Social Structure and Demographics Flashcards
Define sociology, and the two sub-categories of sociology
Sociology is the study of society: how we create society, how we interact within it, how we define what is normal and abnormal in society, and how we institutionalize these ideas
- Foundation of sociology thus flows from explanatory theories and the institutions that make up society as a whole
Microsociology - focuses on small groups and the individual
Macrosociology - focuses on large groups and social structure
What is a social structure
A system of people withing a society organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships
Name the main theories in sociology
1) Functionalism or Functional Analysis
2) Conflict theory
3) Symbolic Interactionism
4) Social Constructionism
5) Rational Choice Theory
6) Exchange Theory
7) Feminist Theory
Define Functionalism or Functional Analysis
The study of the structure and function of each part of society
- Early functionalists viewed society as a living organism and like an organism, if society is to function smoothly, its parts and systems must work together in harmony
- When all parts of society fulfill their functions, society is in an abnormal or pathologic state
Define function and dysfunction, as used by later functionalist theorists
Function refers to the beneficial consequences of people’s actions (they can be either latent or manifest)
- According to these theorists, functions help keep society in balance
Dysfunction refers to harmful consequences of people’s actions as they undermine a social system’s equilibrium
Define manifest and latent functions
Manifest functions are actions intended to help some part of a system
Latent functions are unintended positive consequences on other parts of society
- they may flow logically from manifest functions, but are unstated or unrecognized
ie) annual meetings of medical societies have the manifest function of educating a group of physicians, but latently, they create stronger interpersonal bonds between physicians and provide a sense of identity for the group
Explain Conflict Theory
Based on the works of Karl Marx, it focuses on how power differentials are created and how these differentials contribute to the maintenance of social order
- Furthermore, power differentials can lead to the dominance of a particular group if it successfully outcompetes other groups for economic, political and social resources
Explain symbolic interactionism
Symbolic interactionism is the study of the ways individuals interact through a shared understanding of words, gestures and other symbols
- The central idea is that symbols - things to which we attach meaning - are the key to understanding how we view the world and communicate with one another
– These symbols include everything from how we codify concepts in language to hand gestures and body language to the role of certain behaviors (symbols do not always match across cultures)
ie) thumbs up in some middle-eastern countries is an offensive gesture
Explain social constructionism
Social contructionism focuses on how individuals put together their social reality. Social constructs arise from humans communicating and working together to agree on the significance of a concept or principle.
Can be applied to intangible concepts; like how society defines honor and justice (dependent on interactions and decisions of people within that society)
-These concepts depend on the society itself, so they are subject to change as social norms and opinions develop over time
Also applied to tangible objects such as money (only because we as a society imbue them with value, do they have it)
- Other examples include work ethic, acceptable dress and gender roles
Explain rational choice theory and a problem associated with it
Rational choice theory focuses on decision-making in an individual and attempts to reduce this process to a careful consideration of benefits and harms to the individual
Every outcome of social interaction can be associated with rewards (money, accolades, honor, prestige and social approval), or punishments (embarrassment, humiliation, sanctions and stigmatization)
In this theory, an individual considers all the possible rewards and punishments of each social action and chooses the option that has the highest benefit-to-harm ratio
- This theory problematized by concepts like altruism, in which an individual benefits another at some cose to him - or herself
Explain exchange theory
An extension of rational choice theory, but focuses on interactions within groups rather than on the individual
Exchange theory posits that an individual will carry out certain behaviors because of anticipated rewards and will avoid certain behaviors because of anticipated punishments
- similar to operant conditioning, exchange theory assumes a behavior that is met with approcal by others will reinforce that behavior and encourage its continuation, and vice versa
Explain feminist theory
This theory attempts to explain social inequalities that existon the basis of gender
- it focuses on the subordination of women through social structures and institutional discrimination
- this subordination takes many forms including expected gender roles, sexuality, financial opportunity and social mobility
Define gender roles
The behaviors expected of a given gender
- the industrial revolution began a doctrine of separate spheres in which men served as breadwinners and protectors of finances and women served as caretakers of the children and home
– biases still exist against individuals who step out of traditional roles
Define sexual inequality
Differential expectations of behavior between men and women
-ie) men rewarded for promiscuity and women stigmatized for same behavior
– women also more frequently objectified than men, being viewed as a sexual object rather than as a person
What is the glass-ceiling
phenomenon where women are less frequently promoted in the workplace and may have more difficulty attaining top-level administrative positions within a company
Define social institutions, and what are the six major types
Social institutions are well-established social structure that dictate certain patterns of behavior or relationships and are accepted as a fundamental part of culture
- They regulate the behavior of individuals in core areas of society
The major types are:
1) Family
2) Education
3) Religion
4) Government
5) Economy
6) Healthcare and Medicine
5)
Explain family as it relates to social institutions
Doesnt have a fixed definition across cultures or time; what is is accepted as family in the current day does not necessarily match expectations from even a few generations
It is influenced by a number of different factors including culture, value systems, beliefs, practices, gender, age, race, ethnicity, etc.
- patterns of kinship are usually reflected in terms like father, uncle, etc. but not ubiquitous across cultures (Hawaiians call family members cousins or uncles even if they are not biologically their uncle,etc.)
Identify some alternative forms of family different from the nuclear family.
Single-parent families
Families that cohabitate with other members (grandmother, etc.)
Families with marital disunions (divorce)
Same-sex parents
Explain domestic violence, and what are a few reason why it’s hard for some to leave the abusive relationship?
Domestic violence is spousal abuse, and includes physical as well as sexual abuse, emotional abuse and financial abuse
- it is observed across all social classes
- number one cause of injury to American women
- most common in families with drug abuse, especially alcoholism
It may be challenging for some to leave an abusive relationship for a variety of reasons including lack of a safe haven, financial restrictions and psychological disorders (ie. learned helplessness)
