Sociology: Key Concepts

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Questions and Answers

Differentiate between the manifest and latent functions of a public organization such as a university.

Manifest functions are the intended purposes, like education and research. Latent functions are unintended consequences, like creating social networks or a marriage market.

How might a conflict theorist view the role of private organizations in society?

Conflict theorists may argue that private organizations primarily serve the interests of the dominant economic class, potentially exploiting workers and contributing to wealth inequality.

Describe how an interactionist might study the nature vs nurture debate?

An interactionist would look at how social interactions influence and shape expression of genetic predispositions and how environment and lived experiences play a role in this.

How do peer groups and schools contribute differently to the socialization process during adolescence?

Peer groups primarily influence social behavior, identity formation, and trends, while schools focus on academic skills, discipline, and societal norms. Signup and view all the answers

Explain, using the functionalist perspective, how religion can be seen as a socializing agent.

From a functionalist perspective, religion promotes social cohesion by providing shared values, moral guidelines, and a sense of community, thus contributing to social stability. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways can media and technology reinforce existing social inequalities, according to the conflict perspective?

Media and technology can reflect and amplify the values and interests of dominant groups, marginalize minority voices, and perpetuate stereotypes that reinforce social hierarchies. Signup and view all the answers

How might the government act as an agent of socialization by shaping citizen's identities?

Governments socialize citizens through civic education, which teaches common values and norms, and through laws and policies, which incentivize certain behaviors and discourage others. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how ascribed and achieved statuses can affect an individual's opportunities and life chances.

Ascribed statuses (e.g., race, gender) can create barriers or advantages based on societal prejudices, while achieved statuses (e.g., education, occupation) can improve social mobility but may still be influenced by ascribed statuses. Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between primary and secondary groups and provide an example of how each influences an individual's behavior.

Primary groups (e.g., family) involve close, personal relationships and influence core values and identity. Secondary groups (e.g., work teams) are more formal and task-oriented, influencing professional behavior and specific skills. Signup and view all the answers

How can social networks both empower individuals and perpetuate inequalities?

Social networks provide access to information, resources, and opportunities, empowering individuals. However, they can also perpetuate inequalities if access is limited to certain groups, reinforcing existing social stratifications. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the sociological imagination can help someone understand the unemployment rate in their city, rather than just seeing it as a personal problem.

The sociological imagination allows one to see unemployment not just as a personal failing, but as a broader social issue affected by factors like economic downturns, industry shifts, and governmental policies. Signup and view all the answers

Describe a situation where confirmation bias might prevent someone from making a rational choice. How could they overcome this?

Someone deeply invested in a particular political ideology might only seek out news sources that confirm their beliefs, ignoring contradictory evidence that would inform a more balanced decision. Overcoming this involves actively seeking out diverse perspectives and critically evaluating all information. Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. Provide an example of how applying cultural relativism can improve cross-cultural understanding.

Ethnocentrism is judging other cultures based on the standards of one's own, while cultural relativism is understanding a culture on its own terms. For example, instead of criticizing a culture for different eating utensils, one might appreciate the functionality and history behind those tools. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how norms and values are related, and give an example of a norm that reflects a specific value in your society.

Values are shared beliefs about what is good or desirable, while norms are the rules that dictate acceptable behavior based on those values. An example is the value of 'respect for elders,' which is reflected in norms such as offering them seats or listening attentively to their advice. Signup and view all the answers

How might the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis explain differences in how cultures perceive time or space?

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that language structures thought. Therefore, if a language has many words for different nuances of a particular color, speakers of that language might perceive color differently than those whose language only has a few words for color. Signup and view all the answers

Contrast an ascribed status with an achieved status, and explain how a master status can influence interactions in one's daily life.

An ascribed status is assigned at birth (e.g., race), while an achieved status is earned (e.g., a profession). A master status, such as being a well-known athlete, can shape interactions by influencing how others perceive and treat an individual, often overshadowing their other statuses. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of 'democratic bargain' and provide an example of a situation where individual rights might be limited for the greater good of society.

The democratic bargain is an implicit agreement where citizens accept certain limitations on their freedoms in exchange for protection and rights. An example is mandatory vaccinations: individual autonomy to refuse a vaccine is limited to protect public health and prevent disease outbreaks. Signup and view all the answers

Describe a situation where System 1 thinking might lead to a flawed conclusion and how System 2 thinking could correct it.

Seeing a person wearing expensive clothing, System 1 might immediately assume they are wealthy or successful. System 2 thinking would involve considering other possibilities, such as that the clothes are borrowed, fake, or that the person is deeply in debt. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Sociological Imagination

The ability to see the connections between personal experiences and larger social forces.

Rational Choice

A decision-making process of weighing costs and benefits before acting.