intro Vocabulary

Question 1

functionalist perspective

Answer 1

The Sociological approach that views society as a stable, orderly system.

Question 2

Anomie

Answer 2

Durkheim’s designation for a condition in which social control becomes ineffective as a result of the loss of shared values and of a sense of purpose in society.

Question 3

Experiment

Answer 3

A research method involving a carefully designed situation in which the researcher studies the impact of certain variables on subjects’ attitudes or behavior

Question 4

Quantitative research

Answer 4

Sociological research methods that are based on the goal of scientific objectivity and that focus on data that can be measured numerically.

Question 5

Qualitative research

Answer 5

Sociological research methods that use interpretive description (words) rather than statistics (numbers to analyze underlying meanings and patterns of social relationship.

Question 6

Sociology

Answer 6

The systematic study of human society and social interaction

Question 7

Macro Level analysis

Answer 7

An approach that examines whole societies, large scale structures and social system.

Question 8

Micro Level analysis

Answer 8

Sociological theory and research that focus on small groups rather than on large scale social structures.

Question 9

Theory

Answer 9

A set logically interrelated statements that attempts to describe, explain, and predict social events.

Question 10

Survey

Answer 10

A poll in which the researcher gathers facts or attempts to determine the relationship among facts

Question 11

Experimental group

Answer 11

In an experiment, the group that contains the subjects who are exposed to an independent variable (the experiment condition) to study its effect on them.

Question 12

Conflict perspectives

Answer 12

The sociological approach that views groups in society as engaged in a continuous power struggle for the control of scarce resources

Question 13

Symbolic interactionist perspective

Answer 13

The sociological approach that views society as the sum of interactions of individuals and groups

Question 14

Independent variable

Answer 14

In an experiment, the variable assumed to be the cause of the relationship between variables

Question 15

dependent variable

Answer 15

In an experiment, the variable assumed to be caused by the independent variables

Question 16

correlation

Answer 16

A relationship that exists when two variables are associated more frequently than could be expected by chance

Question 17

Positivism

Answer 17

A term describing comet’s belief that the world can best be understood through scientific inquiry

Question 18

Validity

Answer 18

In sociological research, the extent to which a study or research instrument accurately measures what it is supposed to measure.

Question 19

Social darwinism

Answer 19

Spencer’s belief that those species of animals, including human beings, best adapted to their environment survive and prosper, whereas the poorly adapted die out

Question 20

Content analysis

Answer 20

The systematic examination of cultural artifacts or various forms of communication to extract thematic data and draw conclusions about social life

Question 21

Hypothesis

Answer 21

A statement of the expected relationship between two or more variables

Question 22

Secondary analysis

Answer 22

A research method in which researchers use existing material and analysis data that were originally collected by others.

Question 23

Research methods

Answer 23

Specific strategies or techniques for systematically conducting research.

Question 24

Control group

Answer 24

In an experiment, the group that contains the subjects who are not exposed to the independent variables.

Question 25

Reliability

Answer 25

IN sociological research, the extent to which a study or research instrument yields consistent results when applied to different individuals at one time or to the same individuals over time.

Question 26

Social facts

Answer 26

Durkheim’s term for patterned way of acting, thinking, and feeling that exist outside any one individual but that exert social control over each person

Question 27

Manifest functions

Answer 27

Functions that are intended and/or overtly recognized by the participants on a social unit

Question 28

Latent functions

Answer 28

Unintended functions that are hidden and remain unacknowledged by participants

Question 29

Variable

Answer 29

In Sociological research, any concept with measurable traits or characteristics that can change or vary from one person, time, situation, or society to another

Question 30

Interview

Answer 30

A research method using a data-collection encounter in which an interviewer asks the respondent questions and records the answers