Test #2 Flashcards
Chapter 2 and 3
What is a advantage and disadvantage of ethnography/participant observation?
Advantage- reshape the stereotypes we hold about others and influence social policy.
Disadvantage- An ethnographic study’s degree of representativeness—whether
a particular study can apply to anything larger.
What is a advantage and disadvantage of interviews?
Advantages- Interviews allow respondents to speak in their own words; they can reveal their own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs, internal states that would not necessarily be accessible by any other means. In many other instances, it is the researcher who tells the story.
Disadvantage- Although most interview respondents are forthcoming and truthful, not all are. A few may be selective about what they say in order to present themselves in a favorable light. Sometimes they are difficult to talk to, and at other times they may try too hard to be helpful
What is a advantage and disadvantage of surveys?
Advantage- Strong on reliability - same kind of data can be collected each time
Disadvantage- Survey research generally lacks qualitative data that might better capture the social reality the researcher wishes to examine
What is a advantage and disadvantage of
experimental methods?
Advantage- Experiments have replicability. Experiments can be repeated, and the findings tested more than once.
Disadvantage- Experiments are applicable only to certain types of research that can be constructed and and measured in a controlled setting
What is a advantage and disadvantage of social network analysis?
Advantage- Social network analysis can trace the route of just about anything—an idea, disease, rumor, or
trend—as it moves through a social group, community, or society.
Disadvantage- Social network analysis, because it is often quantitative, can gloss over important details and
diversity in the experiences of social actors
Define spurious
correlation
the appearance of causation produced by an intervening variable
Lickert Scale (Survey)
a way of formatting a survey questionnaire so that the respondent can choose an answer along a continuum
Experimental Methods
Closely resemble the “scientific methods”
2 basic goals:
- To develop precise tools for observation, measurement and recording of data
- To attempt to control for all possible variables except the one under investigation
Experimental Group
Members a of a test group who receive the experimental treatment
Control group
Members of a test group who are allowed to continue without interference so that they can be compared with the experimental group
Independent Variable
The factor that is predicted to cause the change
Dependent Variable
The factor that is changed (or not) by the independent variable
Existing Sources
Called “unobtrusive measures”
-Comparative Historical research
Studies relationships at various historical periods and among different cultures
Content Analysis
-Looking for Themes/patterns in texts, images etc. to analyze variables and relationships among them
What are the advantage and disadvantage of Existing Sources ?
Advantage- Ability to work with info that the researcher could not otherwise obtain
Disadvantage- Researchers may be trying to answer questions the original writers had in mind.
What is the difference between Basic and applied research?
Reflexivity
The effect the researcher has on the people being experimented on
What is the difference between Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism?
Ethnocentrism is using one’s own culture as a means or standard to judge an different, viewing them as inferior
Cultural Relativism is understanding other cultures on their own terms, rather than judging according to one’s own culture
What is the difference between Material vs Non- Material; give example to each
Materials- the objects associated with a cultural group, such as tools, machines, utensils, buildings, and artwork;
any physical object to which we give social meaning
Ex: Untensils
Non-Materials- the ideas associated with a cultural group, including ways of thinking (beliefs, values, and
assumptions) and ways of behaving (norms, interactions, and communication)
Ex: Language and beliefs
Language
Language is the most significant part of culture because all cultures have language
Signs
symbols that stand for or convey an idea
Saphir-Whorf hypothesis
the idea that culture is imbedded in language.
What is the relationship between Norms and Values ?
Values are ideas accepted as the right thing
These values help create Norms
Norms are the guidelines for behavior
Out of Folkways, Taboos, and Mores, which one is Closely related to the core values of society (Moral Significance )
Answer: Mores
*However they are all related to the norms and values of society
Sanctions
(Means of enforcing Norms)
positive or negative reactions to the ways that people follow or disobey norms, including rewards for conformity and punishments for violation
“Sanctions help establish social
control and social cohesion
(double edged sword)
For example a promotion or demotion at a job
Dominant Culture
The values, morals and practices of
the most powerful groups in the culture in terms of wealth, power, prestige, status, influence etc.
What are the differences between sub cultures and counter cultures?
Sub Culture- a group within society that is differentiated by its distinctive values, norms, and lifestyle ( wants to be left alone)
Counter Culture- a group within society that openly rejects or actively opposes society’s values and norms (against values of society)
Hegemony
definition- A term to describe the cultural aspects of social control, whereby the ideas of the dominant group are
accepted by all. (Nazis)
- wants all people to agree with their way of they think (ideas and values)
Culture Wars
clashes within mainstream society over the values and norms that should be upheld
Ideal
the norms, values, and patterns of behavior that members of a society believe should be observed in principle
Real culture
the norms, values, and patterns of behavior that actually exist within a society (which may or may not correspond to the society’s ideals)
Cultural Imperialism vs Cultural Diffusion
Cultural Diffusion- the dissemination of material and nonmaterial culture (tools and technology, beliefs and
behavior) from one group to another
-diffusion spread out cultural elements from one group to another
- imperialism- more strong, includes media and consumerism
Cultural Imperialism- the imposition of one culture’s beliefs and practices on another culture through media and
consumer products rather than by military force
(Ex: Coca-Cola brand becoming global)
Cultural Leveling
the process by which cultures that were once unique and distinct become increasingly similar
(ex: mom and pop stores are forced out by big chain restaurants)
