Questions and Answers
Is sociology a social science?
True
What is the study of?
society
Does empirical evidence include facts that can be gathered from experiments and data collection?
True
Can you use the terms society and sociology interchangeably?
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Is objectivity, or being free from bias, the foundation of sociological studies?
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What is sociology defined as?
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Is sociology a natural science?
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Do sociologists have to worry about bias in their studies?
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Do sociologists try to avoid controversial topics?
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Are crime and poverty examples of sociological problems?
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Do other social sciences include psychology, history, anthropology, economics, and political science?
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What type of argument can be proven or disproven through experiments and/or observations?
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Who believed that sociologists needed to have an empathetic understanding of human behavior, or Verstehen?
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What is the period of time referred to as the ______?
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Who is considered the 'Father of Sociology'?
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Who believed that history is characterized by conflicts between classes of people?
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What is the idea that society could be studied scientifically and that we could make sense out of our world?
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What period saw major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology?
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Who conducted an extensive study on the causes of suicide and believed that sociology should be concerned with social facts?
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Did Jane Addams and the Progressive Party support Woodrow Wilson in the presidential election of 1912?
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Has there been an explosion of specialties and sub-specialties in sociology in the last few decades?
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What did Jane Addams and other settlement house workers do to elected officials?
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What type of sociology emphasizes using knowledge to improve the life of the community?
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Does sociology today utilize only the basic approach?
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What type of sociology emphasizes the scientific and unbiased examination of society?
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Did Jane Addams believe that women should not get the right to vote?
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What were settlement houses created to do?
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Who coined the phrase 'sociological imagination'?
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What is a sociological _____?
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Do sociological studies always confirm what we already know through our own common sense?
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What is the degree to which members of a group are connected to others in their society referred to as?
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Who conducted a study of suicide that illustrated the sociological imagination approach?
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Study Notes
Definition of Sociology
- Sociology is a social science that studies society.
- It is not a natural science.
Key Principles
- Objectivity, or being free from bias, is the foundation of sociological studies.
- Empirical evidence includes facts gathered from experiments and data collection.
- Sociologists do not have to worry about bias in their studies; they should try to avoid it.
History of Sociology
- Auguste Comte is considered the "Father of Sociology" and was the first person to use the term "Sociology".
- The Enlightenment was a period that looked to reason to explain the world, predating the creation of sociology as a discipline.
- The Industrial Revolution saw major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology, affecting social, economic, and cultural conditions.
Key Figures
- Max Weber believed sociologists needed an empathetic understanding of human behavior, or Verstehen.
- Karl Marx believed history is characterized by conflicts between classes of people.
- Emile Durkheim conducted an extensive study on the group causes of suicide and believed sociology should be concerned with social facts.
Applied Sociology
- Applied sociology uses knowledge to improve the life of the community.
- Settlement houses were created to ease social problems with poverty.
- Jane Addams supported women's right to vote and worked to improve the community through settlement houses.
Theories and Concepts
- A sociological concept is an explanation of a social problem, action, or behavior.
- Social integration refers to the degree to which members of a group are connected to others in their society.
- C. Wright Mills coined the phrase "sociological imagination" to describe the perspective sociologists employ to view society as an outsider, or without bias.
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Description
Test your knowledge of basic sociology concepts, including the definition of sociology, empirical evidence, and objectivity.