Sociology Chapters 1-5 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the sociological perspective?

Seeing the general in the particular.

What is a global perspective?

The study of the larger world and our society's place within it.

Which of the following is NOT a driving force that led to the development of sociology?

Globalization (correct)

Immigration

Urbanization

Industrialization

Define structural functional theory.

Views society as a system of interdependent and interrelated parts that work together to promote solidarity and stability. Signup and view all the answers

Explain social conflict theory.

Conflict arises out of inequality between the owners and the workers, and out of conflict comes change. Signup and view all the answers

What is symbolic interactionist theory?

It views meaning as arising through the process of social interaction and emphasizes micro-level relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What is culture?

The ways of thinking, the ways of acting, and the material objects that together form a people's way of life. Signup and view all the answers

Define nonmaterial culture.

The ideas created by members of society, such as languages, beliefs, values, and norms. Signup and view all the answers

Define material culture.

The physical things created by members of society, such as art, architecture, and consumer goods. Signup and view all the answers

What is culture shock?

Personal disorientation when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life. Signup and view all the answers

List the elements of culture.

Symbols, languages, values, and beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered to be the first and primary agent of socialization?

Family Signup and view all the answers

The concept of childhood is not grounded in biology, but in culture.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is resocialization?

Radically changing an inmate's personality by carefully controlling the environment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an ascribed status?

Korean Signup and view all the answers

Status set refers to all of the statuses a person holds at a given time.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are some characteristics of bureaucracies?

Specialization, hierarchy of positions, rules and regulations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main finding of Milgram's studies?

People are likely to follow the lead of authority figures even when it means harming another person. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between normative and informative conformity?

Normative conformity involves adjusting behavior to fit in, while informative conformity is about conforming due to doubt in one's own knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sociological Concepts

Sociological Perspective: Emphasizes the relationship between individual experiences and larger societal patterns; recognizes that society significantly influences individual lives.
Global Perspective: Examines the interconnectedness of societies and cultures, highlighting how global events impact local contexts.

Sociology Foundations

Driving Forces for Sociology's Development: Rooted in historical changes such as industrialization, urbanization, and immigration, which reshaped societal structures and dynamics.

Theoretical Frameworks

Structural Functional Theory: Views society as a complex system where each part works together to promote stability and solidarity.
Social Conflict Theory: Focuses on the inequalities between different groups (owners vs. workers), suggesting that conflict can lead to social change.
Symbolic Interactionist Theory: Concentrates on the meanings individuals derive from social interactions; emphasizes micro-level analysis.

Cultural Elements

Culture: Encompasses the shared beliefs, behaviors, and material objects that characterize a society.
Nonmaterial Culture: Includes intangible elements such as values, beliefs, and norms.
Material Culture: Comprises physical objects like art, technology, and clothing created by a society.
Culture Shock: A feeling of disorientation experienced when exposed to an unfamiliar culture.

Components of Culture

Elements of Culture: Include symbols, language, values, and beliefs that form the foundation of a culture.
Values and Beliefs: Values represent societal ideals, while beliefs are specific ideas accepted as true by individuals within a culture.
Norms: Expectations and rules that guide behavior within a society.

Subculture vs. Counterculture: Subcultures represent smaller cultural groups within larger societies, while countercultures actively oppose dominant cultural norms.
Multiculturalism: Recognizes and seeks to promote the equal standing of diverse cultural traditions within a society.

Socialization

Socialization: The lifelong process through which individuals develop their identity and learn cultural norms.
Agents of Socialization: Key influencers include family, school, peer groups, and mass media, each playing a distinct role in social development.
Total Institutions: Settings where individuals are isolated from society and subjected to strict control, such as prisons and mental hospitals.

Personality Development Theories

Freud's Elements of Personality: Outlines three components: id (instinctual drives), superego (internalized societal norms), and ego (balancing the two).
Piaget's Cognitive Development: Identifies four stages of cognitive maturity: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational.
Kohlberg's Moral Development: Classifies moral reasoning into three levels: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional.
Gilligan's Gender and Moral Development: Suggests gender influences moral reasoning, with females focusing on relationships and males on abstract principles.

Society and Group Dynamics

Status: Refers to one's social position in society, defining relationships with others.
Role: Represents the expected behavior associated with a particular status.
Role Conflict vs. Role Strain: Conflicts arise when an individual faces opposing demands from multiple roles, while role strain occurs within a single status.
Primary vs. Secondary Groups: Primary groups are small, intimate, and enduring (like family), while secondary groups are larger, more task-oriented, and temporary (like colleagues).

Humor and Emotions

Functions of Humor: Acts as a tool for easing tension and addressing sensitive subjects without causing offense.
Emotional Expressions: Six basic emotions are universally recognized: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise; cultural contexts influence emotional triggers.

Organizational Structures

Types of Organizations: Classified as utilitarian (pay for efforts), normative (volunteer-based), and coercive (forced participation).
Bureaucracies: Characterized by specialization, hierarchical structure, strict rules, technical competence, impersonality, and formal communication.

Conformity and Influence

Asch's and Milgram's Studies: Demonstrated the tendency of individuals to conform to group pressures and obey authority figures, even under morally questionable circumstances.

Sociological Research Methods

Positivist Sociology: Focuses on empirical, scientific approaches to studying social behavior.
Interpretive Sociology: Emphasizes understanding social meanings and interpretations from the perspectives of individuals.
Critical Sociology: Advocates for social change by analyzing societal issues and power structures.

Cultural Variations

Cultural Lag: Refers to the disparity in the rate of change between different cultural components, often leading to disruptions.
Anticipatory Socialization: Involves learning and preparing for future roles.

Additional Concepts

Personal Space: The physical area surrounding an individual perceived as private.
Presentation of Self: The way individuals consciously express themselves to create specific impressions on others.

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Description

These flashcards cover key concepts from Sociology chapters 1 to 5. They include important terms such as Sociological Perspective and Global Perspective, providing definitions that highlight the relationships between individuals and society. Test your knowledge and understanding of fundamental sociological ideas with these study aids.