Final Flashcards
(90 cards)
1
Q
What are the three main social sciences and their subfields?
A
Anthropology (Physical, Socio-cultural, Archeology, Linguistic), Psychology (Clinical, Experimental), Sociology (Macrosociology, Microsociology).
2
Q
What are the main schools of thought in Anthropology?
A
Cultural Materialism, Functionalism, Structuralism, Symbolic Interactionism.
3
Q
Name three psychological theories
A
Learning Theory, Behaviourism, Psychoanalytic Theory.
4
Q
What are the key schools of thought in Sociology?
A
Neo-Marxism/Conflict Theory, Feminist Theory, Inclusionism, Functionalism, Symbolic Interactionism.
5
Q
What is participant observation?
A
method in anthropology where the researcher lives among the people being studied to observe their daily lives and cultures.
6
Q
Define culture
A
The shared beliefs, practices, norms, values, and artifacts that members of a society use to cope with their world and each other.
7
Q
What are the four parts of culture?
A
Environment, Technology, Social Organization, Systems of Symbols.
8
Q
What is classical conditioning?
A
A type of learning where a stimulus comes to elicit a response after being paired with another stimulus.
9
Q
Define role conflict.
A
When a person is expected to fulfill two incompatible roles at the same time.
10
Q
What is confirmation bias?
A
The tendency to search for, interpret, and recall information in a way that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs.
11
Q
What are the five areas in the organization of society?
A
Politics, Economics, Infrastructure, Residence, Population.
12
Q
What are the five areas in beliefs/values of society?
A
Laws, Religion, Education, Morality, Ideology.
13
Q
What are the five areas in practices/behaviours of society?
A
Travel, Commuting, Communication, Social Interaction, Relationships.
14
Q
Name five theories of social change.
A
Evolutionary Theory, Cyclical Theory, Challenge and Response Theory, Functionalist Theory, Conflict Theory.
15
Q
What are the sources of change in anthropology?
A
Invention, Discovery, Diffusion, Acculturation, Enculturation, Directed Change.
16
Q
Name three catalysts for social change.
A
Leadership, Social Elites, Population Readiness.
17
Q
Name three impediments to social change.
A
Traditionalism, Power Maintains Status Quo, Lack of Education/Innovation.
18
Q
What is cognitive dissonance?
A
The psychological discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting beliefs or values.
19
Q
What is social constructionism?
A
A theory that suggests that many things we take for granted as natural or true are actually created through social processes.
20
Q
What is cultural capital?
A
Non-financial social assets, like education or intellect, that promote social mobility.
21
Q
What are Weber’s characteristics of charismatic leaders?
A
Large Vision, Magnetic Style, Popular Support, Supernatural Character.
22
Q
What is the singularity?
A
A future point where technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, resulting in unforeseeable changes to human civilization.
23
Q
What are pros and cons of drones?
A
Surveillance, Delivery, Safety; Cons: Privacy issues, Security risks.
24
Q
What is systemic discrimination?
A
Discrimination that is built into the policies and practices of social institutions.
25
What is intersectionality?
The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, regarded as creating overlapping systems of discrimination or disadvantage.
26
What are the four measurements of gender equality?
Participation, Access to Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, Political Empowerment.
27
What is cultural hegemony?
The dominance of one social class’s worldview as the accepted cultural norm.
28
What is outsourcing?
Obtaining goods or services from an outside or foreign supplier, often to cut costs.
29
What is collective bargaining?
Negotiation between employers and a group of employees aimed at reaching agreements to regulate working conditions.
30
The Tipping Point (Malcolm Gladwell, 2000)
Explores how small, well-timed changes can spark massive societal shifts. Key idea: "social epidemics" spread when a few key influencers (Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen) interact with a receptive population. Useful for applying the Catalyst and Population Readiness models.
31
A Study of Muslim Women
Examines how Muslim women navigate Western stereotypes and media representation. Uses ethnographic interviews and surveys to explore how identity is shaped by cultural resistance and reinterpretation of Islamic values in diaspora communities.
32
Bystander Effect (Darley & Latané, 1968)
Sparked by the 1964 murder of Kitty Genovese. Tested how the presence of others reduces the likelihood of helping behavior. Found that individuals are less likely to intervene in a crisis when others are present—due to diffusion of responsibility.
33
Change Blindness Experiments (Simons & Levin, 1998)
Demonstrated that people often fail to notice major changes in their environment. Used visual tricks (like swapping a person mid-conversation) to test perception. Supports theories of cognitive dissonance and limited attention.
