Sociology Flashcards
3 types of sociological theory
- Structural-functionalist
- Symbolic-interactionism
- Social-conflict
2 levels of sociological theory
Macro level
- (structural-functionalist and social-conflict), and Micro level
- (symbolic-interactionism)
Economy
social institution that organizes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
Property
indicator of where one fits into the class structure
Agriculture revolution
- economy was based on trade
- people didn’t have specific jobs
Industrial revolution
- work became centralized in factories
- new energy sources led to mass production
- wage labour
Information revolution
- factories were offshored to foreign countries
- jobs became intelligence based
- education became the most important
Sectors of the economy
- primary sector
- secondary sector
- tertiary sector
Primary sector
raw materials harvested from the natural environment
Secondary sector
manufacturing products from the raw materials
Tertiary sector
services industry
Gig economy
independent contractors who provide temporary services on their own time
Global economy
expanding economic activity that crosses national borders
Consequences of the global economy
- division of labour (offshoring)
- national governments have less control over their economy
- corporations have increased control over nations
- few corporations control the market (monopolies)
- small local businesses have trouble keeping up with big corporations
Capitalism
resources and means of production are privately owned
- private ownership of property and land
- based on pursuit of personal profit and greed
- based on consumption and consumer choice
Socialism
resources and means of production are collectively owned
- collective ownership of property and land
- based on pursuit of collective goals
- government controls businesses and the economy
Communism
all members of society are socially equal
- based on abolishment of class divisions
- connecting everyone to the means of production
Welfare capitalism
government controls certain big industries like healthcare and social services
- Canada, USA, UK, Germany
State capitalism
government works in partnerships with corporations
- China, Russia, Brazil
Primary labour market
full-time jobs that provide benefits to employees
Secondary labour market
part-time jobs that provide minimal benefits to employees
Underground economy
exchange of goods and services that is not reported to the government
Deviance
any behaviour that violates cultural norms
White collar crime
crimes committed by professionals in the course of financial business
Corporate crime
crimes committed by employees on behalf of their corporation
Labelling theory
being labeled as a deviant pushes children into the deviant lifestyle
- Chambliss: self-fulfilling prophecy
Deviance (Sutherland) (symbolic-interactionism)
children learn deviance through their family, friends, and their subculture
Sykes and Matza (symbolic-interactionism)
children use techniques of denial to resist deviantlabels
- denial of responsibility, injury, and victims
Deviance (structural-functionalist)
deviance defies social order and moral boundaries, and promotes social change
Robert Merton (strain theory) (structural-functionalist)
people are socialized to desire certain cultural goals, but denied the institutional opportunities to achieve those goals
Types of strains (strain theory)
- conformity
- innovation
- ritualism
- retreatism
- rebellion
Deviance (social-conflict)
the law is a tool used by the powerful class to protect their class interests
Deviance (race-conflict)
the law is used as racial oppression
Illegitimate opportunity theory (social-conflict)
people commit crimes because the criminal lifestyle is the only opportunity they have to be successful in life
Deviant labels (social-conflict)
people who interfere with the operation of capitalism are labelled as deviants
- resist authority
- threaten private property
- can’t work or refuse to work
Police
the primary point of contact between the general public and the justice system
Carding
police arbitrarily stopping and documenting people out in public
Durkheim (religion)
religion is beliefs, practices, and rituals centred around the belief in the sacred
- religion provides people with social cohesion, social control, and meaning/purpose
Collective consciousness (Durkheim)
a group is more than its individual parts and that gives it power
Collective effervescence (Durkeheim)
strength comes from a large group and their belief in the supernatural
Karl Marx (religion)
religion is a projection of the human mind onto the supernatural realm
- man creates god in their own image
- religion is an ideology that legitimizes capitalism
- religion is the opium of the people
Liberation theology
god and religion is on the side of the poor and oppressed
- injustice/inequality is sin
Predestination (Calvinism)
Protestant belief that god predestines some to heaven and other to hell at birth
Protestant ethics thesis (Weber)
people get to heaven by living a life of hard work and discipline
Church-sect continuum (Troeltsch)
religions have a scale on influence over society
- 1. State church / eclessia
- 2. Denomination
- 3. Sect
- 4. Cult
State church / Eclessia
citizens are members of the religion, very formal and organized
- ex. Islam in the Middle East
- ex. Catholic church in Spain
Denomination
Churches that make up a pluralistic society, still very formal and organized, usually headquartered outside that country
- ex. Catholicism, Hinduism, Islam in Canada
Sect
Break off of denominations that are still integrated into society, but are small and stick to themselves
- ex. Amish in Canada / USA
Cult
Groups led by charismatic leaders with new religious movements, against the norms and values of society
