Sociology exam review

Question 1

School of thought: structural interactionism

individuals

Answer 1

• studies human interactions at micro level

- emphasizes individuals as they can relate to larger society and believe this is how we understand society

Question 2

School of thought: Weber

diverse

Answer 2

• structural functionalist

- believed society was becoming more diverse resulting in functional differentiation

Question 3

School of thought: Chicago school
(environment and structures)
(masks)

Answer 3

• physical environment and social structures shape behaviour
• Charles Cooley: individuals shape society and society shapes individuals
• George Mead: we create masks for situations

Question 4

School of thought: structural functionalism

define ourselves and controversy

Answer 4

• society is stable when all needs are met
• Durkheim: we define ourselves through social interactions
• Parsons: social phenomena shapes our society controversial

Question 5

School of thought: functional differentiation

Answer 5

• divisions created dealing w/ environment (roles)

Question 6

School of thought: feminist sociology

patriarchy

Answer 6

• examines gender inequality and how men have more control over women’s lives

Question 7

School of thought: conflict theory

competition

Answer 7

• Karl Marx

- competition btwn social groups for power

Question 8

Auguste Comte

Answer 8

• applied rational method to study of society and called this discipline sociology

Question 9

values

Answer 9

• shared ideas and standards of a society (equality)

Question 10

norms

Answer 10

• expected behaviour considered normal (cheering)

Question 11

roles

Answer 11

• expected behaviour of a person in a position (parent)

Question 12

objectivity

Answer 12

-

Question 13

universality

Answer 13

-

Question 14

socialization types
(4)

Answer 14

1. primary: basic necessities (emotions, language, etc)
2. secondary: how to function in groups (raising hand)
3. anticipatory: how to act accordingly (what to wear)
4. resocialization: changing a socialization (prison)

Question 15

agents of socialization:

7

Answer 15

1. family (primary): usually first socialization
2. school (secondary): teach formal rules
3. peer groups (secondary): chance to commit discouraged actions
4. media (secondary and anticipatory): impact life expectations
5. religion (secondary): influence community beliefs
6. workplace (secondary): teach workplace rules
7. total institutions (resocialization): get rid of bad behaviour

Question 16

types of groups

4

Answer 16

1. dyad- group of 2 (relationship)
2. informal- less intimate (neighbour)
3. primary- small influential groups (family)
4. secondary- large less intimate groups (community)

Question 17

Deviance

Answer 17

• behaviour going against societal norms describing destructive behaviour

Question 18

Strain Theory

Answer 18

• Robert Merton

- society causes deviancy: when people can’t meet goals they participate in deviant actions to reach them.

Question 19

alienation and the two types

Answer 19

• when people have unequal access of societal rewards
  1. micro: left out in friend group
  2. macro: LGBTQ+ community fighting for equality

Question 20

subcultures and countercultures

Answer 20

• sub: small group w/in society sharing values of larger culture but share common identities deviating from norms
• counter: deviantly oppose dominant culture and reject their values and norms

Question 21

collective and prosocial behaviour

Answer 21

• collective: behaviour of a large group not reflecting societal rules w/ no relation btw each other (isn’t unusual)
• prosocial: behaviours binding society together

Question 22

convergence and rational decision theory

Answer 22

• convergence: large group causes more people to join

- rational: deciding to join behaviour based on your threshold (high=no, low=yes)

Question 23

sanctions and conformity

Answer 23

• sanctions: reward/punishment encouraging or discouraging behaviour
• conformity: changing thoughts and beliefs to meet group expectations

Question 24

discrimination, stereotypes, and scapegoats

Answer 24

• discrimination: act of treating groups unfairly
• stereotype: exaggerated views about groups
• scapegoat: target for discrimination

Question 25

discrimination theories and ethnocentrism

Answer 25

• learned: learned through agents of socialization
• competition: protection of similar people and fear/blaming of others
• frustration: frustration w/ situations taking it out on others
• ignorance: lack of experience
• ethnocentrism: evaluating cultures based on your own personal views

Question 26

social identity

Answer 26

• how we identify in the word

- socialization is how we learn norms and identities

Question 27

role theory

Answer 27

• expectations of positions in society

Question 28

gender roles

Answer 28

• identities we take or believe in for a lifetime
• gender influenced by society and interactions
• sex is biological

Question 29

social institutions

Answer 29

• organizations functioning to meet societal needs by providing direction and principles