Sociology Chapter 1 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes sociology as a subject?

Study of cultural traditions
Study of society and social interaction (correct)
Study of economic systems
Study of individual behavior

Wright Mills once said that sociologists need to develop a sociological ________ to study how society affects individuals.

imagination

A sociologist defines society as a group of people who reside in a defined area, share a culture, and who:

interact

Seeing patterns means that a sociologist needs to be able to:

identify similarities in how social groups respond to social pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is figuration?

the process of simultaneously analyzing the behavior of an individual and the society that shapes that behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is sociological imagination?

the ability to understand how your own past relates to that of other people, as well as to history in general and societal structures in particular Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a topic of study in early sociology?

Economics (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which founder of sociology believed societies changed due to class struggle?

Karl Marx (D) Signup and view all the answers

The difference between positivism and antipositivism relates to:

whether sociological studies can predict or improve society Signup and view all the answers

Which would a quantitative sociologist use to gather data?

A large survey (D) Signup and view all the answers

Weber believed humans could not be studied purely objectively because they were influenced by:

their culture Signup and view all the answers

What is antipositivism?

the view that social researchers should strive for subjectivity as they worked to represent social processes, cultural norms, and societal values Signup and view all the answers

What is positivism?

the scientific study of social patterns Signup and view all the answers

What is qualitative sociology?

in-depth interviews, focus groups, and/or analysis of content sources as the source of its data Signup and view all the answers

What is quantitative sociology?

statistical methods such as surveys with large numbers of participants Signup and view all the answers

What does verstehen mean?

a German word that means to understand in a deep way Signup and view all the answers

Which of these theories is most likely to look at the social world on a micro level?

Symbolic interactionism (B) Signup and view all the answers

Who believed that the history of society was one of class struggle?

Karl Marx (A) Signup and view all the answers

Who coined the phrase symbolic interactionism?

Herbert Blumer (D) Signup and view all the answers

A symbolic interactionist may compare social interactions to:

Theatrical roles (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which research technique would most likely be used by a symbolic interactionist?

Participant observation (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is conflict theory?

a theory that looks at society as a competition for limited resources Signup and view all the answers

What is dramaturgical analysis?

a technique sociologists use in which they view society through the metaphor of theatrical performance Signup and view all the answers

What is dynamic equilibrium?

a stable state in which all parts of a healthy society are working together properly Signup and view all the answers

What are dysfunctions?

social patterns that have undesirable consequences for the operation of society Signup and view all the answers

What is function in sociology?

the part a recurrent activity plays in the social life as a whole and the contribution it makes to structural continuity Signup and view all the answers

What is functionalism?

a theoretical approach that sees society as a structure with interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of individuals that make up that society Signup and view all the answers

What are grand theories?

attempts to explain large-scale relationships and answer fundamental questions such as why societies form and why they change Signup and view all the answers

What are latent functions?

the unrecognized or unintended consequences of a social process Signup and view all the answers

What is macro-level?

a wide-scale view of the role of social structures within a society Signup and view all the answers

What are manifest functions?

sought consequences of a social process Signup and view all the answers

What are micro-level theories?

the study of specific relationships between individuals or small groups Signup and view all the answers

What are paradigms?

philosophical and theoretical frameworks used within a discipline to formulate theories, generalizations, and the experiments performed in support of them Signup and view all the answers

What are social facts?

the laws, morals, values, religious beliefs, customs, fashions, rituals, and all of the cultural rules that govern social life Signup and view all the answers

What is social solidarity?

the social ties that bind a group of people together such as kinship, shared location, and religion Signup and view all the answers

What is symbolic interactionism?

a theoretical perspective through which scholars examine the relationship of individuals within their society by studying their communication (language and symbols) Signup and view all the answers

What is theory in sociology?

a proposed explanation about social interactions or society Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Key Concepts in Sociology

Sociology: The systematic study of society and social interactions, focusing on patterns of behavior and structure.
Sociological Imagination: The ability to see how personal experiences relate to societal structures and history, as defined by Wright Mills.
Society: Defined as a group of people residing in a specific area, sharing a culture, and interacting with one another.

Sociological Perspectives

Symbolic Interactionism: Examines micro-level social interactions, comparing social behaviors to theatrical roles; emphasizes communication through language and symbols.
Conflict Theory: Views society as a struggle for limited resources, with society changing due to class struggles, notably proposed by Karl Marx.
Functionalism: A macro-level approach that sees society as a system of interrelated parts, each fulfilling functions to maintain societal stability.

Research Methodologies

Quantitative Sociology: Utilizes statistical methods, such as large surveys, to gather numerical data.
Qualitative Sociology: Involves in-depth interviews, focus groups, and content analysis for more nuanced understanding of social phenomena.
Antipositivism: Advocates for subjective interpretation in research to capture social processes and cultural norms.

Important Theories and Terms

Dramaturgical Analysis: A concept that views social interactions as performances, emphasizing the roles individuals play.
Dynamic Equilibrium: A state of balance where all parts of a society work together effectively.
Dysfunctions: Negative consequences that disrupt social order.
Manifest vs. Latent Functions: Manifest functions are intended and recognized outcomes of social processes, while latent functions are unintended and unrecognized consequences.

Historical Context and Contributions

Early Sociology Topics: Included the study of economics, shaping foundational sociological theories.
Key Theorists:
- Karl Marx: Emphasized class struggle as a driving force in societal change.
- Herbert Blumer: Coined the term "symbolic interactionism" and focused on the importance of individual interactions.
- Emile Durkheim: Known for his work on social facts and the importance of social solidarity.

Additional Concepts

Social Facts: Laws, morals, and values that shape societal behavior.
Social Solidarity: The social ties binding individuals in a community, based on kinship, location, or shared beliefs.
Paradigms: Theoretical frameworks within sociology that guide research and theory development.

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