Sociology

Question 1

What is sociology

Answer 1

studies the interactions people in a society and their actions, beliefs and behaviours in order to understand the society
Sociologists also compare and contrast human interactions and behaviours between different society

Question 2

Who is Ibn Khaldun

Answer 2

studied the muslim word in the 14th cenutry
Record of pre-modern history with observations on society and social conditions
Forefather of sociology
Discipline did not formerly exist until Industrial Revolution

Question 3

Auguste Comte

Answer 3

First Defined sociology as the systematic study of society.

Believed society is always changing and observed individuals/ groups struggle to adapt
Believed change is ultimately positive for society

Comte also said that observations or field work of any kind must be measurable and concrete ie; quantitative= Theory of Positivism

Question 4

Define Values

Answer 4

Values: shared ideas and standards that are considered acceptable and binding

Question 5

Define Norms

Answer 5

Norms: expectations about how people should
behave

Question 6

Define Roles

Answer 6

Role: expected behaviour of a person in a
particular social position

Question 7

Define Universality

Answer 7

Universality: breaking down cultural and geographical barriers in sociological research.

Question 8

Define Objectivity

Answer 8

Objectivity: to set aside our own beliefs and avoid making judgements on others based on our personal views.

Question 9

Macrosociology

Answer 9

Macro Sociologists take the approach of studying society as a whole. They study social systems and populations on a large scale.

They study larger social institutions that individuals belong to, for example; one studying religion would try to learn a lot about religious worship as a large structure or institution in society.

Question 10

Microsociology

Answer 10

Microsociologists study the role and interactions an individual or small group of people may have in society
For example; a microsociologist would study religious worship by looking at a single worshipper or small group of worshippers within a religion

Question 11

What is the Theory of Positivism?

Answer 11

Strict application of the scientific method in order to obtain concrete, measurable, and testable data to understand society

Question 12

Define in detail Structural Functionalism

Answer 12

Structural functionalism: States that a society is stable when social institutions/ structures meet the needs of its citizens
Eg. family, religion, politics, schools
These institutions or structures of society are interdependent and work together to meet the needs of individuals to help society function
Places emphasis on the power of social structures
Social structures are positive for society and they create harmony and happiness among its members
There is an idea that having optimism means that society can meet the diverse needs of its members

Question 13

There are 4 Schools of thought in sociology, be sure to know the names of them.

Answer 13

1. Structural Functionalism
2. Conflict Theory
3. Feminist sociology
4. Symbolic Interactionism

Question 14

What are some criticisms of Structural Functionalism?

Answer 14

Some say that it doesn’t account for the destructive forces within society
Issues that may be overlooked by structural functionalism are gangs, criminal behaviour, homelessness, racism, poverty, ageism, sexism (negative things in society)

Question 15

What is the Theory of Social Darwinism and who created it?

Answer 15

Herbert Spencer applied Darwin’s theory of evolution to the study of society
Applied the notion of “survival of the fittest” to society
Spencer’s theory states that the fittest people in society should survive and flourish while the weak either live unfortunate circumstances or be allowed to die
Eugenics: advocates for the improvement of a species by either selective breeding or killing of undesirable humans

Question 15

Who is Emile Durkheim?

Answer 15

French sociologist influenced by Compte
Formally established sociology as a discipline
Studied the forces that unite individuals in society
Observed that humans are social creatures and define themselves by their social interactions at home, work, play and worship
Durkheim researched the reasons why people commit suicide in his book called Suicide
Studied social facts (values, norms, and social structures) and concluded that although it’s the individual’s decision to commit suicide, the causes of suicide are deeply rooted in society

Question 16

Who is Talcott Parsons?

Answer 16

Developed structural functionalist school of thought in the United States
Concluded that, although people act in their own self interest, there is still a strong desire among people to get along with each other and cooperate to achieve goals based on shared values
Believed in social evolution and social Darwinism
Ideas were controversial because they suggest that the negative aspects of society, such as discrimination serve a purpose

Question 17

What is Conflict Theory?