34
Little Albert Experiment (Watson & Rayner, 1920)
Classical conditioning study where a child was conditioned to fear white rats by pairing them with loud noises. Shows how fear can be learned and generalized.
35
Bobo Doll Experiment (Albert Bandura, 1961)
Tested how children imitate aggression. After observing an adult act violently toward a doll, children replicated the behavior. Demonstrated observational learning and the influence of role models.
36
Game Theory (Nash Equilibrium)
Mathematical framework used to understand decision-making in situations of conflict and cooperation. Common in economics and political science; helps explain social behavior during negotiations and group strategy.
37
Boston Marathon Bombing (2013)
Terrorist attack by the Tsarnaev brothers. Showed how public trauma, surveillance technology, and mass media shape national responses to crises.
38
Occupy Movement (2011)
A global protest against economic inequality and corporate influence on democracy. Notable for its slogan “We are the 99%” and use of public spaces and social media. Demonstrates grassroots organizing and conflict theory in action.
39
Residential Schools in Canada (1831–1996)
System where Indigenous children were forcibly removed from families and placed in institutions designed to assimilate them. Resulted in severe cultural loss and abuse. Demonstrates systemic discrimination and intergenerational trauma.
40
Racial Integration (USA, post-1954)
Refers to desegregation efforts following Brown v. Board of Education. Major shift in social policy, often resisted. Highlights institutional racism and social movements.
41
The Famous Five (1929)
Canadian women (e.g., Nellie McClung) who fought in the “Persons Case” so women could be appointed to the Senate. A landmark moment for gender equality and legal reform in Canada.
42
Aftermath of 9/11 (2001)
Sparked global security changes, increased surveillance (e.g., PATRIOT Act), and Islamophobia. Used to examine fear-driven change, policy evolution, and social cohesion/disunity.
43
Stanford Prison Experiment (Philip Zimbardo, 1971)
Simulated a prison environment where participants adopted abusive roles quickly. Showed how social roles and power dynamics can override personal morals. Criticized for ethical issues.
44
Festinger’s Cognitive Dissonance Experiment (1957)
Participants did a boring task, then were paid $1 or $20 to lie and say it was fun. Those paid less felt more discomfort, supporting the theory that people adjust beliefs to match behavior.
45
Violence in India
Investigates communal violence (e.g., Hindu-Muslim riots), showing how religious and ethnic tensions are exacerbated by political manipulation and colonial legacies.
46
Social Change in Qatar
Highlights the rapid modernization of Qatar through technology and economic growth. Discusses tension between traditional Islamic values and global influences like Western education.
47
Asch’s Conformity Experiment (1951)
Participants conformed to obviously incorrect group answers about line lengths. Demonstrated the power of group pressure and normative social influence.
48
9/11 Crisis and Change
Shows how traumatic events can accelerate systemic change. Examples: TSA, global surveillance, anti-terror laws. Connects with Challenge and Response theory.
49
Arab Spring (2010–2012)
Series of revolutions in North Africa and the Middle East sparked by economic despair and political repression. Demonstrated role of youth, social media, and collective resistance.
50
Why Selfies Matter
Explores selfies as self-expression and identity formation. Considers gender, validation, and performativity. Useful in analyzing symbolic interactionism.
51
Inappropriate Selfies
Examines risks of self-objectification and the role of social media in shaping youth behavior and norms.
52
Black Mirror: Nosedive (2016)
Fictional dystopia where people's social ranking affects all life opportunities. Satirizes conformity, social media obsession, and surveillance capitalism.
53
Tiananmen Square (Beijing, 1989)
Pro-democracy student protest brutally suppressed by Chinese military. Showed authoritarian control and the limits of resistance under dictatorship.
54
Umbrella Movement (Hong Kong, 2014)
Youth-led protest demanding electoral freedom. Used umbrellas as symbols of peaceful resistance. Connects to theories of generational change and collective action.
55
TV Series: Upload (2020)
A satirical vision of digital afterlife and class inequality in tech-controlled futures. Raises questions about AI, identity, and ethics.
56
In Drones We Trust
Documentary exploring normalization of drones in warfare and policing. Discusses ethical implications and desensitization to surveillance.
57
Elevation Documentary
A short film on how digital tools both empower and isolate. Examines tech’s role in mental health, social connection, and inequality.
