Questions and Answers
What is organic solidarity?
What does public sociology aim to achieve?
Engagement with wider audiences beyond academia.
What does queer theory reject?
Who pioneered rational choice theory?
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What is the definition of science?
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What does social construction of reality emphasize?
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What is sociological imagination?
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What does structural-functional theory explain?
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What is the focus of symbolic-interaction theory?
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Who is Thorstein Veblen?
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Who is known as the father of sociology?
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What theory did Emile Durkheim explore in his first major sociological work?
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What are the three activities that George Herbert Mead stated develop the self?
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Which of the following works is NOT authored by Karl Marx?
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What major concept did Max Weber analyze in relation to capitalism?
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Who introduced feminist sociological perspectives into her writing?
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What is anomie?
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What does the term bureaucracy refer to?
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What is critical theory?
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What do conflict theories emphasize in sociology?
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What does division of labor refer to in sociology?
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What is empirical investigation in sociology?
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What does exchange theory focus on in social interactions?
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What is feminist theory in sociology?
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What foundational question did George Simmel pose in his sociological approach?
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What are latent functions in sociology?
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What are latent dysfunctions?
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What does macrosociology focus on?
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What are manifest functions?
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What is the materialist conception of history?
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What does microsociology study?
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Study Notes
August Comte
- French philosopher (1798-1857) and founder of sociology; coined the term "sociology."
- Developed theories of "social statics" (forces holding society together) and "social dynamics" (forces driving social change).
- Influenced 19th-century thinkers such as Marx and Mill.
- Proposed a "Religion of Humanity" and possibly coined the term "altruism."
Emile Durkheim
- French sociologist (1858-1917); known as a principal architect of modern social science.
- Focused on societal cohesion amidst modernity and the erosion of traditional ties.
- Author of "The Division of Labour in Society" (1893), examining societal integration through specialization.
George Herbert Mead
- American philosopher and sociologist (1863-1931); affiliated with the University of Chicago.
- Known for his theory of the social self, which includes 'self,' 'me,' and 'I.'
- The self develops through language (communication), play (role-taking), and games (understanding societal rules).
Karl Marx
- Philosopher, economist, and revolutionary socialist (1818-1883).
- Developed theories on labor relations and capitalism, published "The Communist Manifesto" (1848) and "Das Kapital" (1867-1894).
- Emphasized class struggle as a driver of social change.
Max Weber
- German sociologist (1864-1920) known for contributions to sociology, economics, and political theory.
- Authored "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism" linking religion to economic behavior.
- Introduced types of authority: charismatic, traditional, and rational-legal; emphasized the role of bureaucracy in modern governance.
Harriet Martineau
- English social theorist (1802-1876); considered the first female sociologist.
- Critiqued social injustices including gender inequality, slavery, and worker rights.
- Advocated for a holistic understanding of society, examining the intersection of politics, economics, and social life.
W.E.B. Du Bois
- Prominent African-American civil rights activist (1868-1963); co-founder of the NAACP.
- First African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard; wrote extensively on race and equality.
- Supported Pan-Africanism and was a leading spokesperson for civil rights in the early 20th century.
Anomie
- Refers to social instability stemming from a breakdown in societal standards and values.
- Associated with personal unrest and feelings of alienation due to lack of purpose or ideals.
Bureaucracy (Weber)
- Defined as a body of non-elected officials managing government administration or large institutions.
- Emphasizes hierarchy, rules, and rational-legal authority in organizational structure.
Critical Theory
- Developed by Max Horkheimer, focusing on critiquing and changing society rather than merely explaining it.
- Aims to address power inequalities and social injustices.
Conflict Theory
- A sociological perspective highlighting the inequalities and conflicts between social groups.
- Challenges the assumptions of structural functionalism and ideological conservatism.
Division of Labor
- Concept examined by Durkheim; refers to specialization in roles within society.
- Promotes social cohesion through interdependence and cooperation in achieving societal needs.
Empirical Investigation
- A research method focused on observation and experimentation to study social phenomena.
Exchange Theory
- Proposes that human relationships are formed through a cost-benefit analysis of interactions.
- Includes individual and group approaches to understanding social systems and interactions.