Answer 17

Modelled after work of Marx
Studies competition between different groups for power (those who have economic and political power and those who don’t)
General focus is on economic balance, but it can also be applied to other imbalances such as gender and race

Question 18

Who is Karl Marx?

Answer 18

Marx: German philosopher interested in economic history
His theories concentrate in class conflict and its role in social evolution and its usefulness in studying social issues
During the Industrial Revolution, Marx saw how factory owners exploited their workers, he predicted that one day the workers would revolt
Disruptions and revolts create the changes in society
According to Marx, class conflict equals change and evolution of one system to the next
Eg. feudal societies becoming capitalist, capitalist societies become communist

Question 19

What is Feminist Sociology?

Answer 19

Inequality in power, economics, even their own bodies
They examine symbols, values and norms of their society

Question 20

Who stated that “women are alienated from their experiences”?

Answer 20

Dorothy Smith

Question 21

What is Symbolic Interactionism?

Answer 21

Focus is on the micro level
Theory is that the individual is at the centre of society and social values and roles are formed by individual interpretation
We need to see ourselves in social roles and see ourselves reflected in the experiences of those around us
Behaviour is rooted in how others respond to us
We adjust our personality to different situations

Question 22

What is the definition of socialization?

Answer 22

Socialisation is the process of learning behavioural patterns, skills and values in a society
In order for individuals to thrive in a particular society they need to learn how to act as others do in their society
Values and norms may vary between cultures, but the process of socialisation is the same

Question 23

What are the three basic steps in socialization?

Answer 23

1. Basic skills: taking care of oneself
2. Socially accepted goals: marriage, employment
3. Roles and behaviours: how to act in specific situations

Question 24

List and provide examples for the 4 different categories of socialization.

Answer 24

Primary socialisation:
Learning the basic skills needed to survive in a society
Hygiene, eating with utensils
Primary agent of socialisation is family (ONLY the people you live with)

Secondary socialisation:
How to act in group situations
Learn from places of worship, school, etc.

Anticipatory socialisation:
Learning how to plan the way to behave in new situations
Using prior knowledge you can anticipate the type of clothing to wear or language to use in a situation
Eg. at your first funeral you will know how to behave

Resocialization:
Where negative behaviour is transformed into socially acceptable behaviour
An employee learning a new job, drug addict at rehab is now being resocialized into society

Question 25

Who was Reena Virk and what did we learn from this case study?

Answer 25

1997, 7 girls and 1 boy (14-16) attacked, burned, and beat her
She got away but 2 attackers dragged her back to the park and drowned her to death
Her body was found 8 days later
Rise in adolescent girl on girl violence in North America (Said the media)
thought that this was due to nowadays, less feminine ways of channelling aggression are accepted like gossiping, and an increasingly violent culture
Engaged in a “moral panic”, as the world and female roles in society changed
Examined by criminologists and sociologists
Youth rate of violence dropped 5% but rate of female violence increased
Due to change in policy and practice not behaviour of the girls
Looked at the event itself and the wider implications and the meaning to society
Perception of an increasing problem can lead to changes in educational and legal priorities
Eg. more punitive policies for young offenders and zero tolerance policies in school

Question 26

What is a feral child?

Answer 26

Feral: Children who are deserted at a young age and raised by animals
Sociologists have found that the children who are raised by animals learn the behaviours of the species that raised them
Eg. Oxana Malaya (psychology) who was raised by dogs

Question 27

What is an isolate?

Answer 27

Isolates: are children who are raised in near isolation from within human households
Eg. Genie Wiley (psychology) who was trapped in a room
These children face psychological struggles later in life due to this abuse

Question 28

What is the definition of “impression management”?

Answer 28

Impression management: the attempt to manipulate the thoughts of others; the act of controlling or influencing another person’s perception

Question 29

Who is Erving Goffman and what did he state about social roles?

Answer 29

Total institution: a place where the same people work, play, eat, sleep and recreate together on a continuous basis
Term developed by sociologist Erving Goffman (Canadian) to describe prisons
Life within total institutions is closely planned by those in control and activities are strictly scheduled

Question 30

Explain the case study focused on David Reimer.

