Sociology Test 2

Question 1

Anthropology

Answer 1

Anthropology is the study of the lives and cultures of human beings, alive or dead. It is the study of cultural factors – the arts, beliefs, habits, institutions, and other
endeavors; characteristics of specific communities, societies, or nations.

Question 2

Cultural anthropologists

Answer 2

live within a society to observe behavior in its natural setting
and to record descriptive anecdotal evidence.

Question 3

Sociology

Answer 3

Sociology explains the behavior of individuals as they interact in social groups, such
as in family settings and in differently organized communities.

Question 4

Sociological studies

Answer 4

are more concerned with the patterns of behavior observed in
large numbers of people or groups rather than with the behavior of individuals.

Question 5

Psychology

Answer 5

Psychology is the study of behavior based on mental processes. Its focus is how the individual thinks.

Question 6

Psychologists

Answer 6

use an understanding of mental processes and the characteristic
patterns of motivation that they call the personality to explain individual behavior.

Question 7

Social Science 4 Questions

Answer 7

What happens?
How does it happen?
Why does it happen?
How can people change what happens?

Question 8

Theory and Facts

Answer 8

-A theory is a framework used to organize and explain observable evidence.
-A theory needs facts to back it up.
-Gathering information needs a theory to make use of it.

Question 9

What is theory

Answer 9

-Theories are essential tools when conducting research. Should be suited to the task and used appropriately.
-Theory refers to positions and ideas intended to explain something.

Question 10

Theoretical Perspective

Answer 10

-Identifies a point of view based on a specific theory.
-An understanding of individuals and families requires factual evidence organized from a specific theoretical perspective.

Question 11

Macro Vs Micro Perspectives

Answer 11

Macro theories study the interaction between society and institutions such as the law, family, and politics, etc.

Micro theories emphasize the relationships within individual families.

Question 12

Status

Answer 12

A specific position within a social group

Question 13

Role

Answer 13

Set of behaviors that an individual is expected to demonstrate within a status

Question 14

Norms

Answer 14

The most prevalent behavior that occurs; consistent behavior.

Question 15

Double Standards

Answer 15

Biases that apply different standards for evaluating the behavior of men and women.

Question 16

Androcentricity

Answer 16

A bias that assumes male experience is human experience and therefore also applies to women.

Question 17

Normative Events

Answer 17

The predictable events in life that require a developmental change in behavior.

Question 18

Structural Functionalism

Answer 18

The oldest sociological theory is also used by anthropologists. The structure that shapes society; how do we function; macro approach.
Takes a macro approach, a broad focus on social structures that shape society.
Functionalists believe that everything and everybody in society has a function that makes society run smoothly. (Everyone has a role to maintain).
The roles are all interdependent. Social change can upset the balance in society.

Question 19

Systems Theory

Answer 19

It examines how family members interact as a system, a set of different parts that work together & influence one another, the goal is to maintain stability.
Family systems have complex organizations.
A change in one member causes changes in all members.
Each subsystem (family, interpersonal, personal) has its own rule and characteristics.
Members are added through birth, adoption, cohabitation, or marriage & can only leave by divorce, separation, or death.

Question 20

Symbolic Interactionism Theory (Charles Cooley Involved)

Answer 20

Processes of perception and interpretation in determining behavior
Look at how individuals behave based on their perceptions of themselves and others.
It is this meaning that matters, not the social facts.

Question 21

Individuals develop a two-part “self”:

Answer 21

“Me” ( qualities, concrete things ie. tall, teacher, athlete)
“I “(subjective awareness of self, interpretation of feedback ie, shy, bad teacher, good athlete)

Question 22

Effective Interaction

Answer 22

Effective interaction requires communication using a common language, shared symbols.

Question 23

Social Exchange Theory

Answer 23

Making choices based on costs & benefits. (It is reciprocal).
Maximize benefits (physical/emotional security, access to goods & services, social approval) and minimize costs (providing the aforementioned).
Individuals know what they have to offer & what they need.
Social roles are stable when the exchange is equal; benefits = costs
Benefits & costs are based on perceptions, not facts.

Question 24

Family Life Cycle “Life Course” Theory

Answer 24

Look at the behavior demonstrated by individuals or families at various stages.
Examines the biological, psychological and social & cultural factors that influence development.
Stages are marked by normative events: life, marriage, the birth of children etc.
Some families will face non-normative events (death of a child, that will present unique challenges).

Question 25

Conflict Theory (Karl Marx Involved)

Answer 25

A sociological/ political theory that examines how “power” holds society together.
Conflict exists because of inequities in power (the ability to control the behavior of others).
Used to criticize rather than explain.
Society is organized into groups to divide people according to their power, groups compete to meet their needs, and competition can result in exploitation (ie. oppression in the U.S, Karl Marx)
Developed in the 19th century when inequities were great. (Power struggle)

Question 26

Feminism Theory

Answer 26

Social and political theories that examine the impact of sex and gender on behaviour, look at the family is an exploitive instiutuion.

Question 27

3 Sub-Topics of Feminism Theory

Answer 27

Liberal: Discrimination policies force women into a social class that restricts their rights to fully participate in society
Socialist: Status of women based on inequalities rooted in the division of paid and unpaid labor.
Radical: Power issues always exist when a male-female relationship is involved.

Question 28

Explain Why a Toy Company Seeks Assistance From a Sociologist?

Answer 28

Sociologists analyze the interaction of behavior in society as a whole.
Who (Male/Gender), Age Groups,
Sociologists determine what is the norm/ what individuals will gravitate towards. What the typical trend clientele would want.

Question 29

Who was Karl Marx?

Answer 29

Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a philosopher, author, social theorist, and economist. He is famous for his theories about capitalism, socialism, and communism.

Question 30

Proletariat

Answer 30

The Working People

Question 31

Bourgeoise

Answer 31

Those who controlled the means of production (wealthy business owners)

Question 32

Development Tasks

Answer 32

Role expectations that challenge humans to develop

Question 33

Freiderich Engels

Answer 33

German Sociologist, Suggested that the division between the sexes in marriage paralleled the division of the classes in society.

Question 34

Demographics

Answer 34

:An analysis of of statistical data of a group