Sociology - Unit 1- Youth

Question 1

What is Sociology?

Answer 1

The study of human groups and social behaviour

Question 2

Scientific methods

Answer 2

Research based on observable, factual and measurable evidence that preceded from observation, hypothesis-testing then evaluation.

Question 3

Sociological imagination

Answer 3

A form of critical thinking that examines the social world from multiple points of view. It sees the social in individual behaviour.

Question 4

Theory

Answer 4

A statement about the way world is believed to work. The role of sociological theories is to explain social behaviour in the real world. For example, why are some people racist or sexist or ageist?

Question 5

Sociological perspective

Answer 5

A collection of theories that provides researches with a model guide and reflect upon their social research.

Question 6

Functionalism

Answer 6

Each part of society is interdependent and contributes to society “functioning” as a whole. When a social system works well, society remains stable and is productive. When things do not go well society has to adapt in order to re-establish society.

Question 7

Marxism

Answer 7

Societies exploitation of the poor by the rich and powerful. Social conflict - especially class conflict and competition - exists in all societies. Societies economic system shapes peoples’ norms, values, customs and beliefs. It also influences how political, government and education system are structured.

Question 8

Feminism

Answer 8

The effect of gender differences on social experiences. Women experience widespread inequality in society because as a group they have little power. Gender, ethnicity, race, age, sexual orientation and social class are judged on rather than a person’s intelligence and access to resources.

Question 9

Research methods

Answer 9

The ways in which researches collect data, conduct research and analyse findings.

Question 10

Experiment

Answer 10

Controlled research that involves testing the effect of one variable on another variable, usually by comparing results from a control group to an experimental group.

Question 11

Survey

Answer 11

Research involving participants responding to a set of questions or statements that are usually analysed statistically.

Question 12

Questionnaire

Answer 12

Research involving a set of planned questions for participants to answer which is usually analysed statistically.

Question 13

Interview

Answer 13

Research where a participant is asked to answer a series of questions through a one-on-one conversation.

Question 14

Fieldwork

Answer 14

Research involving the careful observation and recording of participant behaviour in a natural setting.

Question 15

Participant observation

Answer 15

Research involving the careful watching and recording of participant (subject) behaviour in a clinical or natural setting.

Question 16

Secondary analysis

Answer 16

Research with data conducted by someone else.

Question 17

Historical analysis

Answer 17

Research using primary sources and their original evidence to form accounts of the past.

Question 18

Quantitative data

Answer 18

Numerical information that has been collected in research the reflects the amount or ‘quantity’ of what is being studied. Numbers data

Question 19

Qualitative data

Answer 19

Descriptive information that’s been collected in research –includes words, descriptions pictures and other qualities of what is being studied. Commonly used in the social sciences. Quality data.

Question 20

Prejudice

Answer 20

A +tive or -tive preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience: English prejudice against foreigners.

Question 21

Discrimination

Answer 21

The unequal treatment towards a category of people.

Question 22

Ethnicity

Answer 22

The fact or state of belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural tradition.

Question 23

Social class

Answer 23

The social identity & status of groups of people based on shared social & economic background.

Question 24

Intergenerational inequity

Answer 24

Disadvantage that passes across multiple generations within the one family

Question 25

Cultural hybridity

Answer 25

The process of combining & drawing upon different cultural & ethnic identities to create a new hybridised culture, slightly changing the dominant culture in the process.

Question 26

Sociological discourse

Answer 26

A discourse is a way of reflecting on data & observations made about people or an event. Opinions are based upon a collection of beliefs, ‘truths’, myths & the language of a culture/subculture.

Question 27

Stereotype

Answer 27

Assumptions about individuals based on their social group, looks, age, race, sex, rather than individual characteristics.

Question 28

Youth

Answer 28

A socially constructed, age-based, social category appropriate to Western societies which usually includes young people between the ages of 12 & 24.

Question 29

Adolescence

Answer 29

A term describing the period of onset puberty to full physiological maturation.

Question 30

Gender

Answer 30

Refers to socially and culturally constructed categories of feminine and masculine, as compared to the biological categories of sex (f/m)

Question 31

Sexual Orientation

Answer 31

A persons physical and/or attraction to the same and/or opposite gender

Question 32

Baby Boomers

Answer 32

Australians who were born between 1946 & 1964

Question 33

Generation Y

Answer 33

Australians who were born between 1980 & 1994

Question 34

Generation Z

Answer 34

Australians who were born between 1995 & 2009

Question 35

Generation X

Answer 35

A generation of people born between 1963 & 1980. Described as individualistic, flexible, technology proficient & possessing a strong work/life balance

Question 36

Digital native

Answer 36

A person born into a generation in which information & communication technology (ICT) already existed, & who has therefore used ICT from a young age.

Question 37

Digital immigrant

Answer 37

A person who was born before the prevalence of info & ICT and subsequently learnt to use it later in life

Question 38

Subculture

Answer 38

A minority group containing members who are categorised with shared characteristics or interests such as norms, values, ethnicity, social class or sexual orientation.

Question 39

Social Sustainability

Answer 39

A type of social planning that puts into place arrangements to meet the social needs of the current generation without compromising the institutional stability and viability of future generations.