Sociology Concepts: Functionalism & Interactionism

Questions and Answers

How did functionalist Emile Durkheim view society?

An organism in which each portion plays a vital role in keeping the organism stable and healthy

A _____ would be concerned with the parts that objects play in impression management.

Symbolic interactionist

Blue Ivy Carter's role as heiress to her parent's fortune is an _____.

Ascribed status

What is alienation?

The condition in which the individual is isolated and divorced from his or her society, work, or sense of self Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of the self-fulfilling prophecy?

Kevin sprained his ankle a month before a marathon. Though his trainer advises him not to participate, Kevin runs the marathon and places third. Signup and view all the answers

What is institutionalization?

The act of implanting a convention or norm into society Signup and view all the answers

What did Karl Marx assert about societal change?

The working-class proletariat taking the means of production from the wealthy bourgeoisie Signup and view all the answers

What does Charles Cooley's concept of the looking-glass self hypothesize?

People base their image on how they think other people see them Signup and view all the answers

Please place the following societies in chronological order: ______

Hunter-gatherer; Pastoral; Horticultural; Agricultural Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of role conflict?

Becca returns to work after giving birth to her daughter, finding it difficult to act as a mother, wife, and executive. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Functionalism and Emile Durkheim

Emile Durkheim, a key functionalist, viewed society as an organism, where each part contributes to stability and health.

Symbolic Interactionism

Examines how objects like a judge's gavel, a cop's gun, and a lawyer's power suit influence impression management, emphasizing the role of symbols in social interactions.

Ascribed Status

Blue Ivy Carter, as the daughter of Jay Z and Beyoncé, holds an ascribed status, which is a social position assigned at birth.

Alienation

Describes a state where individuals feel isolated from society, their work, or their own identities, highlighting the impact of separation on individual well-being.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Kevin’s decision to run the marathon despite an injury illustrates an instance that does not represent a self-fulfilling prophecy, as it defies predictive outcomes.

Institutionalization

Refers to the process of embedding conventions or norms into society, impacting collective behavior and social structures over time.

Karl Marx and Class Conflict

Marx emphasized societal change stemming from conflict between the working-class proletariat and the wealthy bourgeoisie over control of the means of production.

Looking-Glass Self

Charles Cooley's concept suggests individuals develop their self-images based on perceptions of how others view them, underscoring the social nature of identity.

Chronological Order of Societies

Societal development progresses through the following stages: Hunter-gatherer; Pastoral; Horticultural; Agricultural, illustrating the evolution of human societies.

Role Conflict

Becca’s struggle to balance her roles as a mother, wife, and executive exemplifies role conflict, where multiple social positions create competing demands on an individual.

Description

This quiz explores key sociological concepts such as functionalism as explained by Emile Durkheim, symbolic interactionism, and the effects of ascribed status. Additionally, it examines themes like alienation and self-fulfilling prophecies in society. Test your understanding of these essential ideas in sociology.