Sociology

Question 1

Sociology

Answer 1

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

Question 2

5 Major Areas of Study

Answer 2

population studies
social behaviors
cultural influences
 social change
social institutions

Question 3

Population Studies

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Social Behaviors

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Cultural Influences

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Social Change

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Social Institutions

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Methods of Gathering Data

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Socialization

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Social Groups

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Primary Groups

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Secondary Groups

Answer 12

Form around the need to complete a task

Question 13

Reference Groups

Answer 13

Help to form an individual’s identity

Question 14

In-groups and Out-groups

Answer 14

Exclude members of other groups

Question 15

Social Networks

Answer 15

Provide multiple links to a large number of individuals

Question 16

5 Forms of Social Interaction

Answer 16

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

Question 17

6 Major Social Institutions

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Family

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Education

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Political Institutions

Answer 20

Determine the distribution of of power

Question 21

Economic Institutions

Answer 21

Determine the distribution of wealth

Question 22

Religion

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Sport

Answer 23

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

Question 24

3 Processes of Cultural Change

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Cultural Traits

Answer 25

Over 70 identified. Divided into categories:

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

Question 26

Race and Ethnicity

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Forms of Assimilation

Answer 27

Anglo-Conformity, Cultural Pluralism, Accommodation, Melting Pot

Question 28

Anglo - Conformity

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Cultural Pluralism

Answer 29

Acceptance of a variety of ethnic and cultural groups

Question 30

Accommodation

Answer 30

Mutual adaption between majority and minority groups

Question 31

Melting Pot

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Patterns of Conflict

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Gender Discrimination

Answer 33

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

Question 34

Age Discrimination

Answer 34

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.

Question 35

Auguste Comte

Answer 35

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.

Question 36

Theory of Positivism

Answer 36

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

Question 37

Emilie Durkheim

Answer 37

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.

Question 38

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels

Answer 38

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.

Question 39

Herbert Spencer

Answer 39

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.

Question 40

Max Weber

Answer 40

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.