SOCI 100 Midterm 1 PDF

Understanding Society and Human Behavior The Influence of Society on Individual Choices ​ Society shapes people's choices through social patterns and norms. ​ Social norms dictate how individuals should act, think, and look. ​ Individuals are influenced by societal expectations, personal choi...

Understanding Society and Human Behavior The Influence of Society on Individual Choices ​ Society shapes people's choices through social patterns and norms. ​ Social norms dictate how individuals should act, think, and look. ​ Individuals are influenced by societal expectations, personal choices, and life circumstances. ​ The human condition questions the extent of individual identity. ​ Sociology explores the interplay between societal forces and individual actions. ​ Examples: Personal choice, family influence, societal norms. The Concept of Sociology ​ Sociology studies society's impact on individuals and vice versa. ​ It involves understanding patterns of behavior and cultural barriers. ​ Sociological imagination emphasizes empathy for others. ​ Culture can hinder communication and connections. ​ Sociology aids in policy analysis and societal study. ​ Example: C. Wright Mills' concept of personal histories within a larger context. Comparative Analysis with Other Disciplines ​ Sociology compared with disciplines like history and anthropology. ​ Ibn Khaldun's theory on societal solidarity and collapse. ​ The French Revolution and Enlightenment as historical contexts for societal change. ​ Auguste Comte's contribution to coining the term sociology. ​ Comparison of social statistics and social dynamics. ​ Example: Analysis of progress and equality in societal development. Sociological Toolkit Research Methods and Theoretical Approaches ​ Empirical research methods provide reliable knowledge through observation. ​ Sociological theorizing involves positivist, interpretative, and critical approaches. ​ Emile Durkheim's positivist approach emphasizes explanation and prediction. ​ Max Weber's interpretative approach focuses on deep understanding and context.  ​ Karl Marx's critical approach delves into power dynamics and emancipation. ​ Example: Manifest and latent functions in societal structures. Core Sociological Theoretical Perspectives ​ Functionalist perspective views society as a living organism with shared norms. ​ Emile Durkheim's emphasis on social facts and structures. ​ Conflict perspective highlights social inequality and power struggles. ​ Karl Marx's theories on class struggle and alienation. ​ Symbolic interactionist perspective analyzes learned behaviors and interactions. ​ Feminist perspective focuses on gender equality and societal inequalities. ​ Example: Analysis of the growing wealth gap globally. Sociological Perspectives Patriarchy and Postmodernism ​ Patriarchy assumes men can speak for women, excluding women from decision-making processes. ​ Postmodernism challenges traditional assumptions, highlighting that truth is socially constructed. ​ Post-WW2 saw a shift from manufacturing to idea production, leading to skeptical and affirmative postmodernism. ​ Skeptical postmodernism views social change as chaotic, while affirmative postmodernism questions existing knowledge. ​ Postmodernism refers to a historical period, while poststructuralism addresses the crisis in 'knowing'. Critical Thinking Levels ​ Lower Order: Involves memorization, recall, and paraphrasing. ​ Higher Order: Focuses on seeking evidence, extrapolating information, and critically analyzing elite discourses. Definitions Chapter 1 ​ Strange in the Familiar: Examines how society shapes individual choices. ​ General in the Particular: Identifies broader social patterns reflected in individual actions. ​ Norms and Normative: Society's expectations and behaviors that align with norms. ​ Life Chances: Opportunities individuals have based on factors like stratification and gender. ​ Micro vs. Macro Level: Individual experiences vs. broader social choices.  ​ Sociological Imagination: Perceiving connections between personal experiences and societal forces. Sociological Theories Classical vs. Contemporary Theories ​ Classical Theories: Foundation of early sociological development. ​ Contemporary Theories: Developed post-mid-20th century, building on classical foundations. ​ Manifest vs. Latent Functions: Intended vs. unintended functions of societal structures. ​ Values and Social Facts: Shared criteria for right or wrong and observable social phenomena. Sociological Research Methods ​ Importance of Sociological Research: Evidentiary-based understanding of social phenomena. ​ Sociological Reasoning: Combining empirical methods with theoretical concepts. ​ Deductive vs. Inductive Reasoning: Theory-driven vs. data-driven approaches to research. ​ Goals of Research: Exploratory, descriptive, explanatory, evaluation, and empowerment research. ​ Research Process: Steps include formulating questions, literature review, data collection, analysis, and reporting. Sharing Research Findings Disseminating Findings ​ Sharing research findings at academic conferences and in academic journals contributes to the body of knowledge. ​ Peer review is a crucial aspect of validating research findings. ​ Knowledge is built through consensus and continuous evaluation of research. ​ Findings can be proven wrong in the future, highlighting the evolving nature of knowledge. ​ Ethical considerations play a significant role in research dissemination. Importance of Ethics in Research Ethical Principles ​ History of mistreatment underscores the importance of ethical guidelines. ​ The Tri-Council Policy Statement 2 