Ch 01: Intro to Sociology (Instructor)

Question 1

Auguste Comte

Answer 1

Father of sociology; coined “sociology” and “positivism.” Advocated scientific study of society. → Paradigm: Positivism

Question 2

Positivism

Answer 2

Scientific approach to studying society; emphasizes observable, empirical facts. → Theorist: Comte

Question 3

Harriet Martineau

Answer 3

Translated Comte; early feminist sociologist. Focused on gender, race, inequality.

Question 4

Herbert Spencer

Answer 4

Applied natural selection to society (“social Darwinism”); opposed social reform.

Question 5

Emile Durkheim

Answer 5

Studied social facts, solidarity, and suicide; established sociology as science. → Paradigm: Functionalism

Question 6

Social Solidarity

Answer 6

Social cohesion; binds people in society. → Durkheim

Question 7

Karl Marx

Answer 7

Focused on class conflict, capitalism, inequality, revolution. → Paradigm: Conflict Theory

Question 8

Conflict Theory

Answer 8

Society = arena of inequality; groups compete for power/resources. → Theorists: Marx, Du Bois

Question 9

Max Weber

Answer 9

Studied verstehen (subjective meaning), rationalization, bureaucracy. → Qualitative Sociology

Question 10

George Herbert Mead

Answer 10

Focused on self and social interaction; symbolic communication. → Paradigm: Symbolic Interactionism

Question 11

W.E.B. Du Bois

Answer 11

Studied race, double consciousness, African American experience. → Conflict Theory

Question 12

Functionalism

Answer 12

Society = system of parts working together for stability. → Durkheim, Spencer

Question 13

Function

Answer 13

Role/contribution of a social structure to society. → Functionalism

Question 14

Social Institutions

Answer 14

Structures (family, education, religion) organizing social life.

Question 15

Symbolic Interactionism

Answer 15

Focus on symbols, everyday interaction, meaning-making. → Mead, Blumer

Question 16

Quantitative Sociology

Answer 16

Uses statistics, surveys, numerical data for analysis. → Scientific approach

Question 17

Qualitative Sociology

Answer 17

Uses interviews, observation, non-numerical data; interprets meanings. → Weber, Mead

Question 18

Theory

Answer 18

Abstract explanation of social patterns/events.

Question 19

Hypothesis

Answer 19

Testable statement linking variables; derived from theory.

Question 20

Grand Theories

Answer 20

Broad, abstract frameworks explaining large-scale social processes. → Example: Structural Functionalism

Question 21

Paradigms

Answer 21

Basic model for understanding society; guides research and theory. → Major ones: Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism