Sociology Chapter: Durkheim on Suicide

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Questions and Answers

According to Durkheim's research, what is the primary social factor influencing suicide rates?

  • Religious affiliation
  • Individual psychological states
  • Economic instability
  • Social integration (correct)

What did Durkheim's research reveal about suicide rates across different countries?

  • Suicide rates are primarily influenced by individual events
  • Suicide rates are highly variable year to year in all countries
  • Suicide rates are similar across all countries
  • Each country has a unique suicide rate that remains relatively stable over time (correct)

Which of the following groups, according to Durkheim's findings, generally exhibit higher suicide rates?

  • Catholics, females, and married individuals
  • Catholics, males, and married individuals
  • Jews, unmarried males, and females
  • Protestants, males, and the unmarried (correct)

How did Durkheim explain the higher suicide rates among Protestants, males, and the unmarried?

<p>They have fewer social bonds that prevent suicide (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Durkheim's principle suggest about understanding human behavior?

<p>Human behavior must be examined in the context of social forces (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Durkheim primarily conduct his research on suicide?

<p>By comparing suicide rates across various groups and countries (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Durkheim, which aspect of Protestantism contributed to higher suicide rates in that group?

<p>Promotion of individual freedom and thought (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between social integration and suicide rates, as described by Durkheim?

<p>Lower social integration correlates with higher suicide rates (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the sociological perspective?

<p>The influence of social contexts on individual lives. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key element that shapes a person's social location?

<p>Income, education, gender, age and race-ethnicity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the sociological perspective encourage individuals to do regarding familiar worlds?

<p>To develop a fresh, new viewpoint on their surroundings. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Marx, what is the fundamental cause of human misery?

<p>Class conflict and exploitation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did C. Wright Mills mean by the term 'history' in the context of his 'sociological imagination'?

<p>A broad stream of events where any given society is situated. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term did Marx use to refer to the capitalist class that owns the means of production?

<p>The bourgeoisie (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the text describe the relationship between an individual's gender and their life experiences?

<p>Being identified as male or female shapes self-perception, aspirations, and relationships. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'social location' within the sociological perspective?

<p>The combination of jobs, income, education, gender, age, and race-ethnicity someone occupies in a society. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Marx, what is the expected outcome of the conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat?

<p>A violent revolution leading to a classless society (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the group that that does not own the means of production, according to Marx?

<p>The proletariat (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the effect of the sociological perspective on personal assumptions?

<p>It prompts individuals to question their own assumptions about life. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Marx's view on social change?

<p>It is inevitably a result of class struggle (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes sociology from other academic disciplines?

<p>Its emphasis on the social contexts of people's lives combined with a unique perspective. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx believe the working class must do to end their exploitation?

<p>Unite and violently overthrow the capitalist system (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Emile Durkheim's main goal for the field of sociology?

<p>To establish it as a distinct academic discipline. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Durkheim become the world's first professor of sociology?

<p>1887 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of the movement of people to cities during the time period discussed?

<p>People experienced a disruption in their traditional ways of life. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the success of the American and French revolutions influence societal thought?

<p>They inspired people to reevaluate what constituted acceptable and valid social structures. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the belief in individuals possessing inalienable rights?

<p>It contributed to the move toward more democratic forms of government. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is positivism, according to the text?

<p>The notion of applying scientific methods to the study of social life. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Auguste Comte's primary interest in relation to societal study?

<p>Analyzing what holds society together and what causes it to change. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is Auguste Comte considered the founder of sociology?

<p>He first proposed that the scientific method should be applied to the study of society. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Herbert Spencer known for in the context of sociology?

<p>Inventing the term 'survival of the fittest' and his views on helping the poor. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what was the logical next step once traditional answers to social questions began to fail?

<p>To attempt to apply the scientific method to questions about the social world. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a commonly held view about women's roles in the 1800s?

<p>Women were expected to focus on family and household duties, as summarized in the four K's: <em>Kirche, Küchen, Kinder, und Kleider</em>. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did some women pursuing higher education in the 19th century struggle to gain recognition?

<p>Sexism within universities prevented them from obtaining advanced degrees and professorships. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary contributing factor for why many of the early female sociologists were not well-known during their lifetimes?

<p>The writings of women were largely disregarded due to societal biases against them. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable outcome of Harriet Martineau's work?

<p>She became well-known for translating Comte's ideas into English, despite writing original works. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the obstacles faced by Harriet Martineau during her career?

<p>She was limited by societal biases that preferred women to be primarily domestic, causing her to hide her writing. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding Martineau's Society in America?

<p>It was a highly analytical exploration of American life including family, race, gender, politics, and religion. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When did Martineau's Society in America get released?

<p>Two or three decades before Durkheim and Weber were born. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which individual held a cabinet position in the U.S. government?

<p>Frances Perkins (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of applied sociology?

<p>To solve social problems and improve society (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which historical figure was NOT mentioned as a founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People?

<p>Max Weber (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of issues do applied sociologists investigate?

<p>Workplace dynamics in corporations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following criticisms is directed towards applied sociology?

<p>Sociology should be more theoretical (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What career path might applied sociologists pursue?

<p>Conducting marketing research (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the incorporation of applied sociology considered controversial?

<p>It mixes the boundaries with social work (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is an example of a social problem investigated by applied sociologists?

<p>Discrimination in the workplace (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a new area of focus for today's applied sociology?

<p>Disrupting terrorist groups (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Sociological Perspective

A view that enables understanding of social contexts and influences in life.

Social Context

The environment and circumstances that influence individual behavior and perspectives.

