Questions and Answers
What is the characteristic of a social fact?
What is the primary focus of critical theory?
Which sociological theory is most aligned with the concept of conflict?
What type of functions are consequences of social processes that are sought or anticipated?
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Who founded symbolic interactionism?
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What is the analogy used in dramaturgical analysis to understand social interaction?
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What theoretical approach was dominant in sociology after World War II until the 1960s and 1970s?
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What was the main criticism of interactionism?
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What social movement led to the revitalization of symbolic interactionism in the turn of the 20th century?
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What was the outcome of the landmark Brown vs. the Board of Education decision in 1954?
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What was the focus of critical theory and particular aspects of feminist theory?
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What was the research of Kenneth and Mamie Clark used for in the Brown vs. Board of Education case?
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What did the Clark's research involve?
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What is Constructionism an extension of?
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Study Notes
Social Dynamics
- Dynamic equilibrium is a state in a healthy society where all parts work together and are stable.
- Social facts are phenomena that exercise control over individuals' lives due to being accepted as norms by a large number of people.
Social Processes
- Social processes are forms of social interaction that occur repeatedly.
- Manifest functions are consequences of social processes that are sought or anticipated.
- Latent functions are unintended consequences of social processes.
- Dysfunctions are social processes that are harmful.
Conflict Theory
- Conflict theory is most aligned with Karl Marx's sociological theory.
- Critical theory is an expansion of conflict theory that incorporates other social sciences and philosophy to address structural issues causing inequality.
Symbolic Interactionism
- George Herbert Mead founded symbolic interactionism.
- Dramaturgical analysis uses theater as an analogy for social interaction, recognizing people's interactions as patterns of cultural scripts.
- Constructionism is an extension of symbolic interaction theory, proposing that reality is what humans cognitively construct.
Structural Functionalism
- Structural functionalism was dominant after World War II until the 1960s and 1970s.
- This approach was criticized for not sufficiently explaining rapid social changes, such as the women's movement and civil rights movement.
History of Sociology
- In the 1920s and 1930s, symbolic interactionism declined in influence, but was revitalized in the turn of the 20th century.
- Conflict theory, critical theory, and particular aspects of feminist theory and critical race theory focused on creating social change through the application of sociological principles.
Landmark Event
- In 1957, Elizabeth Eckford was denied entry to Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, despite having the law on her side.
- The landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954 overturned 21 state laws allowing separate school systems, leading to a momentous shift in education and segregation policies.
The Clark's Research
- Social scientists Kenneth and Mamie Clark's research showed that segregation generates feelings of inferiority in minority students.
- Their doll test experiment demonstrated that black children preferred dolls with light skin and assigned positive characteristics to them, while discarding dolls with brown skin that resembled themselves.
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Description
Understand the concepts of dynamic equilibrium, social facts, and social processes in sociology. Learn about manifest and latent functions of social processes.
