Sociology Unit

Question 1

What is sociology the study of?

Answer 1

Sociology is the study of society

Question 2

What is sociology the scientific study of?

Answer 2

Sociology is the scientific study of social aggregations and the entities humans move about in

Question 3

Describe the benefits of studying sociology.

Answer 3

1. It can be liberating
2. Can teach us who we are and what we can become
3. Can help us make the best future for all

Question 4

Explain what the main goals of sociologist are.

Answer 4

Sociologists main goals are to find and explain the issues we face connected to social structures and groups

Question 5

Define social structures

Answer 5

Stable patterns of social relations

Question 6

What are the three levels of social structure?

Answer 6

1. Microstructures
2. Macrostructures
3. Global Structures

Question 7

Patterns of intimate social relations formed during face to face interaction

Answer 7

Microstructures

Question 8

Patterns of social relations outside and above the national level

Answer 8

Global structures

Question 9

Patterns of social relations outside and above one’s circle of intimates and acquaintances

Answer 9

Macrostructures

Question 10

What is sociological imagination? Apply this example to a real life situation.

Answer 10

The ability to see the connection between personal troubles and social structures

Question 11

What were the three revolutions that are classified as the origins of social imagination.

Answer 11

1. 1550 the scientific revolution
2. 1750 the democratic revolution.
3. 1780 the industrial revolution

Question 12

Auguste Comte

Answer 12

Wanted to understand the world using scientific methods

Question 13

What term did Auguste Comte coin?

Answer 13

The term sociology

Question 14

What was sociology based off of?

Answer 14

Scientific methods

Question 15

Herbert Spencer

Answer 15

Made the theory that societies evolve the same as biological species

Question 16

What ideology did Herbert Spencer create?

Answer 16

Social dwarnism

Question 17

What period did sociology emerge from?

Answer 17

Modernity

Question 18

Define theories

Answer 18

Tentative explanations that state how and why certain facts are related

Question 19

Define research

Answer 19

The process of systematically observing reality to assess the validity of a theory

Question 20

Durkheim

Answer 20

Argued that suicide rates variation was caused by differences in a degree of social solidarity.

Question 21

Define social solidarity

Answer 21

The degree to which group members share beliefs and values, and the intensity and frequency of their interaction.

Question 22

Define Values

Answer 22

Ideas about what is good and bad, right and wrong

Question 23

How do values help sociologists?

Answer 23

Values help sociologists formulate and favour certain theories over others.

Question 24

What was Talcott Parsons idea?

Answer 24

That various institutions must work together to ensure the smooth operation of society as a whole.

Question 25

What was Robert Merton’s idea?

Answer 25

That social structures may have different consequences for different groups of people, and some may be dysfunctional.

Question 26

What are manifest functions?

Answer 26

Obvious and intended effects o social structures

Question 27

What are latent functions?

Answer 27

Non-obvious and unintended effects of social structures