Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theory

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Questions and Answers

What are social facts?

Emile Durkheim's term for patterned ways of conditions and circumstances that exist outside any one individual but that nevertheless determines one's course of action.

What is classical sociological theory?

The era during which sociology first emerged as a discipline and was institutionalized in universities (mid 19th century to early 20th century).

What is civil society?

Open spaces of debate relatively free from government control.

What is the Enlightenment?

A period of remarkable intellectual development that occurred in Europe during the late 1700s and early 1800s. Signup and view all the answers

What is an analytical frame?

A detailed sketch or outline of some social phenomenon, representing initial ideas of a scientist analyzing this phenomenon. Signup and view all the answers

What does class refer to in Marxist theory?

Groups of individuals who share a common position in relation to the means of production. Signup and view all the answers

What is class struggle?

A conflict over the control of the forces of production and distribution of resources and profits, with classes as prime movers of history. Signup and view all the answers

What are commodities?

Objects outside of us that fulfill human wants through their properties. Signup and view all the answers

What is fetishism of commodities?

The distorted relationship between individuals and the production and consumption of goods. Signup and view all the answers

What is surplus value?

The difference between what workers earn for their labor and the price or value of the goods they produce. Signup and view all the answers

What does social revolution mean in Marxist theory?

The transition from one mode of production to another. Signup and view all the answers

What is alienation?

A dehumanizing consequence of the worker's estrangement from the means of production and the goods produced. Signup and view all the answers

What is theory in sociology?

A system of generalized statements or propositions about phenomena. Signup and view all the answers

What are scientific theories?

Theories that explain and predict phenomena and produce testable, falsifiable hypotheses. Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Enlightenment in sociology?

It marked a period of remarkable intellectual development and contributed to the origins of sociology. Signup and view all the answers

What is sociology?

The scientific examination of society and its structures, coined by Auguste Comte. Signup and view all the answers

What does superstructure refer to?

Everything non-economic in nature, like legal, political, and educational systems. Signup and view all the answers

What is objective structure?

Ideas about the world and one's place in it, structured by objective class position. Signup and view all the answers

What does capital refer to?

Raw materials, machinery for production, and money. Signup and view all the answers

Who are capitalists?

People favoring or practicing capitalism, usually the wealthy. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Sociological Theory

Social Facts: Term coined by Emile Durkheim, referring to societal conditions that influence individual actions, existing independently of the individual.
Classical Sociological Theory: Emergence of sociology as a discipline from the mid-19th century to early 20th century, with institutionalization in universities.
Civil Society: Public spaces allowing free debate, typically operating without governmental interference.

Historical Context

Enlightenment (late 1700s to early 1800s): An intellectual movement questioning established beliefs and laying the groundwork for sociological inquiry.
Enlightenment (alternative definition): Another reference to the late 17th to early 18th century period marking the origins of sociology.

Frameworks and Structures

Analytical Frame: A framework for analyzing social phenomena, forming a foundational component of social research alongside theories, data, and synthesized ideas. Two kinds include case and aspect-based frames.
Super Structure: Encompasses all non-economic societal elements, such as legal, political, and educational systems, along with common knowledge.

Marxist Terminology

Class: Defined by Marx as groups with shared positions regarding the means of production.
Class Struggle: Strife over control of production forces and resource distribution, positioning classes as historical agents.
Commodities: Objects that fulfill human needs, evaluated by their characteristics and the degree to which they satisfy wants.
Fetishism of Commodities: Concept indicating the distorted perception of goods, where they are viewed as having inherent qualities or powers.
Surplus Value: The discrepancy between workers' wages and the value generated from their labor, highlighting exploitation in the capitalist system.
Social Revolution: Transitions between different modes of production as theorized by Marx.
Alienation: The estrangement of workers from the production process and the products they create, leading to dehumanization.

Theoretical Foundations

Theory: A set of generalized statements that connect various observations, essential for understanding social phenomena.
Scientific Theories: Frameworks that explain and make predictions about social phenomena while offering tests for falsifiability.
Sociology: The scientific study of society akin to the biological and physical sciences; first termed by Auguste Comte.
Objective Structure: The understanding of self and society shaped by the objective class position held by individuals.
Capital: Refers to the materials and monetary resources necessary for production.
Capitalists: Individuals advocating for capitalism, typically representing wealthy factions in society.

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Description

This quiz focuses on key concepts in classical and contemporary sociological theory, ideal for students studying sociology. It includes important terms like 'Social Facts' and 'Classical Sociological Theory', providing definitions and context. Test your knowledge of influential sociological ideas and their impact on understanding society.