Week 3: Sociology Flashcards
What is sociology?
The scientific study of society, including patterns of social relationships, social interaction and culture (Aka looks at groups of people/individuals and how they form behaviour in society)
What is positivism?
The system of positive philosophy in which logic and mathematics, combined with sensory experience could be better assist in understanding human relationships and action
Who discovered positivism?
Auguste Comte
What did Herbert Spencer discover?
similarities between society and the human body/survival of the fittest
What did Emile Durkheim study?
How society was changing in the face of industrialisation
What is functionalism?
The theory that the system is made up of functions and if one function stops working, the system has to reset and adjust
What are social facts?
Things that exist independently that shapes our choices and actions e.g. money
What were the factors that Durkheim believed increase the risk of suicide?
Individualism, excessive hope, excessive freedom, raise if atheism, weakening rile of ‘the nation’ and ‘family’
What is the level of integration in society?
The feeling of belonging to a group bound together by norms and values
What is the level of regulation in society?
The control that society has over its members
What are the 4 types of suicide?
Altruistic, egoistic, fatalistic and anomic
What is altruistic suicide?
Too much integration
What is egoistic suicide?
Not enough social interaction
What is fatalistic suicide?
Too much regulation
What is anomic suicide?
Not having enough regulation
