Module 1 Flashcards
(31 cards)
What is sociology?
Study of social interaction done through scientific track
Considered a soft science because it is not strictly based on quantity. It can be qualitative.
What is the goal of sociology?
Making the familiar strange
Examines the ordinary and questions what we can learn from the natural order of things.
What is the difference between public issues and private issues?
Public issues affect many individuals; private issues affect individuals due to personal and moral mistakes
Public issues can become private troubles and vice versa, as illustrated by the Sociological Imagination.
Who is Charles Wright Mills?
A Marxist and radical thinker known for his work on Sociological Imagination
His work helps understand the relationship between individual problems and public issues.
Define agency in sociology.
Individual choices from their freewill
Represents the self-determination aspect of behavior.
Define structure in sociology.
Cultural and structural influences in decision making
Represents the external factors affecting individual behavior.
What is ascribed status?
Position held involuntarily or by birth
Example: A person born into poverty may remain in that status due to societal structures.
What is achieved status?
Position earned through individual choices
Example: Climbing the corporate ladder to achieve a higher job role.
What is social stratification?
Hierarchical system according to status and categories by people
Categories can include gender, ethnicity, and class.
What are social roles?
Parts people play as members of a group
Each role comes with expectations based on group dynamics.
What are social norms?
Unwritten rules about how to behave
Transmitted from one generation to another, shaping societal behavior.
Why study gender in sociology?
To understand how society influences perceptions of appropriate behavior for men and women
Examines the power relationships that shape gender order over time.
What is Functionalist Theory?
Society is interrelated and works together for stability
Gender roles contribute to the stability of society.
What is Conflict Theory?
Society is grouped by competition, with groups striving for dominance
Men attempt to maintain power over women, affecting family structures.
What is Symbolic Interactionism?
Understanding the relationship between humans and society through symbols
Gender is viewed as a social construct influenced by communication.
What do feminist theories emphasize?
Gender positions of women and men in society
They seek to address injustices faced by women due to societal expectations.
What are the three theories on gender development?
Biological Theories, Developmental Theories, Cultural Theories
Each theory provides a different perspective on how gender roles are formed.
What do biological theories of gender suggest?
Inherent biological characteristics distinguish the sexes
Differences may be found in brain anatomy and hormonal influences.
What is Evolutionary Psychology?
Gender differences traced back to roles during human evolution
Men as hunters and women as gatherers illustrate historical behavioral patterns.
What does brain research reveal about gender?
Differences in left and right hemisphere development
Men are often more analytical while women may excel in creative tasks.
What are sex hormones’ roles in gender differences?
Affect behavioral and cognitive differences
Chromosomes and hormones like testosterone and estrogen play key roles.
True or False: Genes dictate behavior.
False
Individuals can make diverse choices beyond genetic predispositions.
Who stated that ‘one is not born but rather becomes a woman’?
Simone de Beauvoir
This indicates that gender is acquired through socialization.
What does the statement ‘One is not born but rather becomes a woman’ imply about gender?
Gender is acquired through socialization processes
This perspective suggests that gender identity is shaped by societal influences rather than being an innate characteristic.
