fulfilling prophecy?
A prediction that once made causes the outcome to occur.
76
True or False: Erving Goffman believed the self exists independently of social interactions.
False.
77
What is dramaturgical analysis?
The view that the self emerges from the performances we play in social interactions.
78
What did W.E.B. Du Bois argue regarding race?
Race is a social issue embedded in relationships, poverty, systematic oppression, and segregation.
79
Define double consciousness.
A sense of self defined partly through the eyes of others, resulting in a sense of divided identity.
80
What is Western Marxism?
A more independent and critical form of Marxism than those practiced by Soviet and Chinese regimes.
81
Differentiate between domination and hegemony.
* Domination: direct physical and violent coercion. * Hegemony: ideological control and consent.
82
What is the key idea of second wave feminism?
Understanding women as a coherent social group with a common experience.
83
What is patriarchy?
A pervasive system where men control social, political, and economic resources.
84
What does third wave feminism emphasize?
The multiplicity of women's voices and challenges the idea of a unified experience.
85
What is poststructural theory concerned with?
How knowledge is socially produced and challenges views of absolute truth.
86
Define agency.
The capacity for self-directed action.
87
What does discourse refer to?
A system of meaning that governs how we think, act, and speak about an issue.
88
What is normalization?
A social process that marks some practices as normal and others as abnormal.
89
What does queer theory argue?
Against the assumption of uniformity in treatment and seeks fluid definitions of sexuality.
90
What is the focus of post-colonial theory?
The political and cultural effects of colonialism.
91
Define imperialism.
The conquest of land, resources, and people.
92
What is critical race theory?
A framework that examines race, racism, and American law, asserting that racism is endemic to American life.
93
What is the Nuremberg Code?
Established ethical standards for research involving human subjects following WWII atrocities.

Sociology 101 (2 decks)

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