Topic 1: Sociology as a science Flashcards
What is Sociology?
Sociology is the scientific study of social behavior, institutions, and society. It examines human interactions, relationships, and changes within society.
Who coined the term “Sociology” and when?
Auguste Comte in 1824, combining socius (society) and logos (knowledge).
What historical events influenced the rise of Sociology?
French Revolution (1789): Shift from monarchies to republican ideals.
Industrial Revolution (18th–20th century): Urbanization, social problems, and labor transformations.
Who are the main founding figures of Sociology?
Auguste Comte – Positivism
Karl Marx – Historical Materialism
Émile Durkheim – Social Facts
Herbert Spencer – Social Darwinism
Max Weber – Ideal Type
Define Society, Organization, and Social Group.
Society: A structured system of social relationships (e.g., Spanish society).
Organization: A formal structure with goals (e.g., FIFA).
Social Group: A set of individuals with regular interaction and shared identity (e.g., a basketball team).
What is a Social Role?
The expected behavior of an individual in a specific position (e.g., a referee enforces game rules).
What is Socialization?
The process where individuals learn and adapt to societal norms, values, and behaviors (e.g., learning fair play in sports).
What is the Sociological Imagination (C.W. Mills, 1959)?
The ability to connect personal experiences with broader social structures and forces (e.g., NYC Marathon’s social, economic, and cultural impact).
What are the five main purposes of Sociology?
Understanding social structures.
Analyzing social relationships.
Exploring social change.
Identifying social problems.
Developing social theories.
Is Sociology a science? Why?
Yes. Sociology follows systematic research methods, empirical data analysis, and logical evaluation, though it studies human behavior instead of natural phenomena.
What are the two main types of sociological research methods?
Quantitative: Uses statistical models (e.g., surveys).
Qualitative: Provides deep understanding (e.g., interviews, fieldwork).
What are the five main sociological research methods?
Fieldwork (Ethnography): Direct study (e.g., observing a basketball team).
Surveys: Large-scale data collection (e.g., sports & national identity).
Experiments: Controlled conditions (e.g., individual skills vs. teamwork).
Documentary Research: Analyzing texts (e.g., biographies of Olympic athletes).
Mixed Methods: Combining qualitative and quantitative approaches.
What is Social Norm vs. Social Sanction?
Social Norm: Expected behaviors in society (e.g., shaking hands after a match).
Social Sanction: Rewards or punishments for following/breaking norms (e.g., crowd booing a footballer for faking a foul).
What is Cultural Universal?
A shared element across all societies (e.g., family systems, marriage, religion, language).
Summarize Sociology in one sentence.
Sociology is the systematic study of human societies, social interactions, and structures, using scientific methods to understand and analyze social behavior.
