Sociology Flashcards
Sociology
Study of societies. Human societies are made up of institutions, groups, and individuals. Sociology studies how these 3 levels interact.
5 Major Areas of Study
population studies social behaviors cultural influences social change social institutions
Population Studies
Observing social patterns of groups of people who live in the same area
Social Behaviors
Study of the way general behaviors change over time, and attitudes like morale, desire for conformity, and other aspects of social interaction
Cultural Influences
Influences of culture (such as art, religion, language, and overall knowledge) on social groups
Social Change
Study of the way societies change over time - major wars, revolutions, or the influence of technology on human interaction
Social Institutions
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
Methods of Gathering Data
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
Socialization
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.
Social Groups
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
Primary Groups
Focus on members’ need for support. Family or friends.
Secondary Groups
Form around the need to complete a task
Reference Groups
Help to form an individual’s identity
In-groups and Out-groups
Exclude members of other groups
Social Networks
Provide multiple links to a large number of individuals
5 Forms of Social Interaction
Cooperation, Coercion, Conflict, Conformity, and Social Exchange
These can make, break, or change a social group
6 Major Social Institutions
Family, Education, Political Institutions, Economic Institutions, and Sports
Family
The basic unit of any society. Considered the most important institution to study in sociology.
Education
In many societies, the values and norms of culture are communicated through institutionalized education in addition to through the family unit.
Political Institutions
Determine the distribution of of power
Economic Institutions
Determine the distribution of wealth
Religion
Provides beliefs that can help unify a culture. May also foster in - group/out-group identity.
Sport
May reflect values of a society, promotes unity and identity, and provides an outlet for aggression.
3 Processes of Cultural Change
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
Cultural Traits
Over 70 identified. Divided into categories:
- arts
- language
- environment
- recreation
- economy
- institution
- beliefs
Race and Ethnicity
In general, relationships between different races and ethnicity in the US are defined by either assimilation or conflict.
Forms of Assimilation
Anglo-Conformity, Cultural Pluralism, Accommodation, Melting Pot
Anglo - Conformity
Racial and ethnic minorities conform to the expectations of Anglo - American society by choice, necessity, or force
Cultural Pluralism
Acceptance of a variety of ethnic and cultural groups
Accommodation
Mutual adaption between majority and minority groups
Melting Pot
The mixing of various ethnic groups to bring about a new cultural group
Patterns of Conflict
Population Transfer - one group is forced to leave
Subjugation - one group exercises control over another
Genocide - one group slaughters the other
Gender Discrimination
It is believed that increasing the standing of women in a society is a major element in increasing the overall livelihood of that society
Age Discrimination
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.
Auguste Comte
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.
Theory of Positivism
Auguste Comte: Relies entirely on physical and sensory data to describe and evaluate the human experience. Did not include the metaphysical.
Emilie Durkheim
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.
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
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.
Herbert Spencer
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.
Max Weber
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.
