Ch 8.1-8.2 Flashcards
(250 cards)
society
defined as agroup of poeple who share a culture and live and interact with each other within a definable area
sociology
attempts to understand behavior of groups
study of how inds interact wth shape and are subsequently shaped by the society where they live
macrosociologists
interested in large scale structural considerations
macro theories focus
on effects on structures on individual actions: interests include mechanisms thru which structures explain patterns of behavior
microsociologists
interested in small scale individual considerations
micro therories focus
effects of individuals on social struture
include mechanism s thru which millions of individual interactions create an overall social impression
three classical perspectives
functionalist
conflict
interactionist
four modern or recent perspectives
feminist, social constructionist, rational choice, social exchange theories
functionalism
one of the oldest main theories
view that conceptualizes society as a living organism with many diff parts and organs each with diff purpose
functionalist approach focuses on
social functions of diff structures by seeing what they contribute to society at large
ex lungs contribute the exchange of air to body
social structures work together to sustain society in a similar way
Emmile durkheim
father of sociology
pioneer of modern social research
seperate from psychology and political pilosophy
Durkheim believed
modern societies were more complex than primitive societies where people might be held together because they were all quite similar, sharing common language, values and symbols
Durkheim and modern society
poeple might be quite dissimilar relied upon each other to make society function
complex societies involved many different ut interdependent parts working together to maintain stability a type of dynamic equilibrium
dynamic equilibrium
exists once a reversible reaction ceases to change its ratio of reactants/products, but substances move between the chemicals at an equal rate, meaning there is no net change
Durkheim healthy societies
would be able to achieve and maintain this equilibrium , unhealthy ones would not
Durkheim view of society
society should always be viewed holistically - as collective of social facts rather than individuals
social facts
elements that serve some function in society such as laws, morals, values, rreligions, customs, rituals and rules that make up a society
manifest functions
intended and obvious consequences of a structure
latent functions
are unintended or less recognizable consequences
can be considered beneficial neutral or harmful
manifest functions ex
hospital manifest function may be to promote helath in populace
latent function: reduce crime by creating more jobs in community
social dysfunction
process that has been undesirable consequences, may actually reduce stability of society
ex social dysfucntion
hospital may also increase an income gap between medical professionals in the commuicty and others or create racial tensions thru unfair hiring practices
functionalism popularity
prevailing in 1950s
1960s and 70s unable to account for many rapid sociological advances
conflict theory
society as competition for limited resources
society is a place where there will be inequality in resources therefoe individuals will compete for social ppolitical and material resources like mone land power and leisure