quiz 1 Flashcards
chapter 1
sociology
The study of human behavior in society and its relationship to social structures. studies public (structural) issues over personal troubles. August Comte coined the term
sociology in the US
Built off of the earlier work of Europeans, early American sociology was focused on using sociological methods to institute reform and trigger social change.
theoretical frameworks
functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interaction, feminist theory
functionalism
a theoretical perspective that interprets each part of society (institutions) in terms of how it contributes to the stability of the whole society. From this perspective, inequality serves the purpose of providing incentives to work and solidarity. Critics say that it is too accepting of the status quo. macro
assoc w durkheim
conflict theory
a theoretical perspective that emphasizes the role of power and coercion in producing social order. Social order is maintained by domination, with power in the hands of those with the greatest political, economic, and social resources. Criticized for neglecting importance of shared values and public consensus in society, overemphasizing inequality. Macrosocial
symbolic interaction
Instead of thinking of society in terms of abstract institutions, this theoretical perspective emphasizes immediate social interaction as the place where “society” exists. Microsocial
assoc w weber (religion is source of social change)
feminist theory
Analysis of gender in society, especially of the oppression of women as a class by men (patriarchy), with the intention of improving women’s lives.
Emile Durkheim
people in society are glued together by belief systems. rituals of religion and other institutions symbolize and reinforce the sense of belonging. Public ceremonies create a bond between people in a social unit.
Max Weber
theorized that society had three basic dimensions: political, economic, and cultural. believed there couldnt be a value-free sociology because values would always influence what sociologists considered worthy of study
verstehen
the process of understanding social behavior from the point of view of those engaged in it. from weber
sui generis
durkheim’s idea that society as an entity is larger than the sum of its parts
social facts
social pattern that is external to individuals, characterize a social group. from durkheim. example: customs
social action
behavior to which people give meaning (ie a political bumper sticker on a car). from weber
harriett martineau
english, first female soc.
slavery, union, womens workers rights, ed
not known for work, known for translating comte into english
soc in america= am customs and social life
