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Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the focus of sociological study?
Which of the following best describes the focus of sociological study?
According to sociological perspective, what does it mean to say that society precedes individuals?
According to sociological perspective, what does it mean to say that society precedes individuals?
Which of the following is a core idea related to understanding social construction?
Which of the following is a core idea related to understanding social construction?
What does 'seeing the strange in the familiar' mean in sociological terms?
What does 'seeing the strange in the familiar' mean in sociological terms?
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Which of these best illustrates the concept of 'seeing the general in the particular' in sociology?
Which of these best illustrates the concept of 'seeing the general in the particular' in sociology?
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What is the main difference between macro and micro sociology?
What is the main difference between macro and micro sociology?
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Which concept, developed by C. Wright Mills, emphasizes the connection between individual experiences and broader societal structures?
Which concept, developed by C. Wright Mills, emphasizes the connection between individual experiences and broader societal structures?
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According to sociological perspective, why might an individual experiencing unemployment be viewed as more than a personal trouble?
According to sociological perspective, why might an individual experiencing unemployment be viewed as more than a personal trouble?
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According to Mead's theory, which stage involves an individual internalizing the expectations of society and understanding their role in a broader social context?
According to Mead's theory, which stage involves an individual internalizing the expectations of society and understanding their role in a broader social context?
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Which concept developed by G.H. Mead refers to the abstract expectations and norms of society that influence an individual's behavior as a whole?
Which concept developed by G.H. Mead refers to the abstract expectations and norms of society that influence an individual's behavior as a whole?
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According to Cooley, the 'looking-glass self' is based on an individual's perception of their appearance and actions as observed by others, and includes which of the following components?
According to Cooley, the 'looking-glass self' is based on an individual's perception of their appearance and actions as observed by others, and includes which of the following components?
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If someone is a student as well as a mother trying to keep up with her job, which concept best describes the stress she may be feeling?
If someone is a student as well as a mother trying to keep up with her job, which concept best describes the stress she may be feeling?
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What does the concept of an 'achieved status' refer to?
What does the concept of an 'achieved status' refer to?
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Which of these is most reflective of role stress?
Which of these is most reflective of role stress?
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Which is not a characteristic typically associated with a bureaucracy?
Which is not a characteristic typically associated with a bureaucracy?
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What is the term used to describe excessive and often unnecessary government regulations and bureaucracy that can generate financial or time costs?
What is the term used to describe excessive and often unnecessary government regulations and bureaucracy that can generate financial or time costs?
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According to Erving Goffman, how do total institutions typically try to shape individuals?
According to Erving Goffman, how do total institutions typically try to shape individuals?
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According to Mead, which aspect of the self confronts societal norms and acts spontaneously?
According to Mead, which aspect of the self confronts societal norms and acts spontaneously?
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Which type of solidarity is characterized by shared roles and values, typical of pre-modern societies?
Which type of solidarity is characterized by shared roles and values, typical of pre-modern societies?
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What is the term for a state of normlessness and breakdown in societal values?
What is the term for a state of normlessness and breakdown in societal values?
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In Durkheim's view, which type of society is most prone to anomie?
In Durkheim's view, which type of society is most prone to anomie?
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Which research method involves immersing oneself in a setting to observe social interactions?
Which research method involves immersing oneself in a setting to observe social interactions?
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What is a key advantage of using secondary data in research?
What is a key advantage of using secondary data in research?
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In a research study, what ethical principle is respected when participants are fully informed about the study and can decide whether to participate freely?
In a research study, what ethical principle is respected when participants are fully informed about the study and can decide whether to participate freely?
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What is the primary difference between 'multiple methods' and 'mixed methods' in research design?
What is the primary difference between 'multiple methods' and 'mixed methods' in research design?
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What is a potential ethical challenge when conducting covert ethnographic research?
What is a potential ethical challenge when conducting covert ethnographic research?
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Which type of research focuses on patterns of messages, what is included/excluded, and whose interests are advanced?
Which type of research focuses on patterns of messages, what is included/excluded, and whose interests are advanced?
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What is a 'critical' approach to a research topic, according to the text?
What is a 'critical' approach to a research topic, according to the text?
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According to the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS), what is the key focus of the principle of 'Concern for Welfare'?
