Social Science Reviewer PDF

Social Science - Branch of science that deals with society. Sociological Imagination -By C. Wright Mills -Ability to see the connections between personal experiences and larger social forces. Troubles - Personal or individual difficulties Ex. Failing Grade, No Money, etc. Issue - Much larger proble...

Social Science - Branch of science that deals with society. Sociological Imagination -By C. Wright Mills -Ability to see the connections between personal experiences and larger social forces. Troubles - Personal or individual difficulties Ex. Failing Grade, No Money, etc. Issue - Much larger problems, troubles of society. Ex. Hunger, Poverty, Racism, etc. Anthropology - Study of everything that makes us human. 4 pillars of anthropology Society - cultural variation among humans, focusing on norms,values, and social practices. Biological Anthropology- Exploration of human evolution, biological diversity, and the relationship between biology and culture. Linguistics -Investigation of how language influences social life and reflects cultural practices. Archaeology - Examination of past human societies through material remains to understand historical cultures. Sociology - Study of society’s patterns and context. (Changes) Political Science - Study of Power and Government. Structural Functionalism: Society is a complex system where all parts work together to maintain stability and order. Social Conflict: Society is shaped by struggles over power and resources, with inequality leading to ongoing conflict. Symbolic Interactionism: Society is created and maintained through everyday interactions and the meanings individuals attach to symbols. Culture - refers to the shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that people in a group use to understand their world and interact with each other. Society - Group of people who share a culture and are bound by shared identity. The 5 key characteristics of culture are: 1. Learned: Culture is not something we're born with; we learn it from those around us, like family, friends, and society. 2. Shared: Culture is common to a group of people; it unites them through similar practices and values. 3. Symbolic: Culture uses symbols, like language or objects, to represent ideas and beliefs. 4. Dynamic: Culture changes over time as people adapt to new situations and influences. 5. Integrated: All parts of culture (like religion, food, laws, etc.) are connected and influence each other to form a cohesive whole. Socialization is the process through which people learn the norms, values, and behaviors necessary to function in society. The 3 types of socialization are: Primary Socialization: The first stage, where we learn basic skills and norms from our family during early childhood. Secondary Socialization: Happens as we grow, learning how to behave in different groups or settings, like school, work, or with friends. Anticipatory Socialization: When we learn and adopt behaviors or roles in preparation for future situations, like training for a job or getting ready to become a parent. Looking Glass Theory - suggests that we develop our self-image based on how we think others see us. In simple terms, it's like looking into a mirror—how we feel about ourselves is shaped by imagining how others view and judge us, and then we respond to that perception. Ex. Imagine a student gives a presentation in class. Afterward, they believe their classmates think they were nervous and unprepared. As a result, the student may feel self-conscious and doubt their abilities, even if no one actually viewed them that way. The student's self-image is shaped by how they *think* others perceive them, not necessarily the reality. Kapwa Theory - comes from Filipino psychology and emphasizes the idea of shared identity and interconnectedness. In simple terms, *kapwa* means recognizing that we are not isolated individuals but are deeply connected to others. It promotes empathy, mutual respect, and treating others as part of the same community or "self." Ex. In a Filipino neighborhood, when one family is going through a difficult time, like a loss, the whole community steps in to help and support them. This collective response comes from *kapwa*, the sense of shared identity and responsibility, where people see each other's well-being as connected and treat others as part of their extended family. Norms - rules or expectations that guide how people should behave in society. The 4 types of norms are: 1. Folkways: Everyday, casual norms that aren't strictly enforced, like saying "please" and "thank you." Breaking them might be seen as rude but not serious. Example: Eating with utensils at a formal dinner. 2. Mores: Stronger norms tied to morals and values, with more serious consequences if violated. - Example: Lying or cheating in relationships is considered wrong. 3. Taboos: Extremely strong norms where breaking them is seen as unacceptable or repulsive by society. - Example: Cannibalism is a taboo in most cultures. 4. Laws: Formal norms written down and enforced by authorities, with legal penalties if broken. - Example: Stealing is against the law and can result in punishment like fines or jail time. Deviance refers to behavior that goes against society’s norms or rules, and it can vary depending on the culture or situation. Here are explanations of deviance based on different theories: 1. Merton’s Strain Theory: Deviance occurs when there’s a gap between societal goals (like wealth or success) and the means available to achieve them. If people can’t reach these goals through accepted methods, they may turn to deviant behaviors. Example: Someone might steal to achieve financial success because they feel they can’t do so through a regular job. 2. Aker’s Social Learning Theory: Deviance is learned behavior, influenced by the people we interact with. If we associate with people who engage in deviant acts, we’re more likely to learn and adopt those behaviors. Example: A teenager might start shoplifting if their friends regularly do it and encourage it. 3. Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory: Deviance happens when a person’s bonds to society (such as family, school, or work) are weak or broken. Strong social ties discourage deviance because individuals care about conforming to societal expectations. Example: A person with strong family support is less likely to commit crimes because they don’t want to disappoint their loved ones. 4. Labelling Theory: Deviance is not about the act itself but how society labels certain behaviors as deviant. Once someone is labeled as “deviant,” they might accept this label and continue with more deviant behavior. Example: If a student is labeled a “troublemaker,” they might start behaving worse because they feel that’s how people expect them to act.