Sociology: Study of Groups and Societies

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

What is the definition of sociology?

The scientific and systematic study of groups and group interactions, societies and social interactions, from small and personal groups to very large groups.

How do sociologists define a society?

A group of people who live in a defined geographic area, who interact with one another, and who share a common culture.

What do sociologists study at the micro-level?

Small groups and individual interactions.

What does the term 'culture' refer to in sociology?

The group’s shared practices, values, and beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

How do sociologists study culture using the sociological imagination?

By examining the influence of society and history on individuals' lives and experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is reification?

Treating an abstract concept as though it has a real, material existence. Signup and view all the answers

How do sociologists view personal decisions made by individuals?

Sociologists view personal decisions as not existing in a vacuum, but as influenced by cultural patterns, social forces, and societal pressures. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of contemporary social issues that sociologists might study?

Examples include the 'Stop and Frisk' policy, emergence of new political factions, and the influence of Twitter on everyday communication. Signup and view all the answers

How does the wider culture influence a person's decision to marry in the United States?

The wider culture influences a person's decision to marry by affecting the social acceptability of marriage relative to the person's circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of sociologists when studying the consequences of new family patterns?

Sociologists focus on studying the ways children influence and are influenced by new family patterns, as well as the changing needs for education, housing, and healthcare. Signup and view all the answers

How have U.S. families changed over time?

The 'typical' family in past decades consisted of married parents living with their unmarried children. Today, there is an increase in unmarried couples, same-sex couples, single-parent and single-adult households, as well as expanded households with extended family members living together. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the concept of 'cultural patterns' in sociology?

Cultural patterns refer to the ways in which social forces and influences put pressure on people to select one choice over another. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of studying the behavior of large groups of people for sociologists?

Studying the behavior of large groups of people helps sociologists identify general patterns and societal pressures that influence individual choices. Signup and view all the answers

How does employment and economic conditions play a role in families?

Employment and economic conditions play a role in families by influencing their views on marriage and family, as well as affecting their living arrangements and child-rearing choices. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of 'awareness' described by Wright Mills?

The awareness described by Wright Mills is an understanding of the relationship between a person's behavior and experience and the wider culture that shaped the person's choices and perceptions. Signup and view all the answers