SOC Test 1 Flashcards
Prepare for Test #1, Chapters 1 & 2
What does Sociology’s mission?
Explain the different forces and influences that shape how someone grows up. Focuses on human society and social interaction.
What is the nature/nurture conflict?
Psychology/nature focuses on the individuals internal life and genetic influences. Sociology/nurture focuses on effect of groups and social interaction/environment.
What effect does social class have on our lives?
It sets us on a particular path in life
What is the sociological perspective/imagination?
Unique lens sociologists use to view the world, “new eyes” to examine broader social contexts that underlie human behavior.
Who created this concept and how do they explain it?
C. Wright Mills explains the sociological perspective/imagination as the intersection of biography and history (the individual and social factors that influence the individual).
What does the sociological perspective focus on to understand what shapes & motivates people’s actions?
Social location, where a person is located in their society at what point in history. This includes: Race, Occupation, Gender, Generation, Class Education & Nationality (ROGGCEN)
What is the global sociological perspective?
The impact of technological, social, political and economic interconnectedness & interdependence.
How have people of the present and past made sense of the world?
Past: observation & superstition. Present: Science, a systematic way.
What are the origins of sociology?
Began in the 1800s with the use of the scientific methods, time of “enlightenment”/”age of reason” Religion rejected, replaced with rational thought.
Who is Auguste Comte (pronounced kont)?
French. Founder/Father of Sociology. Coined terms Positivism (applying sci method to soc), social reform. But did NOT actually do systematic research.
Who is Herbert Spencer?
Promoted “Social Darwinism”/Survival of the fittest, against social reform=interferes w/”natural process.” Ideas considered offensive.
Who is Max Weber (Vayber)?
German, religion central force in social change, “Protestant Ethic” & “Spirit of Capitalism”
Who is Karl Marx?
German, economics central force in social change, Bourgeoisie (capitalists)/Protelariat (exploited workers), favored reform
Emile Durkheim?
French, gained acceptance of soc as separate discipline as 1st academic appointment @ Bordeaux, “Social Integration”
What did Durkheim find out with his rigorous research?
Studied: social forces, suicides-underlying social factors, especially social integration
Who is Harriet Matrineau?
English, Feminist sociologist travelled U.S. for studies on poverty, anti-slavery, Head of Society in America, only recognized for translating Comte’s work
Who is Jane Addams?
Cofounded Hull-House in Chicago for immigrants, aged, sick and poor, social reformist, co-winner of Nobel Peace Prize
Who is W.E.B. Du Bois?
1st AA to earn doctorate @ Harvard, race relations b/w, founded NAACP
Explain theory vs. reform..
(basic vs. applied) Talcott Parsons: analyze, not act. C. Wright Mills: study and reform
Explain Public Sociology
A middle ground between research and reform
What is the functionalism perspective?
Questions what holds a society together/maintains cohesion. Structure & Function
What is the conflict theory perspective?
Questions what causes problems with a society - tears it apart. Inequality of power, conflict & change
What is the symbolic interactionism perspective?
Questions How do people interact with each other - how do those interactions shape society? social interactions=symbols of society’s values
What is the Microlevel Analysis?
The approach focuses on small group vs. large-scale social structures/close-up focus on social interaction specifically
