Unit 1: Intro to Sociology Flashcards
Sociology
The study of human social behavior and how people interact with one another
Social Interaction
How people relate and influence one another
Culture
The way of life of an individual or group
Sociological Perspective
Looking at/thinking about social life in a scientific way
Sociological Imagination
The ability to connect your own personal life/experiences with the larger world
Social Darwinism
The belief that the “fittest” societies would survive over the weaker ones and help build a better world
Verstehen
Belief developed by Max Weber which stressed attempting to understand the actions of others and their meanings
Ideal Type
A constant and appropriate example of something in society
Augusta Comte
French Philospher who is considered the founder of sociology
Herbert Spencer
Philosopher who believed in “survival of the fittest” and that the poor should NOT be helped
Harriet Martineau
Author who published book called Positive Philosophy spread the belief that scholars had a duty to advocate in social change
Karl Marx
Prussian philosopher who believed that society was made up of two classes: owners (bourgeoisie) and proletariat (laborers) and that the laborers’ class would eventually overthrow the owners and create a better “classless” society
Emile Duktheim
French Philosopher who developed the countries first university course in sociology, believed religion had a major function in society
Max Weber
Philosopher who focused on the effects society had on the individual or seperate groups and not society as a whole
W.E.B Dubois
African American philosopher who believed race was large factor in society issues
Theoretical Perspective
a way of thinking that focuses on general beliefs of the nature of social lfie
Functionalist perspectvie
beliefs that society works best when most people agree on what is best and ensures that the particular system runs smoothly
Dysfunction
a negative that goes against how the social system is set in place
Conflict Perspective
belief that focuses on how competition and change shape reality
Feminist perspective
views society as a gender system in which men dominate women
Interactionist perspective
views how people respond to one another in society
Symbolic interaction
views how people respond to one another by elements based on meaning, language and thought
Macrosociology
studying society as a whole
Microsociology
studying society through small group interactions
Globalization
development of certain aspects and relationships of people worldwide