According to the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS), what is the key focus of the principle of 'Concern for Welfare'?
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When does anomie occur?
When does anomie occur?
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What is the primary goal of participant observation in ethnographic research?
What is the primary goal of participant observation in ethnographic research?
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According to the content, what do Research Ethics Review Boards do?
According to the content, what do Research Ethics Review Boards do?
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What does the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS) do?
What does the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS) do?
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Which of the following best describes the concept of cultural relativism?
Which of the following best describes the concept of cultural relativism?
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What is the primary focus of conflict theory when analyzing culture?
What is the primary focus of conflict theory when analyzing culture?
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A researcher is examining how a community's unique hand gestures contribute to its identity. What concept does this best illustrate?
A researcher is examining how a community's unique hand gestures contribute to its identity. What concept does this best illustrate?
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What does the concept of 'latent function' refer to in the context of functionalism?
What does the concept of 'latent function' refer to in the context of functionalism?
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Which of the following scenarios exemplifies secondary socialization?
Which of the following scenarios exemplifies secondary socialization?
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Which research type specifically addresses the ethical issues related to collecting and using biological samples?
Which research type specifically addresses the ethical issues related to collecting and using biological samples?
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What is a key focus of research involving Indigenous Peoples, according to the provided content?
What is a key focus of research involving Indigenous Peoples, according to the provided content?
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What is the best example of a 'More'?
What is the best example of a 'More'?
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What is a key characteristic of the sociological perspective?
What is a key characteristic of the sociological perspective?
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Which perspective views society as a system of interdependent parts that work together to maintain stability?
Which perspective views society as a system of interdependent parts that work together to maintain stability?
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Which concept describes the shared values and beliefs about what is considered desirable or undesirable in a society?
Which concept describes the shared values and beliefs about what is considered desirable or undesirable in a society?
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According to conflict theory, what is the primary driver of social change?
According to conflict theory, what is the primary driver of social change?
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According to the content, which statement best describes the relationship between language and thought?
According to the content, which statement best describes the relationship between language and thought?
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What is the focus of symbolic interactionism?
What is the focus of symbolic interactionism?
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What does the term 'shibboleth' refer to in the context of culture?
What does the term 'shibboleth' refer to in the context of culture?
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In the context of Herbert Blumer's symbolic interactionism, what is the initial step in understanding social behavior?
In the context of Herbert Blumer's symbolic interactionism, what is the initial step in understanding social behavior?
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What is a primary focus of feminist theory?
What is a primary focus of feminist theory?
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What is the main critique of functionalism?
What is the main critique of functionalism?
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What is the best example of a counterculture?
What is the best example of a counterculture?
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What does Émile Durkheim consider social facts to be?
What does Émile Durkheim consider social facts to be?
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What does the term 'folkway' refer to?
What does the term 'folkway' refer to?
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Which statement best defines the concept of ethnocentrism?
Which statement best defines the concept of ethnocentrism?
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What is a latent function of education?
What is a latent function of education?
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What was a primary focus of the first wave of feminist theory?
What was a primary focus of the first wave of feminist theory?
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Which of these aspects was a major feature in the modern era of sociological development?
Which of these aspects was a major feature in the modern era of sociological development?
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What is anomie, according to Durkheim?
What is anomie, according to Durkheim?
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What does Marx argue about individuals in relation to social structure?
What does Marx argue about individuals in relation to social structure?
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What is meant by the term 'verstehen' in the context of sociological theory?
What is meant by the term 'verstehen' in the context of sociological theory?
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What does Marx believe is a fundamental human and moral issue?
What does Marx believe is a fundamental human and moral issue?
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What is a characteristic of a 'normative' claim?
What is a characteristic of a 'normative' claim?
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Flashcards
Sociology
Sociology
The systematic study of society, behaviors, and interactions.
Society Precedes Individuals
Society Precedes Individuals
Society provides resources and norms essential for individual survival.
Social Constructs
Social Constructs
Human-made elements like money, norms, and crime shape our interactions.
