The Science of Sociology Flashcards
What is Sociology?
Sociology refers to the science that deals with the study of society and social interactions taking place therein.
What does Sociology study?
It is concerned with the study of human societies and of human behavior in social settings.
What is the etymology of the word Sociology?
Etymologically, it came from the Latin word ‘socius’ meaning ‘companion’ or ‘associate’, and the Greek word ‘logos’ meaning ‘study’.
What are the seven areas of Sociology according to Hauser?
- Social Organization
- Social Psychology
- Social Change
- Human Ecology
- Population Studies
- Sociological Theory and Research
- Applied Sociology
What is Social Organization in Sociology?
Study of social groups, social institutions, social stratification and mobility, ethnic relations and bureaucracy.
What does Social Psychology study?
It studies human nature as the outcome of group life, personality formation, and collective behavior.
What is the focus of Social Change in Sociology?
Study of change in culture and ongoing social problems.
What does Human Ecology study?
It studies the behavior of a given population and its relationship to the group’s social institutions and natural resources.
What are Population Studies concerned with?
They are concerned with population size, composition change, and quality as they influence economic, political, and social systems.
What is Sociological Theory and Research?
It is concerned with the discovery, development, and replication of research tools.
What is Applied Sociology?
Application of the findings of pure sociological research to various fields.
What is Sociological Imagination?
Quality of the mind essential to grasp the interplay of men and society. (C. Wright Mills, 1959)
What is Sociological Perspective?
Distinctive point of view that the social world guides our actions, thinking, and life choices. (Maciones, 1997)
What is Sociological Inquiry?
Scientific investigation or intellectual and rigorous research on a particular issue for a better understanding. (Panopio, 2004)
What is the goal of Sociological Inquiry?
To obtain a better understanding of society and the interactions taking place within it.
What is a Social Fact?
Any observation which can be verified as true.
What are the fundamental procedures in Sociological Inquiry?
- Defining the problem
- Reviewing the literature
- Forming a hypothesis
- Choosing a research design
- Collecting the data
- Analyzing the data
- Drawing conclusions
- Communicating the results of the study
What is an Experiment in Sociological Inquiry?
It exposes subjects to a specifically designed situation.
What is a Survey in Sociological Inquiry?
Uses either a questionnaire or interviews, or both.
What is a Case Study?
Intensive study and examination.
What is Field Observation or Participation Observation?
Researchers deliberately involve themselves.
What is Interviewing in Sociological Inquiry?
Researchers may interview subjects face-to-face or by telephone.
What are the types of Interviewing?
- Structured or Directive - questions often with multiple choice answers.
- Unstructured or Nondirective - neither the questions nor the answers are predetermined.
What is the Historical Approach in Sociological Inquiry?
Historical materials are analyzed.
What is the Qualitative Technique?
Not statistical in nature. Tools include historical records, biographies, autobiographies, diaries, speeches, editorials and videotapes.
What is the Quantitative Technique?
Uses statistics. Tools include census and vital statistics; local, national, and international reports; sampling measures of central tendency, mean, median, and mode; and measures of variability.
