Intro to Sociology Flashcards
In sociology, sociologists study what?
They study:
Social Interaction
Human Behaviour
Society
How we interact with one another
Different levels of power
Different groups of people
Different label
Behaviors within different groups
What is sociology?
Sociology is the scientific study of people in groups. Specifically, it looks at the relationship between people and the social structures we develop because of these groups. By looking at the different actions and responses of individuals within groups, sociologists are better able to understand why people behave in certain ways. Sociologists also explore how belonging to different groups affects our experiences and shapes our perspectives.
What is the goal of sociology?
Understand and explain patterns of social behaviour. It is the study of life,social change, social causes and social behaviour.
Who were the original sociologist?
Ibn Khaldun & Auguste Comte
Who was Ibh Khaldun?
Khaldun is considered the forefather as his methods and observations when writing about the Muslim world in the 14th century would fall under sociology
His work is a record of the pre-modern world filled with observations about society and social conditions
He focused a lot on politics and law (striving for noble authority)
He also was a politician and diplomat for the Bedouin tribes in North Africa throughout history poets, artists, and scholars like Ibn Khaldun documented and recorded on political, economic, religious, and cultural practices of their society but of course, sociology came way later during the industrial revolution (18-19th centuries) With the industrial revolution came the class system (working class, child labor, etc)
Who is Auguste Comte?
French philosopher who first coined “sociology” defined it as the systematic study of society. He believed that society was constantly changing and individuals and groups struggled to adapt. But he also believed these changes benefitted society and the rest of the groups. He focused on inequality which influenced other key theorist such as Karl Marx. His early contribution to sociology included positivism
He also coined the term of altruism- people should live for the sake of others
What is Positivism?
The application of the scientific method to obtain quantifiable data in order to understand society
What do sociologists do now?
Observe and research key social issues & behaviors
Try to explain why society functions the way it does
Examine the cultural expression of a society - symbols, learned behaviors, norms etc
Try to pinpoint the norms, values & beliefs that have been accepted by members of a society
Compare societies to explain trends & behaviors
Sociologists must ask broad questions and look at different elements to make sense of them as a whole
Where do learned behaviors come from?
Learned behavior comes from the norms, values, and roles held by members of a particular society
What are values?
Shared ideas and standards that a society or a specific group considered acceptable and binding
What are norms?
Expectations about how people should behave in particular contexts
What is macrosociology?
Macrosociology takes a wide perspective and is concerned with studying society as a whole
Macro-Sociologists analyze social systems and populations on a LARGER scale
they examine larger social institutions that individuals belong to, such as a country or a place of worship
What is microsociology?
Microsociologists are interested in understanding the bases of social action and interaction among individuals members and their place in society
Micro-Sociology is concerned with the role and interactions an individual or small group of people may have in society
Looking at the more individual level
Instead of something large scale like “college students” they may examine a college students in a particular dorm & how they interact while doing something