Macro Sociology
Macro Sociology
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Micro Sociology
Micro Sociology
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Sociological Imagination
Sociological Imagination
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Seeing the Strange in the Familiar
Seeing the Strange in the Familiar
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Tangible Elements
Tangible Elements
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Personal troubles vs Public issues
Personal troubles vs Public issues
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Norms
Norms
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Manifest functions
Manifest functions
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Latent functions
Latent functions
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Cohesion
Cohesion
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Functionalism
Functionalism
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Conflict Theory
Conflict Theory
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Mechanical Solidarity
Mechanical Solidarity
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Organic Solidarity
Organic Solidarity
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Symbolic Interactionism
Symbolic Interactionism
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Feminist Theory
Feminist Theory
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Anomie
Anomie
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Causes of Anomie
Causes of Anomie
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Historical Roots of Sociology
Historical Roots of Sociology
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Effects of Anomie
Effects of Anomie
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Émile Durkheim
Émile Durkheim
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Auguste Comte
Auguste Comte
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Solidarity's Role
Solidarity's Role
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Solidarity
Solidarity
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Research Methods
Research Methods
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Secondary Data
Secondary Data
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Anomie
Anomie
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Socialization
Socialization
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Ethnography
Ethnography
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Participant Observation
Participant Observation
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Mixed Methods
Mixed Methods
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TCPS Ethical Principles
TCPS Ethical Principles
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Ethics Review Boards
Ethics Review Boards
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Consent in Research
Consent in Research
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Mead's Stages of Identity Formation
Mead's Stages of Identity Formation
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Preparatory Stage
Preparatory Stage
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Play Stage
Play Stage
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Game Stage
Game Stage
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Significant Others
Significant Others
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Looking-Glass Self
Looking-Glass Self
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"I" and "Me"
"I" and "Me"
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Ascribed vs. Achieved Status
Ascribed vs. Achieved Status
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Bureaucracy
Bureaucracy
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Total Institutions
Total Institutions
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Research Involving Indigenous Peoples
Research Involving Indigenous Peoples
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Qualitative Research
Qualitative Research
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Clinical Trials
Clinical Trials
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Human Biological Materials
Human Biological Materials
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Cultural Norms
Cultural Norms
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High Culture
High Culture
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Popular Culture
Popular Culture
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Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism
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Cultural Relativism
Cultural Relativism
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Primary Socialization
Primary Socialization
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Secondary Socialization
Secondary Socialization
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Cultural Symbols
Cultural Symbols
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Study Notes
Chapter 1: What is Sociology?
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Sociology is the systematic study of society, social behavior, interactions, and structures. It examines how individuals are shaped by and contribute to the social world.
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Society Precedes Individuals: Society provides resources, norms, and structures for survival and development. A baby needs these systems for survival.
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Society is Socially Constructed: Many societal elements (money, romance, crime, norms) are human-made, not natural phenomena. These shape behavior and interaction.
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Physical and Social Construction: Tangible elements (architecture, urban design) influence behavior. Social norms and practices vary across time and cultures (e.g., chairs in India).
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Seeing the Strange in the Familiar (Berger): Sociology challenges us to question everyday behaviors and norms (e.g., queuing).
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Seeing the General in the Particular: Identifying broad patterns from individual experiences (e.g., parenting roles).
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Macro vs. Micro Levels of Analysis:
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Macro Sociology: Examines large-scale systems (religion, globalization).
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Micro Sociology: Focuses on face-to-face interactions (conversations, team dynamics).
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Sociological Imagination (Mills): Bridges personal experiences with societal structures. Linking private troubles (unemployment) to public issues (economic policies, inequality).
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Norms and Terminology: Norms are expected behaviors (e.g., wearing coats). Normative claims express beliefs about how things should be.
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Critical Thinking: Asking why things exist and what conditions enable their existence (“What are the conditions of possibility for X?”).
Theoretical Perspectives
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Functionalism: Society is an organism with interdependent institutions (family, education); stability through equilibrium. Assumes consensus and ignores conflict.
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Manifest functions are intended and observable, while latent functions are unintended consequences (e.g., education reinforcing social stratification).
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Conflict Theory (Marx): Society is fundamentally divided (e.g., bourgeoisie, proletariat). Focus on inequality, power, and oppression. Social change through class conflict.
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Key point: society is the way it is because of human nature and how humans designed it.
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People must work to survive, creating a sense of self, but not everyone has the same means to produce their own existence. Therefore, access to means of survival is a fundamental moral issue.
