Ch. 1-2 Study Guide

Question 1

Sociology

Answer 1

Scientific study of social behavior and human groups

Question 2

Ideal Type

Answer 2

Construct for evaluating specific cases

Question 3

Manifest Function

Answer 3

Open, stated, conscious functions; intended and recognized consequences of an aspect of society

Question 4

Theory

Answer 4

Set of statements that seeks to explain problems, actions, or behavior

Question 5

Conflict perspective

Answer 5

Assumes social behavior best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups

Question 6

science

Answer 6

Body of knowledge obtained by methods based on systematic observation

Question 7

Anomie

Answer 7

Loss of direction felt in a society when social control of individual behavior becomes ineffective

Question 8

Microsociology

Answer 8

Stresses study of small groups, often through experimental means

Question 9

Dysfunction

Answer 9

Elements or processes of society that may disrupt a social system or reduce its stability

Question 10

Independent Variable

Answer 10

Variable hypothesized to cause or influence another

Question 11

Dependent Variable

Answer 11

Action depends on influence of the independent variable

Question 12

Operational Definition

Answer 12

Explanation of an abstract concept that is specific enough to allow researchers to assess the concept

Question 13

Hypothesis

Answer 13

Speculative statement about the relationship between two or more factors known as variables

Question 14

Sample Control Group

Answer 14

Selection from a larger population that is statistically typical of that population

Question 15

Observation

Answer 15

Sociologist joins group to get accurate sense of how it operates

Question 16

Validity

Answer 16

Degree to which the measure reflects the phenomenon being studied

Question 17

Reliability

Answer 17

Extent to which the measure provides consistent results

Question 18

Quantiative

Answer 18

Collects and reports data primarily in numerical form

Question 19

Content Analysis

Answer 19

Systematic coding and objective recording of data, guided by some rationale

Question 20

Verstehen

Answer 20

understanding; insight

Question 21

Common Sense and usefulness

Answer 21

-Do not accept something as fact because “everyone knows it.”
-Information must be tested and analyzed.

Question 22

Disciplines in Social Sciences

Answer 22

-Sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, economics, and history

Question 23

Purpose of theories

Answer 23

-Help explain social behavior and guide research

Question 24

Key sociological figures and contribution.

Answer 24

-Emile Durkheim: Studied social integration and anomie.
-Auguste Comte: Coined the term sociology and promoted positivism.
-Karl Marx: Analyzed class struggle and capitalism.
- W.E.B. DuBois: Focused on race and social justice.
- Max Weber: Developed the ideal type and studied bureaucracy.
-Robert Merton: Introduced manifest and latent functions
- Herbert Spencer: Applied evolutionary theory to society

Question 25

Sociological Perspectives

Answer 25

-Functionalist: Society is a complex system with interdependent parts - Conflict: Society is constructed through everyday interactions -Feminist: Examines gender inequalities in society

Question 26

Scientific Method importance

Answer 26

-Ensures objectivity, accuracy, and reproducibility in research

Question 27

-Correlation

Answer 27

- Relationship between two variables.

Question 28

Literature review

Answer 28

-summary of existing research

Question 29

Control variables

Answer 29

- Factors that are kept constant to prevent them from influencing the dependent variable

Question 30

Value neutrality

Answer 30

- Principle that sociologist should remain unbiased and objective in their research.

Question 31

Limitation of surveys

Answer 31

-Potential bias, response rates, difficulty in capturing deep insights.

Question 32

Secondary analysis

Answer 32

- Cost- effective, large datasets.

Question 33

Hawthorne experiment

Answer 33

- Study conducted at Western electric, which revealed worker productivity increased when they felt observed.

Question 34

When would research be published?

Answer 34

When it meets academic standards