Part 1 - What is Sociology?

Question 1

What is sociology?

Answer 1

Sociology is the scientific study of human relationships and patterns of behavior

Question 2

How does sociology differ from psychology?

Answer 2

Psychologists are interested primarily with the individual (what’s going on inside a person’s head).

Sociologists are interested in what goes on between people

Question 3

What is the sociological perspective?

Answer 3

The sociological perspective is seeing the general in the particular. This definition tells us that sociologists look for general patterns in the behavior of particular people.

Question 4

The four benefits of sociology

Answer 4

1) The sociological perspective helps us assess the truth of “common sense.”
2) The sociological perspective helps us see the opportunities and constrains in our lives.
3) The sociological perspective empowers us to be active participants in our society
4) The sociological perspective helps us live in a diverse world

Question 5

‘Ascribed Status’ vs ‘Achieved Status’

Answer 5

‘Ascribed Status’ (characteristics acquired at birth/usually unchangeable)

‘Achieved Status’ (characteristics that can be acquired)

Question 6

Power

Answer 6

The ability to control events or determine behavior of others despite resistance.

Question 7

Authority

Answer 7

A specific form of control where the right to command is

considered appropriate and legitimate

Question 8

Prestige

Answer 8

Social honor and respect.

Question 9

Social Classes

Answer 9

Group of individuals or families who occupy a similar position in the economic system of production, distribution and consumption of goods.

Question 10

Deviance and Conformity

Answer 10

Who follows values, beliefs, and norms, and who violates them.

Question 11

Values

Answer 11

Standards of desirability: Collective expressions of judgment.

Question 12

Beliefs

Answer 12

Ideas or assumptions about the nature of the social and physical reality.

Question 13

Norms

Answer 13

Rules that define what behavior is expected, required, or expected in particular circumstances.

Question 14

Culture

Answer 14

Values, beliefs, and norms that humans pass from one generation to the next

Question 15

Social Institutions

Answer 15

Relatively permanent patterns of specialized roles, groups, organizations, and activities that meet some fundamental social needs.

Question 16

Examples of an institution

Answer 16

Family, Politics, Religion, Education, Economy

Question 17

Micro Approach (sociology)

Answer 17

Micro sociologists focus on small groups. They examine the patterns and processes of face-to-face interactions between humans.

Question 18

Macro Approach (sociology)

Answer 18

Macro sociologists attempt to explain the fundamental patterns and processes of large-scale social relations.

Question 19

What is the true difference between the micro and macro approach?

Answer 19

The true difference between micro and macro sociologists is simply the size of the group they study.

Question 20

Functionalism (assumptions)

Answer 20

• A stable, cooperative social system in which everything has a function
• Societal elements function together to maintain order,
  stability, and equilibrium
• If an aspect of social life does not contribute to a society’s stability of survival, it will not be passed on from one generation to the next

Question 21

Conflict Theory (assumptions)

Answer 21

• Society is based on coercion or force, not consensus
• Society is continually engaged in a series of disagreements, tensions, and clashes. It is a struggle between the privileged and the exploited
• Unlike functionalist who view societal parts as working harmoniously together, conflict theorist see disequilibrium and change as the norm

Question 22

Interactionist Theory (assumptions)

Answer 22

• People define their reality through a process called the social construction of reality. Through their interactions in daily life, people create symbols and definitions when communicating with others
• Examining the microsocial world provides focus for understanding how individuals create and interpret life situations they experience

Question 23

Stratification vs Inequality

Answer 23

Stratification is systematic and is based on identifiable social processes through which people are sorted into categories such as caste, class, race and gender.

whereas inequality simply means unequal distribution of goods, etc.

Question 24

Theory

Answer 24

A statement of how and why specific facts are related.

Question 25

What are the six factors that are associated with Obama’s presidential victory

Answer 25

1) It took “a perfect storm” of interlocking factors to elect Obama.
2) Many bigots actually voted for Obama.
3) Two logical fallacies underlie this too-optimistic view.
4) Racist attitudes and actions repeatedly occurred throughout the campaign.
5) White Southern and older voters both demonstrated that rank racism remains.
6) Increased turn-out of young and minority voters was crucial. The paper closes by considering what changes in American race relations may take place during the Obama presidency.

Question 26

ecological fallacy

Answer 26

The ecological fallacy draws conclusions about individuals from macro-level data alone. It is a fallacy
because macro-units are too broad to determine individual data, and individuals have unique properties that cannot be directly inferred from just macro data

Question 27

The constant turnout composition fallacy

Answer 27

The constant turnout composition fallacy involves the assumption that the presidential electorate in 2008 was essentially the same as it was in 2004—thus, easy comparisons can be made between the two elections without allowing for these changes.

But the 2008 electorate was markedly different