Answer 30

Bruce and Brian Reimer were twin boys in Winnipeg, 1965
Bruce was circumcised incorrectly and his parents decided to raise him as a girl
They went to Dr. John Money of John Hopkins University who said they could raise Bruce as a girl
Although he was called Brenda and treated like a girl, he grew up and didn’t play with girls, and got into fights
After puberty he had a thick neck and it was clear the experiment didn’t work properly
Bruce changed his name to David and lived as a boy again
He had many reconstructive surgeries and was the step-father to 3 children
He killed himself after separating with his wife

Question 31

What is the difference between overt and systemic discrimination?

Answer 31

Overt
Intentional actions taken against an individual or group because of a distinguishing characteristic they have
Eg. an employer refuses to hire a woman for a traditionally male job even though she’s qualified
Systematic
Subtle and unintentional discrimination against a person or group where the consequences or outcome are not fully understood by those taking action
Eg. a physically disabled job candidate may not be able to accept a job because the building is not wheelchair-friendly

Question 32

What is the difference between covert or subtle prejudices?

Answer 32

Covert Prejudice: Hidden biases not openly expressed.
Expression: Subtle, often subconscious, manifesting in microaggressions or implicit biases.
Awareness: Individuals may not recognize or admit their biases.

Subtle Prejudice: Bias expressed indirectly or less overtly.
Expression: Manifests through subtle actions or comments.
Consciousness: This may be intentional or unintentional, with varying levels of awareness.
Both forms contribute to unequal treatment and require awareness and education for mitigation.

Question 33

Define the following terms: prejudice, racism, discrimination, upstander, bystander

Answer 33

Prejudice: an individual judgement about or active hostility toward another social group
Racism: erroneous judgement, assumptions, opinions, or actions toward a person or group, based on the belief that one race is superior to another
Discrimination: the act of treating groups or individuals unfairly based on their race, gender, or other common characteristic; can be overt or systematic
Upstander: a person who takes action, particularly when the easiest or most acceptable course is to do nothing, when he or she believes something is right
Bystander: Someone who observes an event without taking part in it

Question 34

Know what the following types of discrimination mean: Classism, Sexism, Racism, Ageism, Homophobia, Ableism, Islamophobia

Answer 34

Classism: systematic or personal actions that discriminate against persons according to their socio-economic level, which leads to human needs being unmet
Sexism: attitudes or behaviours based on predetermined ideas of sexual roles that discriminate against others because of their sex
Ageism: discrimination against individuals or groups because of their age
Homophobia: dislike of or prejudice against gay people.
Ableism: discrimination based on assumptions about a person’s ability or disability
Islamophobia: racism that leads to prejudice against and fear of Islamic beliefs and Muslims

Question 35

Theories about the origins of discrimination - learned theory

Answer 35

Learned theory
Prejudice and discrimination are not innate to our species
Learned through socialisation
Children learn from observing their parents and others they see
Many behaviours that parents demonstrate are meant to help their children function and get along in society as they age
Some prejudicial views are passed on from parents
Children often carry those views until adolescence when they abandon their parents views and adopt those of their peers
Media also portrays positive and negative views of race, gender, and sexual orientation
Images in the media can spread stereotypes
Often only one minority is included to represent all
Our language is also filled with inappropriate terminology
Eg. Firefighter instead of fireman, mail carrier instead of mailman
These terms taught entire generations to make assumptions about gender roles and career choices

Question 36

Theories about the origins of discrimination - Competition theory

Answer 36

Prejudice exists against visible, non-white immigrants within the country
Competition theory: the key reason some people come to distrust immigrants is economic competition
Similar to Marxist notions about competition between groups for economic power
When an economic crisis happens, people incorrectly assume that immigration policies/ immigrants are responsible
The unemployed may believe immigrants took their jobs, creating a sense of competition between groups
Some believe that any influx of new Canadians places strain on our social and health services and contributes to the social and economic hardships of the country

