Test on Sociology (Remix-All chapters) Flashcards
What happens if we do not fulfill the role expectation?
One must orient oneself to the expectations of others. Those who do not do so usually have to fear sanctions. (e.g. social disapproval)
What is the subject matter of sociology?
These three major subject areas of sociology -
social action,
social order,
social change
What are the 3 perspectives from which the subject matter of sociology can be approached?
- from below from the perspective of individual-related social relations,
- from above from the perspective of systems and structures of society as a whole,
- or from the center of the observable social interrelationships.
- Handlungstheoretische Perspektive e.g. Handeln, Normen
- Institutionalistische Perspektive e.g. Institution
- Interaktionistische Perspektive e.g. Interaktion, Kommunikation
What is social inter-role conflict? Give an example of social inter-role conflict.
Inter-role conflict: Conflicting expectations due to multiple social roles
e.g. An average middle-class man
- at home husband and father;
- and in public life
+ teacher at school
+ member of a social club
+ assistant in his wife´s business
–> he is expected to spend time on each social role. He might spend overtime working as a teacher. Thus he has less time to take care of his kids or wife. This raises a conflict in time spent on different roles for the man.
What is social intra-role conflict? Give an example of social intra-role conflict.
Intra-role conflict: Within a role [there are] self-contradictory and conflicting role expectations of different people or social groups.
E.g. a saleswoman has to fulfill expectations from customers e.g. recommend a product that suits customers´ needs. She also has to fulfill expectations from her employer e.g. sell more products. A conflict may rise if the expectations from customers and employers are different. For example, the product does not suit the customer’s needs.
What is social status and role? (soziale Position und Rollen)
- Status: is the position that an individual is expected to hold in a group or a community. E.g. a woman, an adult, a mother, as ascribed position, or e.g. A doctor, a teacher, a student, etc.
- And the behavior that we expect from the person holding such a position is his role. –> An individual´s role is the behavior expected of him/her in his/her status and in the determination of his/her relationship with other members of his group.
How can role theory explain that there are both “good” and “bad” teachers?
“Social roles are open to individual expression (claims) by those who play them.”
when ‘role-playing” begins, each individual plays his own role not only according to the definition of his particular role as set by society but according to the actual expectation of the other party or parties in relation to whom he plays it.
Why is “playing” roles so important for our life living together in society?
“By “playing” social roles, individuals create reliability, permanence and expectability in social intercourse. –>Without this expectability we cannot act together!
- Whether we like it or not, we all take on social roles in social life and fill them with a (also individual) representation of ourselves that we hope will be valued by others.
- We can only cooperate with each other and only compete and argue with each other if our behaviour is expected by others and the behaviour of others is expected by us.
–>Consequently, whether we like it or not, we have to “act” („Theater spielen“) in social life, i.e. take on social roles, interpret them and act them out. This shaping is oriented towards expectations.
What is sociology?
Sociology is the scientific study of social phenomena. This means that, if you want to give a sociological explanation of human behavior, you need to consider the influence of social contexts and study the resulting collective human behavior.
What does it mean that sociology is a multi-paradigmatic science?
In sociology, there is not one “true” doctrine, but several paradigms (sociology is a multi-paradigmatic science). =>With each of the perspectives, one can see different things.
What is sociology from the view of Max Weber?
Max Weber sees society in the actions of individuals.
Sociology = science of social action
Sociology is the science that seeks to understand social action in an interpretative way and thereby explain its course and effects in causal terms.
( Handlungstheoretische Perspektive)
(from the perspective of individual-related social relations)
What is sociology from the view of Georg Simmel?
Georg Simmel sees society as the interaction between individuals. “Society is created where several individuals interact with each other.”
Sociology = science of social interaction.
(Interaktionistische Perspektive)
(from the observable social interrelationships.)
What is sociology from the view of Emile Durkheim?
Emile Durkheim sees sociology as a science of social institutions and their emergence and mode of action.
e.g. society (for example a rule of greeting) confronts individuals as an external constraint.
( Institutionalistische Perspektive)
(from the perspective of systems and structures of society as a whole)
Describe the differences in explaining a social fact from different perspectives e.g. between action-theoretical and institutionalist perspectives, and between action-theoretical and interactionist perspectives.
