Test 1 Flashcards
Max Weber
- Idealism
- Rationalism
- Bureaucracy
Idealism
Culture is shaped by ideas and values
Rationalism
The organization of social and economic life according to the principle of efficiency and on the basis of technical knowledge
Bureaucracy
An organizational model rationally designed to perform tasks efficiently
6 Traits of Ideal Bureaucratic Organization
- Specialization
- Hierarchy of Offices
- Rules and Regulations
- Technical Competence
- Impersonality
- Formal, written communication
4 Problems with Modern Bureaucracy
- Alienation - dehumanizing
- Ritualism - Preoccupation with the rules
- Inertia - perpetuation of an organization
- Oligarchy - rule fo the few
Sociology
The scientific study of social behavior and human groups
Aguste Comte
- “Father of Sociology”
- Shows how people interact and how groups differ
- Shows how social units affect human behavior
- Understand forces that affect us
The Sociological Imagination
- C Wright Mills
- The ability to distinguish between an individual and the wider society, both in today and in the past
4 Areas of Social Change that Propelled Sociology
- Scientific Revolution
- Industrial Technology
- Urban Growth
- Political Change
4 Benefits of the Sociological Perspective
- Challenges familiar understandings of ourselves and of others
- Allows us to recognize both the opportunities and the constraints that characterize our lives
- Empowers us to be active participants in our society
- Helps us to recognize human diversity and to confront the challenges of living in a diverse world
Concept
An abstract idea that represents some aspects fo the world
Theory
A set of statements that seek to explain problems, actions, or behavior
Theoretical Perspective/Paradigm
A set of fundamental assumptions that guides thinking and research
3 Sociological Perspectives
- Structural Functionalism
- Social Conflict
- Symbolic Interactionist
3 Problems with the Sociological Perspective
- Does not explain every individuals behavior
- Society is always changing
- The sociological perspective can be discomforting at times
Structural Functionalism
- Based on the assumption that society is a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability - cooperation
- Social order and Stability
- Interdependent groups pursuing common goals
- Social consensus
- Focuses too much on social unity/stability, ignores social inequality/change
Social Conflict
- Based on the assumption that society is a complex system characterized by inequality and conflict that generates social change
- Conflicting groups each pursuing its own interests
- Through coercion, social order is imposed by powerful on the weak
- Social conflict, bourgeoisie => Proletariat
- Focuses too much on social inequality/change, ignores social unity/stability
Symbolic Interaction
- Based on the view that society is the product of the everyday interactions of individuals
- Interaction between individuals
- Composed of individuals whose actions depend on interpreting each other’s behavior
- Actions and reactions
- Definition of the situation
- Ignores large structures and overlooks large-scape problems
Macro-Level Orientation
- A concern with large-scale patterns that characterize society as a whole
- Structural Functionalism and Social Conflict
Micro-Level Orientation
- A concern with small scale patterns of social interaction in specific settings
- Symbolic Interaction
4 Approaches to Data/Research
- The Awestruck
- The Naïve
- The Cynical
- The Critic
The Awestruck
- Do not understand/care where information came from
- Blindly accept numbers and other information as having magic quality
The Naïve
- Slightly more sophisticated than awestruck
- Can understand basics like mean/percentages, but can become confused easily especially by big numbers
- Do not question data and assume validity
- Sometimes pass along flawed data
The Cynical
- Suspicious, negative or even hostile of all data/research
- “You can prove anything with statistics” attitude
- See research as flawed and simply as a means to promote agenda
- Point out flaws to opponents research while rarely examining research that promotes flavored cause
- Often are a source of flawed data
The Critical
- Approach data/research thoughtfully
- Avoid naïve acceptance and cynical rejection
- Attempt to evaluate data/research and distinguish between good (but never perfect) information and heavily flawed findings
- Use data/research but appreciate limitations
Scientific Method
A systematic, organized series of steps that ensures maximum objectivity and consistency in researching a problem
- Define Problem
- Review Literature
- Formulate Hypothess
- Collect and Analyze Data
- Select Sample
- Ensure Validity and Reliability
- Developing the Conclusion
Biological Metaphor
Structural Functionalism
Feminist Perspective
Social conflict
Applied/Clinical Sociology
Apply the discipline of sociology to the solution of practical problems in human behavior and organizations.
Basic Sociology
Sociological inquiry that seeks only a deeper knowledge of the fundamental aspects of social phenomena
