Sociology Exam 1 Notes

Question 1

is a science or study of social groups;

the study of forms of social groups or modes of an organization. the processes which tend to maintain or change these forms or organizations and the relations between groups.

Answer 1

Sociology

Question 2

Is Sociology Really a Science?
By definition a science is a systematic effort to develop general principles about a particular subject matter, based on actual observation and stated in a form that can be tested by any competent person…this is done in sociology…therefore, yes it is a science!

Answer 2

It is a social science, like psychology, instead of a natural science, like anatomy or chemistry.

Question 3

is the study of group behavior patterns and

it begins at the arrangement conference and ends at the graveside

Answer 3

Sociology

Question 4

is the study of individual behavior patterns

it begins at the time of death and ends at ones acceptance of death

Answer 4

Psychology

Question 5

consist of abstract patterns (the rules, ideas, and beliefs shared by members of society) of living and dying.

Answer 5

Culture

Question 6

It is the unique and distinctive way of life which regulates ones arts, laws, theories, beliefs, knowledge, morals and all basic patterns of living

Answer 6

Culture

Question 7

Funeral Service and Sociology
Funeral service practitioners must understand the cultural requirements of their client families. Each family is unique with many of their needs and wants based on their culture.

Answer 7

How do we learn our Culture?
We begin to learn our culture at birth.
2 ways in which we began this learning
1) direct learning: learning that comes from parents and formal education
2) indirect learning: learning that comes from our cultural environments by observing them.
Language is one of the major carries of culture. You can sometimes tell ones culture through their values and shared ideas about desirable goals

Question 8

AkA Socialization; is a process beginning at birth where individuals learn social values like the thoughts and actions of their society. This is how people learn the value of a funeral rite within their society.

Answer 8

Enculturation

Question 9

It dictates what people can and can’t do in regards to death and funeral rites, these then become known as the “customs” of death and funeral rites in their society.

Answer 9

enculturation

Question 10

is a large social grouping that shares the same geographical territory and is subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations.

Answer 10

Society

Question 11

Small but identifiable units which have distinctive traits uniques to themselves but can still be connected to the bigger culture by common traits

Answer 11

Subcultures

Subcultures are still a part of the bigger culture but have some ways and thoughts unique to themselves

Question 12

Subcultures can be based on:

Answer 12

Geographic locations
Religious beliefs
Ethnic groups
Language

Question 13

People become part of subcultures for many different reasons, above is just a few of the foundations for some subcultures

Answer 13

What Culture and Subcultures Teach its Members!
As we have already seen cultures and subcultures teach its members how to act and think. But exactly how is that done? It is done through customs, taboos, mores, folkways, and laws.

Question 14

a social behavior as dictated by the tradition of the people in that culture; taught by enculturation

Answer 14

Customs:

Question 15

a must-behavior that dictates that the individual must abstain (refrain) from certain acts dealing with death.
Must not do these or get a huge reaction from society

Answer 15

Taboos:

Question 16

can be morally binding and must be followed; must-behaviors that are basic and important patterns of ideas and acts of people as related to treatment of the dead.

If these are violated one will get a strong reaction from society. (i.e. - You wouldn’t put grandma out by the trash when she passed. You would give her a proper burial)

Answer 16

Mores:

Question 17

behaviors which are construed as somewhat less compulsive than mores of the same society, and do not call for a strong reaction from the society if violated.
Example is pulling to side of the road or remove hat when a procession passes

Answer 17

Folkways:

Question 18

a must-behavior not necessarily a basic or important pattern of a people (related to death) but one which is enforced by those governing; a rule or action prescribed by an authority able to enforce its will.
Example is death certificate or following the rules of the provisional program in order to get licensed.

Answer 18

Laws:

Question 19

Most members of a culture and subculture develop pride in their culture and subculture beliefs and customs, but some begin to think that their culture is superior to all others.

Answer 19

Ethnocentrism

Question 20

keep the emotional idea that all cultures are equal and pertinent!

