Principles of Sociology Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is culture?

Culture is passed down from one generation to the next.

What is ethnocentrism?

A lifestyle that rejects dominant societal values

Valuation of one's own racial/ethnic group above all others (correct)

Belief in the superiority of all cultures equally

Sharing distinguishing attributes with dominant culture

What is cultural relativism?

A rejection of dominant societal norms

The belief that one culture is superior to others

The notion that all cultures have equal value (correct)

A lifestyle that promotes segregation

How might a cultural relativist respond to the Iraqi brothers marrying minors?

Their culture allows them to marry at whatever age is fit, and because they're legally married, rape should not be charged unless there is no consent. Signup and view all the answers

How might an ethnocentric person respond to the Iraqi brothers marrying minors?

In the United States, it is illegal to marry a minor, so the brothers should be arrested. This is the only right way. Signup and view all the answers

What is a counter culture?

A group that strongly rejects dominant societal values Signup and view all the answers

What is a subculture?

A category of people who share distinguishing attributes, beliefs, values, and/or norms that set them apart from the dominant culture. Signup and view all the answers

According to Becker, when and how does culture change?

Culture changes based on lived realities, affecting social existence. Signup and view all the answers

What does Swidler mean by describing culture as a 'toolkit'?

Culture consists of elements that people use to inform behavior and decision-making, allowing for change and transformation. Signup and view all the answers

What is sociology?

Sociology is the study of social reactions and exchanges among society, including the lives of individuals and groups impacted by society. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between commonsense beliefs and sociological knowledge?

The determining factor is empirical evidence; sociological knowledge has explanatory value. Signup and view all the answers

What is sociological imagination? Provide two examples.

It is a lens to understand relationships between personal problems and public issues in historical context. Signup and view all the answers

What is a social institution?

Established or standardized patterns of rule-governed behavior including family, education, religion, and political institutions. Signup and view all the answers

What is social structure?

The distinctive arrangement of institutions whereby humans in a society interact and live together. Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure/action dichotomy?

It contrasts individual agency/action with social structure. Signup and view all the answers

What is a random sample?

A selection from a larger population that is statistically representative of the population as a whole. Signup and view all the answers

Why is a random sample beneficial?

Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, providing an accurate representation. Signup and view all the answers

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Define the problem, review the literature, formulate a hypothesis, select a research design, develop a conclusion. Signup and view all the answers

The independent variable is hypothesized to influence the ______ variable.

dependent Signup and view all the answers

What are four types of research design?

Survey, observation, experiment, archival. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to operationalize a variable?

To explain an abstract concept so it can be assessed specifically. Signup and view all the answers

Why aren't true experiments used often?

Ethical problems arise with experimenting on humans. Signup and view all the answers

What is the conflict theory model?

Societies are arenas where groups with conflicting interests struggle against each other. Signup and view all the answers

What is the structural functionalist model?

Societies must satisfactorily address problems to persist. Signup and view all the answers

What principle points describe symbolic interactionism?

Human beings act based on meanings assigned to objects, involving interpretation and adjustment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of using a random sample?

It provides an accurate representation of the population without needing extensive resources. Signup and view all the answers

What are social facts?

Elements external to the individual that exert coercive influence. Signup and view all the answers

What are norms?

Specific rules of what is right and wrong, unwritten and passed through tradition. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between folkways and mores?

Folkways are non-critical norms, whereas mores are crucial to maintaining moral boundaries. Signup and view all the answers

Define the term 'society.'

A group of people in continuous interaction over time forming an organized population. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for culture to be passed from generation to generation?

To avoid reinventing the same ways of doing things. Signup and view all the answers

What is material culture?

Non-naturally occurring tangible objects that members of a society share. Signup and view all the answers

What is nonmaterial culture?

A shared set of meanings that groups use to understand the world. Signup and view all the answers

What is an artifact?

Anything created by humans that provides information about their culture. Signup and view all the answers

What are sanctions?

Positive or negative consequences associated with particular behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ASA Code of Ethics?

Guidelines that require disclosure of funding sources in social research to maintain validity and ethical practices. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why true experiments are not frequently employed in sociological research.

Because they may alter variables, leading to ethical dilemmas when using human subjects. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sociology Fundamentals

Sociology studies social reactions and exchanges in society, focusing on individual and group interactions influenced by societal structures.
Empirical evidence is essential in sociology for understanding behavior and meanings.

Key Concepts in Sociology

Social Institutions: Established patterns of behavior including family, education, religion, and political organization that govern interactions.
Social Structure: The stable arrangement of institutions in society that influences how individuals interact, related to social change.
Structure/Action Dichotomy: Individual agency involves personal actions, while social structure explains behavior within societal contexts.

Research Methodology

Random Sample: A statistically representative selection from a larger population, allowing every member an equal chance of selection.
Benefits of Random Sampling: Provides an accurate representation of the population while conserving resources.
Scientific Method: Involves defining problems, reviewing literature, formulating hypotheses, selecting research designs, and drawing conclusions.

Variables in Research

Independent Variable: The variable hypothesized to influence or cause changes in another variable.
Dependent Variable: The response or measure influenced by the independent variable.

Ethical Considerations

Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment: Ethical controversy from studying untreated syphilis in African American men under the guise of treatment, leading to mistrust in medical institutions.
ASA Code of Ethics: Requires transparency in research funding to protect participants, ensure validity, and uphold human rights.

Theoretical Perspectives

Conflict Theory: Views society as a battleground of conflicting interests, with power dynamics shaping social structures.
Structural Functionalism: Considers society as a system that must address various functional needs for survival.
Symbolic Interactionism: Examines how individuals assign meaning to objects and interactions, with a focus on micro-level interactions.

Cultural Concepts

Culture: Encompasses social categories, beliefs, practices, and environments individuals engage with collectively.
Material vs. Nonmaterial Culture: Material culture includes tangible items, while nonmaterial culture addresses shared meanings and values.
Artifacts: Human-created objects that provide insight into the culture of their users.

Norms and Values

Norms: Rules defining acceptable behavior, which vary by culture; can be formal (laws) or informal (folkways and mores).
Folkways vs. Mores: Folkways are minor norms, whereas mores are strong norms tied to moral values.

Sanctions

Positive Sanctions: Rewards for conforming behavior (e.g., awards).
Negative Sanctions: Punishments for deviant behavior (e.g., fines).

Society and Culture

Society Definition: A group in continuous interaction over time, with shared identity distinct from others.
Cultural Continuity: Essential for passing down practices and beliefs from generation to generation.

Ethnocentrism vs. Cultural Relativism

Ethnocentrism: Valuation of one's own culture over others, potentially leading to discrimination.
Cultural Relativism: Belief in the equal value of all cultures, promoting understanding and acceptance.

Subcultures and Countercultures

Subculture: A group with distinct values or norms that differ from the dominant culture (e.g., black culture).
Counterculture: Groups that reject and attempt to change dominant societal values (e.g., certain youth movements).

Cultural Change

Culture evolves through various factors including interactions, technological advancements, and shifting societal values, as outlined by Becker's theories.

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Test your knowledge of the fundamentals of sociology with these flashcards. Each card covers essential concepts, including sociology definitions and the distinctions between commonsense beliefs and sociological knowledge. Perfect for students wanting to strengthen their understanding of sociological principles.