Feminist Theory
- Examines the role of gender as it relates to power dynamics in society.
- Addresses intersectionality concerning race, class, and other identities, aiming to improve women's status.
George Simmel
- Early German sociologist known for analyzing social individuality and the web of interactions in society.
- Challenged organicist theories, redirecting focus to how social forms emerge and evolve over time.
Latent Functions
- Unintended and often unrecognized consequences of social institutions or phenomena.
- Contrasts with manifest functions, which are intended and recognized effects.
Latent Dysfunctions
- Unintended negative consequences of social institutions or actions, contrasting with recognized dysfunctions.
Macrosociology
- Focuses on large-scale social systems and structures, aiming to identify trends and patterns in society.
- Provides context for individual behaviors by examining broader cultural influences.
Manifest Functions
- Recognized and intended consequences of social patterns or institutions that society expects or observes.
Manifest Dysfunctions
- Unconscious, unintended negative effects of social phenomena; contrasts with intended functions.
Materialist Conception of History
- Marx's theory explaining societal changes through class struggles and economic factors.
- Analyzes historical transitions (e.g., from feudalism to capitalism) through a dialectical lens.
Microsociology
- Centers on small-scale interactions and the agency of individuals in everyday life.
- Studies social units within larger systems to understand nuanced social behaviors.
Organic Solidarity
- Social cohesion arising from the interdependence of specialized roles within a complex society.
- Relies on contractual relations and legal frameworks rather than uniformity in social norms.
Public Sociology
- An approach aiming to engage wider audiences and transcend academic boundaries.
- Represents a style of sociology that prioritizes public understanding and social engagement.
Queer Theory
- Challenges traditional categories of gender and sexuality in cultural and literary studies.
- Seeks to analyze the complexities of sexual identities beyond binary classifications.
Rational Choice Theory
- Suggests that economic motives drive human behavior, with calculations of costs and benefits influencing decisions.
- Pioneered by George Homans, forming a basis for understanding social interactions through economic principles.### Rational Choice Theory
- Rational choice theorists increasingly utilize mathematical approaches in their analyses.
- This theory has even influenced Marxists, who view it as foundational for a Marxist theory of class and exploitation.
Science
- Science encompasses systematic study through observation and experiments.
- It focuses on the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world.
Social Constraint
- Definition not provided, but generally refers to societal limits on individual actions and behaviors.
Social Construction of Reality
- A 1966 seminal work by Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann that introduced 'social construction' into social sciences.
- Influenced by Alfred Schütz's ideas, emphasizing that individuals and groups create meanings through social interactions.
- Concepts become habitual and institutionalized roles, shaping societal structures and beliefs.
- The International Sociological Association recognized it as the fifth most important sociological book of the 20th century in 1998.
Sociological Imagination
- Coined by C. Wright Mills, this concept refers to the ability to view everyday life from a new perspective.
- Encourages individuals to step away from familiar routines to understand broader social contexts.
Structural-Functional Theory
- Structural functionalism views society as a complex system working together for stability and solidarity.
- Herbert Spencer and Robert Merton are key contributors to this theory.
- It focuses on relationships between social institutions (e.g., government, religion) and their roles in society.
Symbolic-Interaction Theory
- This perspective is significant in microsociology and social psychology.
- Rooted in American pragmatism and the work of George Herbert Mead.
- Emphasizes the symbolic meanings developed during social interactions, reflecting Max Weber's idea that individuals act based on their interpretations of the world.
Thorstein Veblen
- Thorstein Veblen (1857-1929) was an American economist and social scientist known for an evolutionary approach to economic institutions.
- Gained prominence with "The Theory of the Leisure Class" (1899), introducing concepts of "conspicuous consumption" and "pecuniary emulation."
- Veblen was a critical voice against capitalism, highlighting behaviors that signify wealth and social status.
- Pioneered the institutional economics movement and introduced the Veblenian dichotomy, distinguishing between institutions and technology.
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Description
Test your knowledge of August Comte, the French philosopher who founded sociology. Explore his contributions to social science and his impact on 19th-century thinkers. This quiz offers a deeper understanding of sociological theory.