- Focus objects/concentration on different things
+ intended meaning (action theoretical p. )
+ social relations (interactionist p. )
+ roles and position (institutionalist p. ) - Approach point:
+ individual (action theoretical p. )
+ relationship patterns of individuals (interactionist p. )
+ social institutions and structure (institutionalist p. ) - Reference to social order: (how?)
+ via norms (internalized by individuals) and situation definitions (role expectations)
(action theoretical p. )
+ via interactive negotiation of norms
(interactionist p. )
+ ?? (institutionalist p. )
What are everyday theories? is it common sense? Give example.
Evidence:
Theories based on
personal observations, anecdotes,
may not be supported by empirical evidence or systematic testing.
Language
be expressed informally
use everyday language that is not precise or specific
No or low demands on reproducibility
Discuss two differences between everyday theories and scientific theories using examples.
Evidence
Language
Demands on reproducibility
Demands on methodological control of knowledge acquisition
How do social science theories differ from natural science theories?
- Social scientists are part of their field of study!
They also live in the society they study. - their questions are shaped by the values prevailing in society. These values they can reflect, but not leave behind.
- the subject matter of social science involves people, social groups and societies, which are, in significant ways, different from the other animals and events in the physical world.
What are scientific knowledge and scientific theory?
What does the observer-dependence of knowledge mean? give example
All knowledge (thus also all theories and all empirical observations) is observation-dependent. i.e. we cannot eliminate the observer from the observation.
- The theory of relativity: according to Albert Einstein, the perception of speed depends on an observer. Two observers moving at different speeds will make different measurements of lengths and times.
- Social constructions: Many concepts that we take for granted, such as race, gender, and nationality, are socially constructed and depend on the perspectives and experiences of the individuals and cultures that define them.
What is meant by social scientists producing “second-order observations”? („Beobachtungen zweiter Ordnung“)
“Social scientists interpret and explain a world that has always already been interpreted by their objects of study. They produce, so to speak, interpretations about interpretations, or, as Alfred Schütz says, second-order observations.”
What is meant by “facts” as a corrective?
If an empirical observation does not fit the theory, the theory can in principle be modified so that it does fit.
Imre Laktatos (1922 - 1974)
a) Empirical facts are accessible to observers through unbiased and careful observation.
b) Empirical facts are independent of theories
c) Empirical facts form the reliable basis of scientific knowledge.
Is value-judgement-free science possible?
It is not possible for scientists to completely eliminate their personal values and biases from their research.
However, scientists can work to minimize the impact of personal values and biases on their research by being aware of them, reflecting on them, and being transparent about them.
What are the four ideal types of social action according to M. Weber?
It is not possible for scientists to completely eliminate their personal values and biases from their research.
However, scientists can work to minimize the impact of personal values and biases on their research by being aware of them, reflecting on them, and being transparent about them.
Form types of action (according to M. Weber) on a topic of your choice (going to the cinema, visiting parents, etc.).
What are values?
Values are cultural ideas of what is desirable, worth striving for, and valuable.
What are norms?
Norms are normally informal rules of behavior and expectations that are shared among groups of people and they guide their actions.
What is culture?
Culture is a system of meanings shared among group(s) of people including their beliefs, their values.
What does social action have to do with culture?
-Social action is directed toward the behavior of others.
-Meaning orientations of action are not only the product of situational individual decisions but are socially framed. Those meanings are established in culture, which is a system of meanings shared by groups of people including their beliefs and their values.
-Cultural norms influence the way people interact with each other in social situations.
Please use examples to explain how norm and norm deviation are related.
Norms define our expectations of the behavior of others and at the same time define the behavior against/falls outside these expectations.
“do not jump the line at the register”. To cut the line would be then a deviation from the norm. This also means the expectation is to stay in the line at the register.
In what sense can it be said that values guide action? Please explain the question with an example.
Values provide a framework for making decisions and choosing behaviors that align with an individual’s beliefs and principles.
For example, a person´s value is honesty, i.e. the person finds the idea of being honest desirable. With this idea in mind, the person may prefer actions on daily basis such as telling the truth or guiding the behavior in situations such as not cheating during exams, or speaking out against injustice.
What distinguishes “behavior” from “action”?
intentions, meanings
Is “breathing”
a) Social action,
b) Action and/or
c) behaviour?
Give reasons for your decision
