unit 4 - lecture notes

Question 1

Who are the three most influential founders of sociology?

Answer 1

1. Karl Marx
2. Emile Durkheim
3. Max Weber

Question 2

What are the three main ideas belonging to Karl Marx?

Answer 2

1. Historical Materialism - society and social relations are determined by the economic structure in which we live.
2. Social Class - believed that social class was the engine that drove history.
3. Infrastructure v. Superstructure - the superstructure was based and built on the existing infrastructure.

Question 3

In relation to the study of sociology, what are two notable contributions of Durkheim?

Answer 3

1. Distinguished sociology from psychology.
2. Established sociology as a social science.

Question 4

What are the three main contributions of Durkheim in regards to society?

Answer 4

1. Social Facts - the world is made up not only of physical facts but of social ones as well (norms).
2. Division of Labour - society based on mechanical solidarity v. based on organic solidarity.
3. Anomie - believed that modernity was losing its norms and because man is moral due to society, the loss of society results in the loss of morality.

Question 5

In relation to society, what is the main argument made by Weber?

Answer 5

Society is too complex to be explained by a single cause.

Question 6

What are two main ideas, regarding methodology, that Weber is known for?

Answer 6

1. Interpretative Sociology - wanted to explain AND understand behaviours.
2. Value-Free Sociology - the belief that sociology should be objective and ethically neutral.

Question 7

What are three truths regarding social facts?

Answer 7

1. They are external of the individual.
2. They are coercive of the individual.
3. Social norms and organizations are independent of any one individual.

Question 8

What did Weber believe to be the goal of sociology?

Answer 8

The advancement of understanding, not of reformation and revolution of society.

Question 9

What are the three levels of sociology? What does each level represent?

Answer 9

1. Micro - the individual experience of sociology; intra/interpersonal.
2. Meso - groups and communities.
3. Macro - systemic issues; slow changing social systems.

Question 10

What are three theoretical perspectives?

Answer 10

1. Structural-Functionalism
2. Conflict Theory
3. Symbolic Interactionism

Question 11

What are three types of functions that are performed by specific parts of society? What do they mean?

Answer 11

1. Manifest Function - the function is known and intended.
2. Latent Function - the function is unknown and unintended.
3. Dysfunction - the function is harmful.

Question 12

What does structural-functionalism believe?

Answer 12

Society is a stable, orderly system composed of several interrelated parts. Each part performs a function that contributes to the overall stability of society.

Question 13

What is structural-functionalisms strength? Its weakness?

Answer 13

Strength - good at analyzing social order and status.

Weakness - not good at analyzing change and conflict.

Question 14

What is conflict theory?

Answer 14

The belief that social order is the product of the struggle for power between different vested interest groups.

Question 15

What is the basic question of conflict theory?

Answer 15

Who benefits most from the existing arrangements? Society is functional for whom?

Question 16

What are three reasons as to why conflict doesn’t always imply negativity?

Answer 16

1. When conflict emerges, it gains attention.
2. It creates energy to be active in change.
3. It can unite people.

Question 17

What are the three main ideas of conflict theory? What does each idea mean?

Answer 17

1. Ideology- a coherent set of interrelated beliefs that explain and justify social conditions.
2. False consciousness - perception of a situation not in accord with reality.
3. Powerlessness, meaninglessness; feeling powerless to control your own life.

Question 18

What is symbolic interactionism?

Answer 18

The belief that society is the product of continuous, everyday, face to face interactions between individuals.

Question 19

How can the belief of symbolic interactionism best be defined, in the most basic way?

Answer 19

People create society, they are not created by it.

Question 20

In what way do individuals interact with the world according to symbolic interactionism?

Answer 20

People interact with the world through their own interpretations of the world, not the realities.

Question 21

What are the three main ideas of symbolic interactionism?

Answer 21

1. Definition of the situation
2. Taking the role of the other
3. A shift from significant others to generalized others- when engaging with others, who is that being done with?

Question 22

According to symbolic interactionism, the main idea, “definition of the situation,” is best defined as what?

Answer 22

That which is defined as real, is real in its consequences.

Question 23

What is the basic theoretical dilemma of sociology?

Answer 23

Agency v. social structure

Are we creators of society? Or are we creatures of society?