sociology: theories and institutions Flashcards
explain the difference between meso, micro, and macro levels
micro = families, local communities
meso = organizations, institutions
macro = national / international systems
_________ is an approach to sociology that attempts to understand human actions and interaction by studying the symbols we use to communicate
symbolic interactionism
the shared understanding of symbols is a ________ level phenomenon
micro / meso level
what is one limitation to symbolic interactionism?
it overlooks macro level structures
what is a social construct?
idea that has been created and accepted by the people in a society
what are examples of social constructs?
symbols
abstract ideas
physical objects
work ethic
acceptable dress
gender roles
social constructionism is useful for explaining _________ level sociological phenomenons
mirco and meso level
what is a limitation of social constructionism?
cannot account for macro level sociological phenomena
explain rational choice theory
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
according to the rational choice theory, why do people choose to stay in / leave relationships?
stay = get something from the exchange
leave = more social costs then benefits
rational choice theory is useful for explaining _________ level sociological phenomenons
micro / meso level
what is a limitation to the rational choice theory?
it does ot easily exlain charitable, unselfish, illogical, altruistic behavior
what is the conflict theory?
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
__________ explains how large societies survive over long time periods (social cohesion and stability)
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
________ function is an intended consequence of the actions of a group within society
manifest function
__________ functions are unintended but beneficial consequences
latent functions
______ are negative consequences of the existence of an institution, organization, or interaction
dysfunctions
what is a limitation of the structural functionalism theory?
not well suited for explaining social change
what is the feminist theory?
critiques the institutional power structures that disadvantages women in society
explain the difference between the glass ceiling and the glass escalator
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
explain the four key tenets of medical ethics
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
what are the 6 main social institutions?
- education
- family
- healthcare
- religion
- government
- economy
