Sociological Theories Flashcards
Sociology can best be defined as:
a) the difference between personal troubles and social issues
b) The systematic study of human groups and their interactions
c) The systematic study of society
d) Seeing the familiar in the strange
b) The systematic study of human groups and their interactions
Who coined the term the sociological imagination?
a) Auguste Comte
b) Peter Berger
c) Emile Durkheim
d) C.W. Mills
d) C.W. Mills
An attribute (advantage or disadvantage) assigned at birth (ex. sex) is called:
a) Ascribed status
b) Achieved status
c) Socio-economic status
d) Sociological status
a) Ascribed status
The incidence of low income for female lone-parent families is ____x higher than the incidence for two-parent families with children
a) Two
b) Three
c) Four
d) Five
c) Four
Men on average earn…
a) 15% more than women
b) 35% more than women
c) Men and women earn the same now
d) 15% less than women
a) 15% more than women
The term sociology was first described in
a) 1753
b) 1838
c) 1908
d) 1920
b) 1838
A theoretical approach that considers all understanding to be based on science is called
a) Negativism
b) Renaissancce
c) Enlightenment
d) Positivism
d) Positivism
Which of the following was NOT a revolution that inspired sociology?
a) Industrial
b) Scientific
c) Political
d) Military
d) Military
The study of individuals or small group dynamics within a larger society is called
a) Microsociology
b) Macrosociology
c) Formal sociology
d) Molecular sociology
a) Micrososiology
Within the context of sociology, Canadianization refers to
a) The selling of raw materials from Canada to Europe
b) The training of Canadian sociologists in Canada
c) The infiltration of Canadia sociologists in American Universities
d) The assimilation of immigrant sociologists to Canada
b) The training of Canadian sociologists in Canada
What is the purpose of Sociological Theories? (3)
- Helps us navigate through the social world
- Helps us figure out/ understand what we are seeing
- Each theory is like putting on a different lense to view it from a different point/element
Defne Sociology
Who is the father of sociology?
The systematic and scientific study of society and human interactions
Auguste Comte
Define Sociological Imagination
The ability to understand the dynamic relationship between individual lives and the larger society
- Understanding other perspectives
What are some examples of central tensions?
Macro vs Micro
(Society vs individuals)
Order vs. Conflict
Structure vs. Agency
(Social structure - telling you what to wear vs. choosing what to wear yourself)
Explain the difference between personal troubles and social issues
Give an example
Personal troubles- personal challenges that require individual solutions
- ex. only you fail an exam
Social issues - Challenges caused by larger social factors that require collective solutions
- ex. everyone fails the exam
Key elements of Functionalism (2)
- The social world is a dynamic system of interrelated and interdependent parts
- Social structures (Universities) exist to help people fulfill their wants and desires as defined by social values
According to Functionalism, Society is made up of…
Structures that work together for the common good of the majority
T or F: General social features that exist on their own are dependent of individual manifestations (ex. laws, beliefs, morals)
False;
General social features that exist on their own are INDEPENDENT of individual manifestations
Why is post-secondary education functional?
One way to be successful is have a good job, one way to get a good job is to get a good education.
Therefore Universities are functional in the sense that they make this possible
Are Universities Functional or Structural?
They are both!
Structural (they have buildings, employees, etc.)
Functional (it works in society)
What are the 3 elements that Functionalism emphasizes?
1) The general interdepence of the system’s parts
2) The existence of a “normal” state of equilibrium
3) The way that all parts of the system reorganize to bring things back to normal
How do education and families rely on one another?
Institutions rely on families to teach the value of education, and society values (ex. not to steal)
What is functional about racism? Poverty?
It allows there to be a superior race
Need people to do the shitty jobs, not everyone can be a doctor
Why is society compared to a body?
(organic analogy)
- Society also has interconnected parts that work together
- Focus on stability and consensus
How can we achieve functionalism?
By returning to our state of homeostasis (for the majority)
BUT what may be functional for some (majority), may be disfunctional for others.
Functionalism:
All parts of a society have.. (2)
1) A function (or purpose)
2) Certain needs
Every structure serves a function to fulfill certain needs
Manifest functions vs. Latent functions
Manifest functions: intended consequences of an action
Latent functions: unintended consequences of an action
ex. of university -living away from home
Advantages of Functionalism (2)
1) attemps to provide a universal social theory
2) Brings a sense of order to a potentially disorderly world
Criticisms of Functionalism(4)
1) Reification of society and social institutions
2) Circular Resoning (hard to disprove because it is functional (it exists))
3) Cannot explain rapid social change (only slow changes)
4) Implicit support for the political and economic status quo (says we dont need to change because its already functional!!)
The Conflict Theory is based on the assumption…
That society is grounded upon inequality and competition over scarce resources and power
(unequal distribution)
Key elements of the conflict theory (2)
1) Power is the core of all social relationships and is scarce and unequally divided among the members of society
2) Social values and the dominant ideology are vehicles by which the powerful promote their own interests at the expense of the weak