Question 37

Frustration-Aggression theory

Answer 37

Sometimes an individual resents a group in society with better access to wealth
Low-income people who cannot advance financially are often frustrated
This frustration is often displaced and outwardly expressed as aggression toward the group they feel is responsible
People lash out against the “others”
Scapegoats are a specific group who become the target of hatred and blame for the majority class in society
Eg. Jewish people in Nazi Germany
Nazis also scapegoated the disabled, Jehovah’s Witness, and homosexuals
Genocide: is a concept defined in the 20th century to acknowledge the systematic murder of people based on a deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group

Question 38

Ignorance theory

Answer 38

Lack of personal and social experience can cause people to make incorrect assumptions about a specific class or group in society
When we refuse to learn about a group we are unaware of how and why they function
When ignorant we may view some behaviour as strange
These beliefs may become the basis of discrimination toward the group
Ignorance theory: it is the fear of unfamiliar cultural practises that guides discriminatory behaviour
Those inflicting the discrimination are making value judgements based on their own culture
Easy to unite against a common enemy
Ethnocentrism is a leading cause of discrimination
Ethnocentrism: the practise of evaluating other cultures based on the customs and behaviours of one’s own culture, which is considered superior to others’
Often the judgments made to other cultures may be negative or derogatory

Question 39

How is social class determined in Canada?

Answer 39

Wealthy upper class, middle class (white collar), working/ lower class (blue collar)

Question 40

What is ascribed status?

Answer 40

Ascribed status: status that is assigned to a person at birth or through ageing (eg. age, gender, race, inherited social class)

Question 41

Explain in your own words what meritocracy is.

Answer 41

System based on ability: social system that gives advantages and opportunities to people on the basis of their ability rather than eg. wealth or seniority
Elite group: an elite group of people who achieved their positions on the basis of ability and achievement
Leadership by elite: leadership by an elite group of people who are chosen on the basis of their abilities and achievements

Question 42

Explain characteristics of the Wealthy Upper Class.

Answer 42

Make up 3-5% of the population
Inherited wealth
Members of this class go to the most expensive and highly respected universities
Networking of influential connections occurs in schools
After graduation many work as executives or government officials
Many of the richest Canadians use their wealth to endow universities, museums, and theatres

Question 43

Explain characteristics of the Middle Class

Answer 43

Determined by 1 of 2 things:
Income
Type of work
After the industrial revolution the middle class included:
Doctors
Lawyers
Office managers and employees
Factory owners
Since the late 20th century the middle class has grown due to higher attendance of university and college
Includes 40-50% of the population in Canada
This group has considerable influence on culture in Canada
The media mostly portrays middle-class values and lifestyles in an attempt to attract this large market

Question 44

What is the difference between white collar and blue collar workers?

Answer 44

At one time classes were distinguished by clothing (working class men wore caps and middle-upper class men wore fedoras)
Today there is little (if any) distinction between these social classes
The lines between classes have become blurred
Working-class families enjoy the consumer goods available to the middle class
Scholarships and student loans have enabled working-class children to join professions or highly skilled vocations

Question 45

describe the poor

Answer 45

Have many disadvantages in society:
Unable to acquire goods and services
live in less desirable neighbourhoods
Unable to rise above the circumstances due to lack of resources
Often passes from one generation to another
Children of poor families leave school before getting the required skills to get a good job
Marry young and have children before completion of education

Question 46

problem of indigenous peoples in canada

Answer 46

Poorer health.
Lower levels of education.
Inadequate housing and crowded living conditions.
Lower income levels.
Higher rates of unemployment.
Higher levels of incarceration.
Higher death rate among children and youth due unintentional injuries.
Higher rates of suicide.

Question 47

What happened to Jordan Anderson River

Answer 47

he was sick but able to go home from the hospital at 2 years old however the canadian goverment did not want to send him help and pay for it so they kept him in the hospital and he died at 5. He had lived his whole life in a hospital.

Question 48

The Story of John Moore

Answer 48

John Moore, an Ojibway man from Serpent River First Nation, was convicted of second degree murder in 1978. This happened despite the fact that he was not present when the crime was committed and had no role whatsoever in perpetrating it, and was based solely on him having spent time earlier that day with the individuals who committed the crime. His trials were tainted with systemic racism.