58
Drones and Delivery Systems
Explores how Amazon and others are transforming logistics with drone delivery. Raises privacy and labor displacement concerns.
59
Gattaca (1997)
Sci-fi film depicting a future where genetic engineering determines one’s social class. Explores ethics of genetic manipulation, eugenics, and meritocracy.
60
Michael Brown Shooting (Ferguson, 2014)
Police shooting of unarmed Black teen. Sparked global Black Lives Matter protests. Showed systemic racism and police militarization.
61
Discrimination in Uganda
Examines state-sanctioned homophobia and persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals. Highlights the intersection of politics, religion, and human rights.
62
Invictus (2009)
Film about Nelson Mandela using rugby to unite post-apartheid South Africa. Shows reconciliation, symbolic leadership, and cultural healing.
63
Coded Bias (2020)
Documentary exposing racial and gender bias in AI and facial recognition tech. Highlights lack of regulation and tech ethics.
64
White Privilege (Peggy McIntosh, 1988)
Essay listing invisible advantages held by white individuals in daily life. A foundational text for understanding systemic privilege.
65
Unpacking the Invisible Backpack
Part of McIntosh’s essay that outlines the everyday tools of privilege, like not being racially profiled or fearing police.
66
The Danger of a Single Story (TED Talk, 2009)
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie argues that stereotypes arise from hearing only one narrative. Encourages multiplicity of voices and perspectives.
67
Why I’m Not Really Here
Personal essay exploring racial microaggressions and feeling invisible in predominantly white spaces. Ties to intersectionality and systemic exclusion.
68
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Traditional but harmful practice rooted in cultural beliefs about purity and control. Considered a human rights violation by the UN.
69
The True Cost (2015)
Documentary on the fast fashion industry’s exploitation of workers and environmental destruction. Focuses on global inequality, labor, and consumer ethics.
70
Define Functionalism (Anthropology or Sociology).
A theory that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability. Each part of society has a function (e.g., family, religion, education) that contributes to social equilibrium.
71
Define Cultural Materialism.
A theory in anthropology that emphasizes the material aspects of culture (such as technology and environment) as key influences on social structures and ideas.
72
Define Structuralism.
An anthropological theory that looks at the underlying structures of human thought (like binary oppositions) and how they shape culture and society.
73
Define Symbolic Interactionism.
A theory that focuses on how people interact using symbols (like language, gestures) and how these create social reality.
74
Define Learning Theory.
A psychological theory that explains behavior through conditioning and reinforcement — people learn from their environment.
75
Define Behaviourism.
A theory in psychology that focuses on observable behaviors and how they're learned through interactions with the environment (e.g., rewards and punishments).
76
Define Psychoanalytic Theory.
A theory developed by Freud that emphasizes unconscious motivations, early childhood experiences, and internal conflicts.
77
What are the key schools of thought in Sociology?
Neo-Marxism/Conflict Theory, Feminist Theory, Inclusionism, Functionalism, Symbolic Interactionism.
78
Define Conflict Theory.
A theory that views society as made up of groups in conflict over resources and power. Social change happens through struggle.
79
Define Feminist Theory.
A theory that examines gender inequalities in society and the ways institutions and culture maintain male dominance.
80
Define Inclusionism.
A sociological perspective that focuses on incorporating marginalized or underrepresented groups into mainstream society.
81
Define Confirmation Bias.
The tendency to favor information that confirms your existing beliefs and to ignore or undervalue evidence that contradicts them
82
Define Determinism.
The belief that behavior is shaped by forces beyond the individual’s control, such as biology or social structure.
83
Define Materialism.
The view that material conditions (such as economy or environment) are the foundation upon which societies are built and changed.
84
Define Social Order.
The set of linked social structures, institutions, and practices that maintain stability and predictability in society.
85
Define Anomie.
A state of normlessness or breakdown in social norms, often occurring during periods of rapid change.
86
Define Cognitive Dissonance.
The mental discomfort experienced when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs or values.
87
Define Cultural Hegemony.
A concept by Gramsci that describes how the ruling class maintains power by spreading its worldview so it becomes the accepted cultural norm.
88
Define Cultural Capital.
The non-financial assets (like education, language, style) that promote social mobility.
89
Define Total Institutions.
Institutions (like prisons, military, or residential schools) where people are isolated and controlled to reshape behavior.
90
Define Social Constructionism.
A theory that many things we consider “natural” or “real” are actually created through shared social agreements and interactions.
