midterm extra Flashcards
why do sociologists use theories paradigms and concepts?
to better understand, explain, and analyze social behavior and structures.
____________ was interested in the struggles of workers in the industrial economy and worked within a conflict paradigm
karl marx
who is john porter?
known for his analysis of Canadian social class and ethnic inequality in The Vertical Mosaic.
___________ is an american socio-legal scholar working within a feminist perspective who developed the intersectionality approach to social research
kimberlé crenshaw
what is data and why is it so important to sociologists
Data: Facts, figures, and information collected for analysis.
Importance to Sociologists: Helps test theories, identify social patterns, and make informed conclusions about society.
who is dorothy smith
canadian sociologist, argued that research aren’t neutral or unbiased but influenced by their positionality
what does it mean to be an insider?
being a member of the social group or community being studied
what does it mean to be an outsider?
being a member of a different social group or community than the one being studied
what are the benefits of being an insider?
allows for a deeper level of trust with participants, which can lead to more honest and detailed data. For example, a researcher studying an ethnic community may have shared cultural practices and values, to gain more insights into the community’s social dynamics.
what are the benefits of being an outsider?
offers the ability to analyze the group without personal biases or preconceived notions. For example, a researcher from a different cultural background studying a minority group may bring fresh perspectives and be more likely to ask questions that insiders might overlook.
what are the challenges of being an insider?
can lead to biases and challenges in maintaining objectivity, as personal connections to the group may make it difficult to critically assess its dynamics.
what are the challenges of being an outsider?
can make it difficult to gain trust and access to the group, as participants may be hesitant to share personal or sensitive information with someone they perceive as unfamiliar.
how does a researcher collect info using the method of participation observation?
A researcher collects information through participant observation by actively engaging in the group’s activities while observing and recording the behaviors and interactions of its members.
two properties of cultural artifacts that make them appropriate for content analysis
are their ability to represent symbolic meaning and their permanence, allowing for systematic examination over time.
how does the federal gov collect info about canadian population? what does i use this info for?
through national surveys conducted by Statistics Canada. This info is used for policy-making, resource allocation, economic planning, and understanding demographic trends to guide social programs and services.
how are relationships between variables described
how one variable may influence or relate to another; for example, a study might show a positive correlation between education level and income.
two measures of central tendency
the mean and the median. The mean is most appropriate when calculating the average income in a population, while the median is like determining the middle income in a region where a few very high incomes exist.
what is primary socialization?
early life. usually it’s your home where you internalize family behaviour, culture, etc.
what is secondary socialization?
during adolescence and adulthood, adapting to schools, workplaces etc.
what are the conditions for the process of resocialization?
involve a person undergoing a major life change or entering a new social environment where old behaviors are replaced by new norms, often through structured or intensive experiences.
describe an example of involuntary resocialization
when an individual is sent to prison, where they are required to adapt to strict rules and new social norms that differ from their previous life.
describe an agent of socialization using an example from your own experience
like family, influences an individual’s beliefs and behaviors, such as how my parents instilled values of respect and responsibility in me growing up.
what does it mean that culture is contested?
when different groups within society have conflicting beliefs, values, or interpretations of cultural norms; for example, debates over the appropriateness of certain historical monuments reflect differing cultural perspectives on history and identity.
describe the relationship between the dominant culture, counter and sub.
The dominant culture represents the mainstream values and norms, while countercultures actively oppose or challenge these norms, and subcultures exist within the dominant culture but maintain distinct values; for example, mainstream society’s values of consumerism may be opposed by environmentalist countercultures and embraced by eco-conscious subcultures.
