Chapter 1

Question 1

What is Sociology?

Answer 1

the study of human behaviour in social context.

Question 2

What was Emile Durkheim’s theory of suicide?

Answer 2

Argued that suicide rates varied because of differences in degree of social solidarity in different categories of the population.

Question 3

Social Solidarity is…

Answer 3

a) the degree to which members of a group share beliefs and values.
b) the intensity and frequency of their interaction

Question 4

What are the 3 levels of social structure?

Answer 4

Microstructures: Face to face interactions
Macrostructures: Outside and above one’s acquaintances (education system)
Global Structures: International Organizations

Question 5

Values

Answer 5

What is good and bad, right and wrong.

Question 6

Theory

Answer 6

an explanation of some aspects social life that states how and why certain facts are related.

Question 7

Who’s theory of suicide is an early example of what sociologist now call Functionalism?

Answer 7

Emile Durkheim

Question 8

What is Functionalism?

Answer 8

stresses that human behaviour is governed by relatively stable social structures. Underlines how social structures maintain or undermine social stability.

Question 9

What is the conflict theory and who created it?

Answer 9

Karl Marx
Conflict theory focuses on large macro level structures. Shows how patterns of inequality produce social stability in some circumstances, social change in others, and often destablization.