Answer 20

cultural relativism

Question 21

No matter how different some cultures may be there are a few common traits that can be seen throughout them.
Examples are marriage government funeral rites

Answer 21

cultural universals

Question 22

The Cultural Universal of the Response to Death

Answer 22

All have Announcement of death
All have Care for the dead
All use a method of Disposition
All want to find a way to Memorialize the dead
All use some type of Ceremony/Ritual

Question 23

an all inclusive term used to encompass all funerals and/or memorial services. The funeral rite is a social function.

Answer 23

Funeral Rite:

Question 24

a rite (any event performed in a solemn and prescribed manner) with the body present

Answer 24

Funeral:

Question 25

a rite where the body is not present

Answer 25

Memorial Service:

Question 26

an instrumental action dealing with death, that is also expressional and that may or may not be charged with Symbolic content expressing, among other things, the attitudes of the participants and possible onlookers (passive participants) who may be regarded as co-beneficiaries.

Answer 26

Ceremony:

Question 27

Things to which socially created meaning is given.

-Example: the cross can be seen and people interpret it as a religious symbol and understand what it stands for.

Answer 27

Symbols:

Question 28

Three Basic Family Governments

Answer 28

1. Patriarchal:
2. Matriarchal:
3. Egalitarian:

Question 29

The father rules the family; power is passed to the oldest male child

Answer 29

Patriarchal:

Question 30

The mother rules the family

Answer 30

Matriarchal:

Question 31

The male and female have equal rights, duties, and governing power.

Answer 31

Egalitarian:

Question 32

There are several different types of family structures/systems
Family structures/systems let the funeral director get an idea on how the family works and can then understand the impact that the loss will have on that structure/system.
By knowing family structures/systems funeral directors can begin to determine some possible issues they may run into while serving that family

Answer 32

Family Structures/Systems

Question 33

 Father and mother
 All Children (except married daughters)
 Son’s wives and children (except married daughters)

Answer 33

Extended (Joint) Family:

Question 34

o Agriculturally based (usually grow own food)
o Economically self-sufficient
o Patriarchal form of family government
o Have restricted mobility (usually due to duties of the farm)
o Religious, usually begin religion by teaching children bible stories
o Tend to be Conservative

Answer 34

Characteristics of a Joint Family:

Question 35

o Because so large, another member would take on responsibility
o If parent dies other remaining family members would step in
Example: Amish communities; Indian tribes; Extremely prevalent during time of share cropping

Answer 35

Impact of Death on Joint Families

Question 36

 One man and one woman married to each other

 Their children if any exist.

Answer 36

Nuclear Family:

Question 37

o Can be either patriarchal, matriarchal, or egalitarian
o Total income of unit determines economic standing
o Religion is usually taught at an institution
o Tend to be highly mobile (will move is another area offers better opportunities)
o Usually more liberal in thought, dress, and actions

Answer 37

Characteristics of a Nuclear Family:

Question 38

o Usually has great impact on the structure/system due to its small size
o If decedent contributed to the income it can cause economic hardships for the surviving
members
o Remaining spouse will be left to raise children and maintain the household
o They will then re-inter society as a widow or widower
Example: Leave it to Beaver or The Simpson’s

Answer 38

Impact of Death on Nuclear Families:

Question 39

 Related nuclear familie(s) and/ or their friendships
 Begins with nuclear family then develops kinship and or friendship with other nuclear families
 Developed for security, protection and help

Answer 39

Modified Extended Family:

Question 40

o Much like nuclear family however, kinships and or friendships become very important to family
o Kinships and or friendships offer assistance, emotional support and other needs
Example: I Love Lucy, Lucy & Ricky befriended their neighbors Fred and Ethel

Answer 40

Impact of Death on Modified Extended Families:

Question 41

 One adult either male or female

 Their children

Answer 41

Single Parent Family:

Question 42

 One male and one female
 Children from previous marriages of either/both
 Children from their current marriage/union
Example: The Brady Bunch

Answer 42

Blended Family:

Question 43

Remember the majority of people are living in a nuclear family structure or modified extended family system.

Answer 43

Remember the majority of people are living in a nuclear family structure or modified extended family system.

Question 44

Event which allows those who have something in common with each other to deal with one another in regard to that which they share.

Answer 44

Social function

Question 45

Are organized, flexible, purposeful, group-centered, time-limited response to the death of an individual that is conducted with reverence, dignity and respect.

Answer 45

Funeral Rites