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Symbolic Interactionism: Society is constructed through shared meanings and interactions (e.g., language, roles, symbols). Emphasis on understanding others' perspectives (verstehen).
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Feminist Theory: Focuses on gendered experiences (education, health, workplace, crime). Three waves: first (legal rights), second (representation/rights), and third (intersectionality).
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Postmodern Theories: Skepticism of universal truths and overarching narratives. Exploring power, knowledge, and authority.
Historical Roots of Sociology
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Pre-Modern Era: Rigid hierarchies (feudal systems, religion) shaped social roles and power.
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Modern Era: Industrialization, urbanization, new technologies changed family structures, class systems, and labor relations. Political movements (democracy, questioning of religious authority) affected social change.
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Contemporary Era: Globalization, social movements (rights-based), technological changes, and their impact on social interactions, work, and identity.
Key Sociological Concepts
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Solidarity and Anomie (Durkheim):
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Mechanical Solidarity: Cohesion in simple societies based on shared roles and values.
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Organic Solidarity: Cohesion in complex societies through interdependence.
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Anomie: Normlessness, often during major change, leading to social problems. Causes include rapid social change, economic instability.
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Socialization: Process of learning norms, roles, and values from society. Important agents include family, schools, peers, and media. Primary (early) and secondary socialization (specific roles).
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Status and Role:
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Status set: The collection of statuses held by an individual.
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Ascribed status: Assigned at birth.
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Achieved status: Earned through actions.
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Master status: Most influential status.
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Role conflict: Balancing competing roles.
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Role strain: Difficulty satisfying demands of a single role
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Bureaucracy: Established patterns in institutions; clear responsibilities, division of labor, hierarchy, predictability, calculation, control (red tape).
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Total institutions (Goffman): Institutions producing a singular, collective identity.
Chapter 2: Sociological Methods
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Research Methods: Experiments, surveys, interviews, secondary analysis (content/discourse analysis), ethnography, mixed methods.
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Ethics: Respect for persons, minimizing harm, and ensuring justice (e.g., TCPS guidelines).
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Secondary Data Analysis: Using existing datasets, often cost-effective but limited.
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Ethnography and Participant Observation: Deep understanding of behaviors, meanings, and interactions; covert, semi-covert, or open observation, with potential ethical concerns.
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Multiple and Mixed Methods: Using multiple methods to address a single question; combines quantitative and qualitative approaches for a more comprehensive understanding.
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Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS): Ethics guidelines from NSERC, CIHR, and SSHRC.
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General Ethical Principles: Respect for persons, concern for welfare, and justice.
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Key Ethical Areas: Informed consent, fairness, inclusivity, confidentiality, review boards, conflicts of interest, and multicultural/indigenous awareness.
Culture
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Culture: Shared values, beliefs, behaviors, and objects across time and space (material and non-material).
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Norms and Values: Norms (rules) guide behavior, including folkways, mores, laws, taboos, and sanctions (formal/informal). Values are shared beliefs.
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Cultural Categories: High culture, popular culture, subcultures, and countercultures.
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Ethnocentrism vs. Cultural Relativism: Ethnocentrism judges others by one's own standards; cultural relativism evaluates cultures within their context.
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Language: Reflects and shapes culture but doesn't limit thought.
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Symbols: Represent shared meanings and foster collective identity.
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Socialization and Identity Formation: Individuals internalize societal norms through interaction.
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Identity: Formed by personal traits, social characteristics (e.g., religion), and chosen actions. The self is viewed through the "looking-glass self," interactions with others (Cooley and Mead).
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"I" and "Me" (Mead): The "I" acts, the "Me" reflects societal expectations.
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Language and Cultural Perspectives: Language reflects and shapes culture, but the absence of a word doesn't mean a concept is not understood. Language, then, matters for sociology because specific languages are inherently cultural, produce communities, and facilitate cultural transmission; changes in language reflect diffusion and shifts in culture.
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Institutions: Agents of socialization (family, schools, peers, media) reinforce societal norms.
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Key Insights: Sociology goes beyond description to examine the conditions enabling social phenomena, recognizing the complexities of high and popular culture.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Explore the foundations of sociology in this quiz focused on Chapter 1. Understand how society shapes individuals and the importance of social constructs. Dive into the core ideas of normative behavior and the relationship between the individual and the collective.