Sociology Flashcards

1
Q

Sociology

A

Study of societies. Human societies are made up of institutions, groups, and individuals. Sociology studies how these 3 levels interact.

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2
Q

5 Major Areas of Study

A
population studies
social behaviors
cultural influences
 social change
social institutions
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3
Q

Population Studies

A

Observing social patterns of groups of people who live in the same area

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4
Q

Social Behaviors

A

Study of the way general behaviors change over time, and attitudes like morale, desire for conformity, and other aspects of social interaction

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5
Q

Cultural Influences

A

Influences of culture (such as art, religion, language, and overall knowledge) on social groups

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6
Q

Social Change

A

Study of the way societies change over time - major wars, revolutions, or the influence of technology on human interaction

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7
Q

Social Institutions

A

Study of the way people organize themselves to fit particular roles in a society - creating churches, hospitals, government, businesses, schools, etc. Also studies the way these organizations change over time, or to fit the particular needs and beliefs of a society

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8
Q

Methods of Gathering Data

A

Surveys - direct question of members of the group under study
Controlled Experiments - Performing experiments that change an element of society
Field Observations - Living within a particular group to observe how they interact and live

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9
Q

Socialization

A

The process by which individuals learn to function within a specific culture, group, or society. Social contact is vital in early childhood, so children can function in society when they grow up.
Children learn from family, peers, and media. Children observe behaviors and adapt them to their own use, this process continues throughout life as individuals learn to adapt to new situations and groups.

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10
Q

Social Groups

A

Social groups are defined by how they begin, how they develop, and how they interact with wider society.
5 Major Classifications: Primary, Secondary, Reference, In - Groups/Out - Groups, Social Networks

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11
Q

Primary Groups

A

Focus on members’ need for support. Family or friends.

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12
Q

Secondary Groups

A

Form around the need to complete a task

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13
Q

Reference Groups

A

Help to form an individual’s identity

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14
Q

In-groups and Out-groups

A

Exclude members of other groups

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15
Q

Social Networks

A

Provide multiple links to a large number of individuals

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16
Q

5 Forms of Social Interaction

A

Cooperation, Coercion, Conflict, Conformity, and Social Exchange
These can make, break, or change a social group

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17
Q

6 Major Social Institutions

A

Family, Education, Political Institutions, Economic Institutions, and Sports

18
Q

Family

A

The basic unit of any society. Considered the most important institution to study in sociology.

19
Q

Education

A

In many societies, the values and norms of culture are communicated through institutionalized education in addition to through the family unit.

20
Q

Political Institutions

A

Determine the distribution of of power

21
Q

Economic Institutions

A

Determine the distribution of wealth

22
Q

Religion

A

Provides beliefs that can help unify a culture. May also foster in - group/out-group identity.

23
Q

Sport

A

May reflect values of a society, promotes unity and identity, and provides an outlet for aggression.

24
Q

3 Processes of Cultural Change

A

Discovery - finding things that already exist (i.e. fire)
Invention - Creating new equipment or machinery to change the way things are accomplished
Diffusion - borrowing from other cultures

25
Q

Cultural Traits

A

Over 70 identified. Divided into categories:

  • arts
  • language
  • environment
  • recreation
  • economy
  • institution
  • beliefs
26
Q

Race and Ethnicity

A

In general, relationships between different races and ethnicity in the US are defined by either assimilation or conflict.

27
Q

Forms of Assimilation

A

Anglo-Conformity, Cultural Pluralism, Accommodation, Melting Pot

28
Q

Anglo - Conformity

A

Racial and ethnic minorities conform to the expectations of Anglo - American society by choice, necessity, or force

29
Q

Cultural Pluralism

A

Acceptance of a variety of ethnic and cultural groups

30
Q

Accommodation

A

Mutual adaption between majority and minority groups

31
Q

Melting Pot

A

The mixing of various ethnic groups to bring about a new cultural group

32
Q

Patterns of Conflict

A

Population Transfer - one group is forced to leave
Subjugation - one group exercises control over another
Genocide - one group slaughters the other

33
Q

Gender Discrimination

A

It is believed that increasing the standing of women in a society is a major element in increasing the overall livelihood of that society

34
Q

Age Discrimination

A

Some societies value the elderly for their experience, while others do not value them because of their decreased physical ability and decreased contribution to the economy. 10% of the elderly population of the US lives in poverty. Care for the elderly is of growing concern as the average lifespan increases.

35
Q

Auguste Comte

A

French Philosopher. First used the term sociology to describe the study of human organizations and culture. Believed social behavior and major events can be measured scientifically. Theory of Positivism. Considered the first sociologist in the Western world.

36
Q

Theory of Positivism

A

Auguste Comte: Relies entirely on physical and sensory data to describe and evaluate the human experience. Did not include the metaphysical.

37
Q

Emilie Durkheim

A

Through Durkheim’s efforts, sociology began to be considered a discipline by universities. Heavily influenced by Comte’s Theory of Positivism, felt the larger world was influenced by group beliefs and attitudes, and cultural aspects, rather than by individuals. Performed studies on the cause of higher suicide rates in some societies. Discussed the concept of anomie - people affected by larger changes in society such as unemployment or alienation of social groups.

38
Q

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels

A

Theorized that society could be boiled down to a struggle between the upper and lower classes, which would eventually lead to a revolution by the working class. Wrote ‘The Communist Manifesto.’ Theorized that work itself is a social institution that involves large groups of people.

39
Q

Herbert Spencer

A

Credited with the idea of Social Darwinism. Darwin did not agree with him, but he used Darwin’s idea of survival of the fittest (Spencer coined the term) to explain class differences and the way society changes. Believed competition is the driving force behind a society’s development.

40
Q

Max Weber

A

Theorized that the differing religions of the East and West led to differences in societal development. Believed Protestant Christianity influenced the development of Capitalism in the West. Also stated that the state felt violence was a legitimate means of protecting its citizens or enforcing a rule.