Social Sciences Unit 1 Review

Unit 1: Review of Social Sciences

• Key Disciplines: Anthropology studies human societies, cultures, and development. Sociology examines social behavior, relationships, and institutions. Psychology focuses on the mind and behavior.

• Social Sciences Jargon:

  • Cohort: A group sharing a common characteristic (e.g., birth year).
  • Quantitative Data: Data expressed in numbers (e.g., survey results).
  • Qualitative Data: Descriptive data (e.g., interviews).
  • Bias: Prejudice affecting objectivity.
  • Correlation vs. Causation: Correlation is a relationship; causation implies one directly affects the other.
  • Control Group vs. Experimental Group: Used in experiments.
  • Double Blind: Neither researchers nor participants know group assignments to reduce bias.

• 5-Step Inquiry Process: Identify the problem, form a hypothesis, gather data, analyze data, and draw conclusions.

• Research Methods: Surveys, experiments, interviews, ethnography.

Unit 2: Social Change

• Schools of Thought:

  • Structural Functionalism: Society functions like a complex system.
  • Social Cognitive Theory: Human behavior is influenced by social interactions and personal factors.
  • Feminism: Focuses on gender inequalities and social justice.
  • Conflict Theory: Society is driven by conflict for resources.

• Theories of Change:

  • Evolutionary Theory: Societies evolve in stages.
  • Cyclical Theory: Societies rise and fall cyclically.
  • Conflict Theory: Change arises from power struggles.
  • Challenge & Response Theory: Societies change by overcoming challenges.
  • Functionalist Theory: Changes maintain societal stability.

• Factors Affecting Change: Catalysts (technology, innovation, leadership) and impediments (cultural resistance, lack of resources).

• Terms to Know:

  • Cognitive Dissonance: Mental discomfort from conflicting beliefs.
  • Paradigm Shift: A fundamental change in societal thinking.
  • Technological Determinism: Technology drives societal change.
  • Social Construction of Technology: Society shapes technological development

Unit 3: Social Patterns and Trends

• Demographics and Migration:

  • Demography: Study of population statistics and trends.
  • Demographic Transition Model: Describes population changes over time due to birth and death rates.
  • Factors influencing Population Size: Birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration.
  • Population Pyramid: Visualizes age and gender distribution.

• Key Terms:

  • Birth Rate/Death Rate: Number of births/deaths per year per 1,000 people.
  • Natural Increase Rate: Difference between birth and death rates.
  • Revitalization: Renewing a social or cultural system.
  • Overtourism/Gentrification: Social and economic issues linked to tourism and urban redevelopment.

• Deviance and Conformity:

  • Theories of Deviance: Multiple theories, including functionalist, conflict, strain, labeling, differential association, and social control.
  • Crime Deterrence: Education, law enforcement, and rehabilitation programs.

Unit 4: Global Social Challenges

• Globalization: Increasing interconnectedness of nations (e.g., United Nations, World Trade Organization).

• Discrimination and Racism:

  • Implicit Bias: Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes influencing behavior.

• Gender Inequality:

  • Examples: Wage gaps, limited access to education, gender-based violence.
  • Consequences: Reduced economic growth and perpetuation of poverty.

• Poverty:

  • Types: Absolute poverty (lack of basic needs), relative poverty (comparison to societal standards), and working poor (employed but below poverty line). Welfare poor are dependent on assistance.
  • Programs: Structural programs (addressing root causes) and relief programs (providing immediate support).

This quiz covers key concepts from Unit 1 of social sciences, focusing on essential disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, and psychology. It also addresses important terms and the 5-step inquiry process used in research. Test your understanding of the jargon and methods applied in these fields.