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SOC 100 > Week 2: Theory > Flashcards

Week 2: Theory Flashcards

1
Q

What is Theory in Sociology?

A

refers to a systematic and abstract explanation of social phenomena that guides research and the development of concepts and principles. Theories provide a framework for understanding, analyzing, and interpreting social phenomena and are essential for developing a comprehensive understanding of the social world.

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2
Q

What is the object of sociological inquiry?

A

Social Relations: any interaction or relationship between two or more individuals

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3
Q

which research questions do sociologists pose?

A

Questions that can be answered through collecting and interpreting empirical evidence

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4
Q

when do sociologists turn to theory?

A

to help formulate questions that are likely to be both answerable and interesting.

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5
Q

What is Praxis?

A

is using knowledge to act in the world, and then using practical experience to upgrade our knowledge.

Praxis = Theory + practice

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6
Q

What are the four points in the Praxis chart?

A
  • Forming or revising concepts and models
  • choosing issues to address and strategies for addressing them
  • acting
  • interpreting the results of our actions using concepts and models
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7
Q

what are the four points in the praxis of theory and empirical research chart?

A
  • Interpreting data using concepts and models
  • Forming or revising concepts and models
  • Choosing research questions and methodologies
  • Collecting data.
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8
Q

Define theory

A

the activity of using concepts to organize the complexity of our experience into relatively simple patterns.

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9
Q

define concept

A

any idea that represents some group of phenomena

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10
Q

define phenomenon

A

is any thing, process, relationship, or quality that we can experience.

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11
Q

define object

A

a phenomenon we act toward in some way: a person, inanimate object, process, situation, idea, etc.

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12
Q

what are emergent properties?

A

qualities or behaviors in an object that are not found in its constituent parts.

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13
Q

What do many sociologists assume?

A

social phenomena have some emergent properties
(qualities or behaviors in an object that are not found in its constituent parts).

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14
Q

Where can emergence be seen? (the process of coming into view or becoming exposed after being concealed).

A

subjective meanings that motivate social action.

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15
Q

What is an ontology?

A

The study of being

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16
Q

What is Epistemology?

A

what counts as valid or true knowledge

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17
Q

what is positivist epistemology?

A

seeks an objective scientific understanding of the social world; seeks universal laws.
- Empiricism, objectivity, fact-value distinction

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18
Q

what is empiricism?

A

the idea that all learning comes from only experience and observations.

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19
Q

what is objectivity?

A

the quality of being objective.

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20
Q

what is the fact-value distinction?

A

distinguishes between what is the case (facts) and what people think ought to be the case (values) based on beliefs about what is good, beautiful, important, etc.

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21
Q

what is interpretivism?

A

seeks intersubjectively shared meaning; to enable all humans to understand each other’s experiences, perceptions, and motivations.
- Hermeneutics, subjectivity, intersubjective validity

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22
Q

what are hermeneutics?

A

the theory and practice of interpretation, where interpretation involves an understanding that can be justified.

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23
Q

what is subjectivity?

A

the quality of being based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.

24
Q

what is intersubjective validity?

A

the capacity of a concept to be readily and accurately communicated between different individuals (“intersubjectively”), and to be reproduced under varying circumstances for the purposes of verification. It is a core principle of empirical, scientific investigation.

25
Q

What are critical theories?

A

seek the transformation of social relations toward greater human freedom and equality.
- perspectivism, universalism, equality

26
Q

what is perspectivism?

A

the idea that our understanding of the world is shaped by our individual experiences and perspectives. It says that there is no single, objective truth and that different people can have different views on the same things.

27
Q

in sociology what should sociologists consider in regard to perspectivism?

A

sociologists should consider different perspectives and points of view when studying social issues, rather than just relying on one perspective. This can lead to a more complete understanding of the subject being studied.

28
Q

what is universalism?

A

the philosophical and theological concept that some ideas have universal application or applicability

29
Q

What is a paradigm?

A

ontology (study of being) and epistemology (studies the nature of knowledge and how it is acquired) for a field, with some examples of specific models, while remaining open to further innovation.

