sociology: theories and institutions

Question 1

explain the difference between meso, micro, and macro levels

Answer 1

micro = families, local communities
meso = organizations, institutions
macro = national / international systems

Question 2

_________ is an approach to sociology that attempts to understand human actions and interaction by studying the symbols we use to communicate

Answer 2

symbolic interactionism

Question 3

the shared understanding of symbols is a ________ level phenomenon

Answer 3

micro / meso level

Question 4

what is one limitation to symbolic interactionism?

Answer 4

it overlooks macro level structures

Question 5

what is a social construct?

Answer 5

idea that has been created and accepted by the people in a society

Question 6

what are examples of social constructs?

Answer 6

symbols
abstract ideas
physical objects
work ethic
acceptable dress
gender roles

Question 7

social constructionism is useful for explaining _________ level sociological phenomenons

Answer 7

mirco and meso level

Question 8

what is a limitation of social constructionism?

Answer 8

cannot account for macro level sociological phenomena

Question 9

explain rational choice theory

Answer 9

humans will make rational choices to further their own self interest

people weigh the costs and benefits when making chooices, ranking their options based on maximizing perceieved benefit

Question 10

according to the rational choice theory, why do people choose to stay in / leave relationships?

Answer 10

stay = get something from the exchange
leave = more social costs then benefits

Question 11

rational choice theory is useful for explaining _________ level sociological phenomenons

Answer 11

micro / meso level

Question 12

what is a limitation to the rational choice theory?

Answer 12

it does ot easily exlain charitable, unselfish, illogical, altruistic behavior

Question 13

what is the conflict theory?

Answer 13

macro theory

karl marx

attempts to understand society by examining the inevitable conflicts between groups in society

powerful = maintain status quo
powerless = change comes through disruption and revolution

Question 14

__________ explains how large societies survive over long time periods (social cohesion and stability)

Answer 14

structural functionalism

*comarped society to an organisms and proposed that each group in soiety has a role to play in the overall health and operatin of society

Question 15

________ function is an intended consequence of the actions of a group within society

Answer 15

manifest function

Question 16

__________ functions are unintended but beneficial consequences

Answer 16

latent functions

Question 17

______ are negative consequences of the existence of an institution, organization, or interaction

Answer 17

dysfunctions

Question 18

what is a limitation of the structural functionalism theory?

Answer 18

not well suited for explaining social change

Question 19

what is the feminist theory?

Answer 19

critiques the institutional power structures that disadvantages women in society

Question 20

explain the difference between the glass ceiling and the glass escalator

Answer 20

glass ceiling = limit the progress of women to the highest job positions because of invisible social barriers to the promotion

glass escalator = invisible social forces that sometimes push men up to higher positions

Question 21

explain the four key tenets of medical ethics

Answer 21

beneficence = act in the patients best interest

nonmaleficence = do no harm (harm outweighs the benefits)

respect for patients autonomy = respect patients decisions

justice = treat similar patiens with similar care

Question 22

what are the 6 main social institutions?

Answer 22

1. education
2. family
3. healthcare
4. religion
5. government
6. economy