Major Concepts and Themes - Sociology Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is sociology?

A branch of biology

The systematic study of human society (correct)

The study of animals

A type of government

What does the sociological perspective involve?

It sees general patterns of society in the lives of particular people.

Which approach sees society as a complex system promoting solidarity and stability?

Behavioral approach

Symbolic interactionism

Structural-functional approach (correct)

Social-conflict approach

What does the social-conflict approach focus on?

Inequality and conflict Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'social function'?

The consequences of any social pattern for the operation of society as a whole. Signup and view all the answers

What can social dysfunction be defined as?

Any social pattern that may disrupt the operation of society. Signup and view all the answers

Define common sense.

Normal native intelligence; common knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What is scientific evidence?

Evidence that serves to either support or counter a scientific theory or hypothesis. Signup and view all the answers

What does positivist sociology focus on?

The study of society based on systematic observation of social behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does correlation signify in sociology?

A relationship in which two (or more) variables change together. Signup and view all the answers

What is the mean in statistical terms?

The average calculated by adding all numbers and dividing by the count. Signup and view all the answers

Define median in a data set.

The middle number in a set of numbers. Signup and view all the answers

What is mode in statistical terms?

The number that appears the most in a set of numbers. Signup and view all the answers

What is a symbol in cultural context?

Anything that carries a particular meaning recognized by people who share a culture. Signup and view all the answers

Define ethnocentrism.

The practice of judging another culture by the standards of one’s own culture. Signup and view all the answers

What does sociocultural evolution refer to?

Changes that occur as a society gains new technology. Signup and view all the answers

Describe a hunting and gathering society.

A society where men use simple tools to hunt animals and women gather vegetation. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a horticultural and pastoral society?

People use hand tools to raise crops and shift to raising animals for food. Signup and view all the answers

Define agrarian society.

A society where people use plows harnessed to animals or energy sources for large-scale cultivation. Signup and view all the answers

What is an industrial society?

A society where people use advanced sources of energy to drive large machinery. Signup and view all the answers

Describe a postindustrial society.

A society that supports an information-based economy with advanced technology. Signup and view all the answers

What are some effects of industrialization?

Raised living standards Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the beliefs of Karl Marx.

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is socialization?

The lifelong social experience by which people develop their human potential and learn culture. Signup and view all the answers

What is Mead's theory on the social self?

The self includes self-awareness and self-image. Signup and view all the answers

Define status in sociology.

A social position that a person holds. Signup and view all the answers

What is a role in sociological terms?

Behavior expected of someone who holds a particular status. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a social group?

Two or more people who identify with and interact with one another. Signup and view all the answers

What is groupthink?

The tendency of group members to conform, resulting in a narrow view of some issue. Signup and view all the answers

Define bureaucracy.

An organizational model rationally designed to perform tasks efficiently. Signup and view all the answers

What is instrumental leadership?

Leadership that focuses on completing tasks. Signup and view all the answers

Describe expressive leadership.

Leadership that focuses on a group's well-being. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes authoritarian leadership?

'Take charge' style that demands obedience. Signup and view all the answers

Define democratic leadership.

Leadership that includes everyone in decision making. Signup and view all the answers

What is laissez-faire leadership?

Leadership that lets the group function mostly on its own. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Major Concepts and Themes in Sociology

Sociology: Systematic study of human society, exploring social relationships and institutions.
Sociological Perspective: Unique viewpoint that identifies societal patterns in individual lives, helping to understand wider social contexts.

Theoretical Frameworks

Structural-Functional Approach: Views society as a complex system where components work together to maintain stability and solidarity.
Social-Conflict Approach: Sees society as an arena of inequality that fosters tension and change, emphasizing power dynamics.

Social Function: Refers to the role and impact of social patterns on overall societal operation.
Social Dysfunction: Identifies patterns that disrupt societal functioning and harmony.

Understanding Knowledge

Common Sense: Represents standard knowledge and natural intelligence shared within a culture.
Scientific Evidence: Validates or challenges scientific theories through systematic observation.

Sociological Methodologies

Positivist Sociology: Engages in studying society via systematic observation of social behavior for empirical understanding.
Correlation: Indicates how two or more variables interact or change in relation to each other.

Data and Statistics

Mean: Average value calculated by summing numbers and dividing by the count.
Median: Middle value in a numerical order set.
Mode: Most frequently occurring number within a dataset.

Cultural Concepts

Symbol: Items or gestures that convey specific meanings understood by members of a culture.
Ethnocentrism: The evaluation of other cultures against one's own cultural norms and values.

Societal Evolution

Sociocultural Evolution: Describes societal changes driven by the acquisition of new technologies as per Lenski's theory.
Hunting and Gathering Society: Early social formations dependent on simple tools for hunting and gathering.
Horticultural and Pastoral Society: Development of hand tools for agriculture and animal husbandry, moving away from purely hunting.
Agrarian Society: Involves plow usage powered by animals, allowing extensive crop cultivation.
Industrial Society: Characterized by advanced energy sources for operating large machinery.
Postindustrial Society: Features technology that supports an information-oriented economy.

Impact of Industrialization

Transition of labor from home-based to factory settings.
Decreased importance of traditional family roles.
Improved living standards due to industrial advancements.

Karl Marx's Beliefs

Advocated a materialist approach, claiming economic systems define societies and shape human experiences.
Highlighted class conflict, suggesting struggle between social classes over resources.
Critiqued capitalism as a source of inequality and societal discord.

Socialization and Identity

Socialization: Lifelong process through which individuals develop potential and learn culture.
Mead's Theory on the Social Self: Asserts the self comprises self-awareness and self-image, evolving through social interactions.

Status: Refers to the social position an individual occupies within society.
Role: Expected behaviors associated with a particular status, guiding actions within social contexts.

Group Dynamics

Social Group: A collection of individuals who interact and identify with one another.
Groupthink: Tendency of group members to conform, leading to a limited perspective on issues.

Leadership Styles

Bureaucracy: An effective organizational model aimed at efficient task completion.
Instrumental Leadership: Focused on goal achievement and task management.
Expressive Leadership: Prioritizes the well-being and morale of the group.
Authoritarian Leadership: Enforces strict obedience with a decisive control style.
Democratic Leadership: Engages group members in the decision-making process.
Laissez-Faire Leadership: Allows the group significant autonomy in operations.

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Test your knowledge of key terms and concepts in sociology with these flashcards. Explore definitions and understand the sociological perspective, structural-functional approach, and more. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of sociology!