30
Q

match the paradigm to the question:
What kinds of things exist?

A

Ontology

31
Q

match the paradigm:
how can we know about the world?

A

Epistemology

32
Q

match the paradigm:
how do we decide if a claim is true or false?

A

Epistemology

33
Q

match the paradigm:
How do we decide if something is real or not?

A

Ontology

34
Q

match the paradigm:
what does it mean to say that something is real or not?

A

Ontology

35
Q

match the paradigm
What does it mean to say that a claim is true or false?

A

Epistemology

36
Q

what is a positivist paradigm?

A

a philosophical approach to the study of social phenomena that views knowledge as objective and based on scientific evidence.

37
Q

What is a micro theory?

A

How do individuals make choices in the context of the costs and benefits of different options

38
Q

What is a rational choice theory?

A

A paradigm that examines all social action in terms of individuals making choices about how to pursue their goals in the context of their objective costs and benefits attached to any single choice

39
Q

What are the assumptions about human beings?

A
  • Rational actors;
  • With the power to freely choose their conduct;
  • And are goal-oriented.
40
Q

What is Social Network Analysis?

A

rigorous mathematical tools to study and analyze the networks of interconnections among individual actors

41
Q

what is middle range theory?

A

Explain individual action in terms of specific institutions, discourses, or networks within society, without attributing any determining influence to the organization to society as a totality

42
Q

what is functionalism?

A

a theoretical perspective that views society as a complex system composed of interrelated parts, each of which serves a particular function that contributes to the stability and survival of the system as a whole. It suggests that every aspect of society, from institutions to norms and values, serves a purpose and plays a role in maintaining social order.

43
Q

what does the posivitist paradigm - Funtionalism - Assume?

A

Assumes a holist/macro level ontology

44
Q

what does macro-level mean?

A

is large in scale or scope

45
Q

Who are proto-functionalists?

A
  • Herbert Spencer (He was one of the early pioneers of sociology and is considered one of the founders of the field of evolutionary biology. He is best known for his theory of social Darwinism, which applied Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution to human society)
  • Emile Durkheim (Is considered one of the founding figures of sociology and is often referred to as the “father of sociology”. Durkheim’s work was focused on the study of social order and integration, and he is best known for his concept of “social facts,” which he defined as things that exist independently of individuals and can influence their behavior)
46
Q

Who is functionalism most fully codified by?

A

Parsons and Merton from the 1930’s-60’s

47
Q

Society is a ___, ___ system of ___ interdependent parts

A

Society is a bounded, integrated system of functionally interdependent parts

48
Q

examples of society as a bounded, integrated system of functionally interdependent parts:

A

government, schools, and the economy, which work together to maintain a beneficial social order.

49
Q

what are Emile Durkheim social facts?

A

beliefs, moral codes, basic norms, and values that are passed from one generation to the next and shared by individuals who make up a society.

50
Q

who is constrained by social facts?

A

members of society

51
Q

what is the suicide rate?

A

a social fact, influenced by other social facts

52
Q

What is Durkheim’s Suicide Typology?

A

Durkheim developed a typology of suicide that categorizes different forms of suicide based on the degree of social integration and regulation of the individual.

53
Q

What is Egoistic suicide (Durkheim typology):

A

Individual lacks integration and feels disconnected from society. Leads to loneliness and desperation. Leads to suicide.

54
Q

What is Altruistic suicide (Durkheim):

A

disruption in social order and breakdown in regulation of individuals’ behavior. This leads to feelings of confusion, disorientation, and a lack of purpose, which can result in suicide.

55
Q

What is Altruistic suicide (Durkheim):

A

strong sense of identification and commitment to a group or society that they are willing to sacrifice their own life for the benefit of the group.

56
Q

What is Fatalistic suicide? (Durkheim)?

A

This occurs when individuals are subject to oppressive and excessive regulation, which can lead to hopelessness and a belief that they have no control over their lives.

SOC 100 (9 decks)

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