What Is Sociology? Flashcards
Define sociology
The systematic study of human behaviour
What 4 things does sociology promise (according to Robert Ray Jim)?
It will help people think critically, explain why they act they way they do, reveal possibilities of human action, and show people the correct route to induce social change.
Define critical thinking
Use of careful observation to arrive at conclusions instead of doing so based on authority or illogical/causal observation.
What are the levels of sociological inquiry? Explain each of them.
Micro: examines individual behaviour
Macro: occurs at national level, examination of social institutions
Global: investigates international phenomenon, such as multinational companies
List the sociological theories
Functionalism, Conflict, Symbolic Interactionism, and Feminist theory
How did these theories come about?
Following the scientific revolution, the rise of the nation-state, and the industrial revolution
Define functionalism
Examination of the factors that hold society together, called norms
Who is a well-known functionalist?
Emile Durkheim
Define norms
Societal rules that come with expectations
What is anomie?
“Normlessness”; A lack of norms, social bonding, and purpose
Define conflict theory
examination of what pulls society apart (commonly thought of as the opposite of functionalism)
Who are the well known conflict theorists?
Karl Marx and Max Weber
Explain Marx’s approach to conflict theory
There is always a separation of two powers within society–the bourgeoisie (upper class) and the proletariat (lower class)–who compete for control of production
Explain Weber’s approach to conflict theory
Analyzed religious and political aspects, as opposed to just capitalism (Marx), as dividing forces in society
Define alienation
The separation of things that are meant to be together
Define means of production
That which generates wealth (ex. labour, jobs, etc.)
Define symbolic interactionism
The examination of human behaviour at the micro-sociological level
What are the 3 principals of symbolic interactionism?
1) Humans act towards things on the basis of the meanings they have, 2) these meaning develop in interactions with others, and 3) are modified in an interpretation process
Define the 3 concepts feminist theories maintain
1) Patriarchy, a system of male domination, should be eliminated, 2) patriarchy is the result of social factors (not biological imperative), and 3) patriarchy should be explored at the micro and macro level
Which concept does radical feminism not agree with?
That patriarchy is a social factor, not a biological imperative. They believe the opposite
Define the postmodern approach
Not a theory, it believes previous theories were unsuccessful at explaining contemporary society. It focuses on the pros and cons of consumerism, exploitation of information systems, and oppression.