emphasizes the welfare and dignity of research participants. ​ Informed consent and respect for participants' autonomy are essential. ​ Upholding justice and ethical standards in research is paramount. ​ Ethical considerations are crucial in research design and implementation. Qualitative and Quantitative Methods Data Collection Methods ​ Qualitative methods focus on understanding phenomena using non-numerical data. ​ Quantitative methods involve counting and testing hypotheses. ​ Critical research strategies involve questioning assumptions and studying structures that marginalize certain groups. ​ Researchers must employ a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods for comprehensive analysis. ​ Every research perspective has blind spots that need to be addressed. Mass Media in the Digital Age Media Consumption Patterns ​ Media is integrated into various aspects of daily life. ​ Individuals, businesses, and governments heavily rely on online platforms for communication. ​ Per Capita Minutes/Week Spent Using Forms of Media vary across age groups. ​ Legacy media (e.g., newspapers, radio) and new media (e.g., social media) coexist in the digital landscape. ​ Critical perspectives like McLuhan's 'medium is the message' highlight the impact of media on society. Privacy and Regulation ​ Privacy concerns include hacking, data mining, and net neutrality. ​ Censorship and government control over media platforms raise ethical and legal issues. ​ Media plays a crucial role in shaping social structures and maintaining societal norms. ​ The Functionalist Perspective views media as contributing to the economy and public awareness.  ​ The Conflict Perspective focuses on power struggles and disparities in media ownership. Key People ​ C. Wright Mills (1916-1962): Introduced the concept of sociological imagination, emphasizing the relationship between personal histories and larger societal contexts. ​ Auguste Comte (1798-1857): Coined the term sociology and emphasized the application of scientific methods to study society. ​ Emile Durkheim (1858-1917): A key figure in sociology known for his work on social facts and the functionalist perspective. ​ Karl Marx (1813-1883): Focused on class struggle and the role of power in social processes, foundational to conflict theory. ​ Max Weber (1864-1920): Known for his interpretative approach and the concept of verstehen (deep understanding). Fundamental Theories Theory Description Functionalism Views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability and order. Conflict Theory Focuses on the struggles between different social classes and the inequalities that arise from capitalism. Symbolic Interactionism Analyzes how individuals develop understanding and meaning through social interactions. Feminist Theory Examines gender inequalities and advocates for women's rights and equality. Postmodernism Suggests that truth is socially constructed and emphasizes the diversity of experiences and perspectives. Key Concepts in Research ​ Empirical Research Methods: Data collection methods that produce verifiable findings. ​ Deductive Reasoning: A top-down approach starting with theories and leading to specific findings. ​ Inductive Reasoning: A bottom-up approach beginning with observations and leading to theory construction. ​ Qualitative Methods: Research methods that focus on understanding the quality of social phenomena using non-numerical data. ​ Quantitative Methods: Research methods that involve counting or testing hypotheses to explain phenomena. Key Historical Contexts ​ The Enlightenment: A period emphasizing reason, equality, and progress, influencing modern sociological thought. ​ The French Revolution: A significant event that questioned authority and social structures, impacting sociological perspectives on power and inequality. ​ Colonialism and Colonization: Historical processes that shaped social structures and inequalities, relevant to understanding contemporary social dynamics. Facts to Memorize ​ C.Wright Mills: Sociological imagination connects individual experiences to larger social forces. ​ Emile Durkheim: Coined the term 'social facts' and emphasized the importance of studying society scientifically. ​ Karl Marx: Focused on class struggle and the dynamics of power in society. ​ Auguste Comte: Considered the father of sociology and introduced the concepts of social statics and dynamics. Reference Information ​ Sociological Imagination: The ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and larger social influences. ​ Macro vs. Micro Level: Macro focuses on large-scale social processes, while micro focuses on individual interactions. ​ Empirical Research Methods: Systematic procedures for collecting data that yield verifiable findings. Cause and Effect  Cause Effect Industrial Revolution Shifted societies from agrarian to industrial, leading to urbanization and changes in social structures. French Revolution Questioned the authority of monarchies and led to the rise of democratic ideals. Enlightenment Ideas Promoted reason, equality, and progress, influencing modern democratic and social structures. Colonialism Established power dynamics that continue to affect global relations and inequalities today. Key Terms/Concepts ​ Sociology: The systematic study of society and social behavior. ​ Sociological Imagination: The ability to perceive the interconnections between individual experiences and larger social forces. ​ Agency: People's capacity to make choices that impact themselves and society. ​ Micro Level: The level of individual experiences and choices. ​ Macro Level: The level of broader social choices and structures.