Social Location

The position a person occupies due to societal factors like race, gender, and class.

C.Wright Mills

Sociologist who highlighted the connection between historical events and individual experiences.

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Influence of Gender

The impact that being identified as male or female has on a person’s life and aspirations.

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Sociological Imagination

The ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and larger social forces.

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Cultural Influence

How shared beliefs and practices shape individuals’ behaviors and perspectives.

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Role of Society

The collective norms and values that shape individual actions and relationships.

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Urban Migration

Mass movement of people to cities for work, severing ties with rural traditions.

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Working Conditions

Poor working environments with low pay and long hours, including child labor.

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Inalienable Rights

Fundamental rights that cannot be taken away, influencing democratic reforms.

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Scientific Method

A systematic way to test theories using objective observations.

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Positivism

Applying the scientific method to study social phenomena, proposed by Comte.

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Auguste Comte

The founder of sociology who advocated for the scientific study of society.

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Herbert Spencer

Sociologist who coined 'survival of the fittest', opposing aid for the poor.

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Social Order

The arrangement of practices and behaviors on which society is based.

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Emile Durkheim

A foundational sociologist who studied social integration and suicide.

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Social Integration

The degree to which individuals are connected to their social groups.

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Suicide Rates

The frequency of suicide in different populations over time.

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Protestants, Males, and Unmarried

Groups identified by Durkheim as having higher suicide rates.

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Social Forces

Influences that shape individual behavior and societal norms.

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Rigorous Research

Detailed and systematic study to gather data and draw conclusions.

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Stability of Rates

Suicide rates remain consistent over the years within certain groups.

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Understanding Human Behavior

Analyzing individual actions within the context of societal influence.

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Karl Marx

A philosopher who proposed class conflict as the engine of history.

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Class Conflict

The struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat over resources.

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Bourgeoisie

The capitalist class that owns the means of production.

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Proletariat

The working class exploited for labor by the bourgeoisie.

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Marxism

A socio-political theory based on the ideas of Karl Marx.

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Revolution

A forceful overthrow of the capitalist system by the proletariat.

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Weber's conclusion

Weber argued that religion was a key factor in capitalism's rise.

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Four K's

A German phrase referring to women's roles: church, cooking, children, clothes.

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Early Sociology Education

Higher education was predominantly reserved for men during the 1800s.

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Harriet Martineau

An early woman sociologist who analyzed social life and customs in America.

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Society in America

Published in 1837, it examines U.S. customs, family, race, gender, politics, and religion.

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Sexism in Universities

Early women sociologists faced significant bias and were often ignored.

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Frances Perkins

First woman to hold a cabinet position in the U.S. as Secretary of Labor.

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Martineau's Legacy

Despite her contributions, Martineau's work was largely overlooked in her time.

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Applied Sociology

Using sociology to address and solve social problems.

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National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

An early example of applied sociology founded by W.E.B. Du Bois and Jane Addams.

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Criticism of Applied Sociology

Two main criticisms: focus on social reform vs knowledge discovery.

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Careers in Sociology

Sociologists work in various fields, from education to business.

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Social Problems Studied

Applied sociologists investigate issues like pornography, rape, and pollution.

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Marketing Research

A field where applied sociologists analyze consumer behavior and trends.

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Software Usability

Applied sociologists make software more user-friendly by studying usage.

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Social Reform

The effort to improve society through sociological insights.

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Study Notes

Chapter 1: The Sociological Perspective

  • Sociology is the study of society, examining how groups influence individuals.
  • The sociological perspective, or imagination, connects personal experiences to broader historical forces.
  • This perspective enables understanding of social contexts and group influences.
  • Society, a group sharing culture and territory, shapes individual actions.
  • Social location, an individual's position within society, affects perspectives and behavior, based on factors like job, income, education, gender, and race-ethnicity.
  • Sociology emerged during social upheavals like the Industrial Revolution and French Revolution, encouraging individuals to question traditional answers.

Origins of Sociology

  • Early thinkers, from ancient times, examined social life.
  • However, sociology, as a scientific discipline, emerged in the mid-1800s, employing scientific methods to test theories.
  • Auguste Comte, considered a founder of sociology, proposed positivism, using the scientific method to study society.
  • Herbert Spencer, another significant figure, advocated social Darwinism, drawing parallels between societal evolution and biological evolution. He coined the phrase "survival of the fittest" but this perspective is widely criticized.
  • Karl Marx emphasized class struggle between the bourgeoisie (capitalists) and proletariat (workers) as the engine of social change.
  • Emile Durkheim, focused on social forces impacting individual behavior, like social integration and suicide rates, establishing sociology as an academic discipline.
  • Max Weber examined the relationship between religion (particularly the Protestant ethic) and the rise of capitalism.

Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology

  • Functional Analysis (functionalism) views society as a complex system where different parts work together for stability. Parts are interconnected and affect each other.
  • Conflict Theory views society as a complex system in conflict between different groups competing for scarce resources like power, wealth, and prestige.
  • Symbolic Interactionism examines how people use symbols to create social meaning and interact. Social interactions are based on shared interpretations of signs and symbols.

Doing Sociological Research

  • Research methods provide tools for sociologists, including surveys, participant observation, secondary analysis, documents, experiments, and unobtrusive measures.
  • Research is strengthened by employing rigorous methods. Sampling techniques, like random sampling or stratified sampling, are important to capture representative populations.

Sociological Research Ethics

  • Research ethics require sociologists to be honest, truthful, and transparent.
  • It's important to acknowledge and address potential biases during the research process.
  • Maintaining the anonymity of research participants is crucial to maintain objectivity and ethical standards.

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