Notes Flashcards
Sociology
Study of societies or groups of people. Groups, patterns, institutions, and structures.
What is society based on?
Empirical data, trained professional scientists, critical analysis, social trends/patterns/phenomena. This all makes the study of society scientific.
Stigma
Mark of disgrace or infamy.
What are sociological methods?
Procedures to establish facts about the social world: tell a story about how you gathered data, scientific examination, objective investigation, systematic data gathering.
Validity
The study measures what it’s supposed to.
Reliability
The likelihood of obtaining consistent results using the same measure in future studies.
Generalizability
Extent to which we apply our findings to a broad group that we didn’t study.
If a study isn’t generalizable, does that mean the info isn’t valid?
NOOOOOOOO.
Reflexivity
analyzing and critically considering our own role in, and affect on, our research.
Objectivity
let the facts speak for themselves!
What parts make up the research process?
One must refine the research problem, review existing literature, develop hypothesis, choose method, gather data, analyzing data, and report findings.
What are theories and what do they do?
Theories are based on literature, empirical data, critical analysis and social data. They explain patterns in ideas, events, and events, they have predictive power, they evaluate interactions and institutions.
Describe the functionalist perspective of sociology.
INEQUALITY IS BENEFICIAL. Organization of society maintains social order and prevents irrational behavior.
Describe the conflict perspective of sociology.
INEQUALITY IS UNFAIR. Organization of society creates conflict that is contrary to social order. Social movements —–> Social change.
Describe symbolic interpretation of sociology.
Face-to-face interactions form the basic motivation behind people’s actions.
Describe Marx’s sociological views.
Capitalism: economic system based on a ruling class exploiting the working class to maximize profits.
Describe Weber’s sociological views.
Economy, religion, politics: how we understand ourselves in relation to society.
What is verstehen?
Honor the perspective of participants, understand subjectivity as data.
Describe Durkheim’s sociological views.
Social cohesion and division of labor: influences all of society.
What does suicide mean?
The degree to which we are socially integrated.
Describe Dubois’ sociological views.
1st African American to get his Ph.D from Harvard! Bossssss. Believed in double consciousness: African American’s view the world through two lenses.
Ethnography: The Philadelphia Negro.
What is causation?
A change in variable A results in a corresponding change in variable B.
What does spurious mean?
An assumed relationship that ignores coincidence or a third variable. Not what something purports to be.
Can you list all sociological methods used for research?
Survey, Historical (primary and secondary), experimental (create two groups: control and experimental), interviews, content analysis, and ethnography (systematic observation).
