Social Structure and Demographics Flashcards
What is the difference between micro and macro sociology?
Micro sociology focuses on individual experiences/interactions while macro sociology focuses on describing the effects of larger societal structors on individuals.
True or false: Sociologoical theories don’t attempt to explain the entirety of social interactions, only a subset of those interactions?
True!
Sociological theories are themselves quite varied, and each theory only attempts to explain one of many factors that influence society and social behavior.
What are the 4 main sociological theories?
- Functionalism
- Conflict Theory
- Symbolic Interactionism
- Social Constructionism
What is functionalism?
Functionalism is observing the many parts that fulfiil specific functions that compose society. People or groups perform functions/actions that result in society functioning.
Two types of function/action:
- Manifest - Purposeful or with intent
- Latent - Unintended (can be good, neutral, or bad
- Macro sociological theory
John only lives a quarter mile from work, but because it’s raining today he decides to drive. What are possible manifest and latent functions of Johns decision?
- Manifest: Get to work quicker; Latent: Stay dry
- Manifest: Stay dry; Latent: Contribute to traffic
- Manifest: Stay dry; Latent: The rain stops just after John gets to work
Manifest: Stay dry; Latent: Contribute to traffic
What is conflict theory?
Conflict theory focuses on the power struggle between grouyps over political, economical, and social resources.
- There is constant opposition due to domination of the powerful group and submission (non-conformity) of the weaker groups.
- Macro sociological theory
A group of 6 year olds and a group of stronger 8 year olds both want to use the same playground. What does Conflict Theory suggest will be the outcome of the situation?
- Both groups will divide the playground equally.
- Both groups will take turns using the entirety of the playground.
- No group will be able to use the playground.
- The stronger group will use the playground whenever they like.
The stronger group will use the playground whenever they like.
Conflict theory is based on stronger groups coercing (persuading by using force) weaker groups. There is little cooperation when resources are disproportionally shared.
What is social interactionism.
Social interactionism is sociological theory based on the belief that all human interaction is only understandable through the exchange of meaningful communication and symbols.
3 main principles:
- Humans act on meanings
- Ex: happy tears vs sad tears: only sad tears result in consoling
- Social interaction is the origin
- People learn how to interact by observing others
- Social action results from the combination of principle 1 and 2.
What is social constructionism?
Social constructionism is a sociological theory that believes society produces arbitrary constructs (such as social norms or money) that society follows and/or influences.
- Micro Sociological theory
What are the different types of culture?
- Material Culture
- Symbolic Culture
What is the difference between assimaltion and multiculturalism in reference to cultrures?
Assimilation is when an immigrant picks up the cultural norms of their new country. Multiculturalism is when a native population embraces foreign cultural beliefs and respects the differences between the cultures.
What is demography?
Demography is the study of people that studies different characteristics and measures of a population. It is a statistical analysis of a population at a certain time that helps distinguish individuals from one another.
What are the 6 different population subsets studied by demography?
- Gender (not sex)
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Sexual Orientation (Homo, bi, trans, etc..)
- Age
- Immigration status (documented, undocumented)
What is the difference between race and ethnicity?
Ethnicity and race are both social constructs. Ethnicity describes social factors (including language, religion, customs). Race describes physical appearance (Skin color).
