Sociology Test 2 Flashcards
(34 cards)
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of the lives and cultures of human beings, alive or dead. It is the study of cultural factors – the arts, beliefs, habits, institutions, and other
endeavors; characteristics of specific communities, societies, or nations.
Cultural anthropologists
live within a society to observe behavior in its natural setting
and to record descriptive anecdotal evidence.
Sociology
Sociology explains the behavior of individuals as they interact in social groups, such
as in family settings and in differently organized communities.
Sociological studies
are more concerned with the patterns of behavior observed in
large numbers of people or groups rather than with the behavior of individuals.
Psychology
Psychology is the study of behavior based on mental processes. Its focus is how the individual thinks.
Psychologists
use an understanding of mental processes and the characteristic
patterns of motivation that they call the personality to explain individual behavior.
Social Science 4 Questions
What happens?
How does it happen?
Why does it happen?
How can people change what happens?
Theory and Facts
-A theory is a framework used to organize and explain observable evidence.
-A theory needs facts to back it up.
-Gathering information needs a theory to make use of it.
What is theory
-Theories are essential tools when conducting research. Should be suited to the task and used appropriately.
-Theory refers to positions and ideas intended to explain something.
Theoretical Perspective
-Identifies a point of view based on a specific theory.
-An understanding of individuals and families requires factual evidence organized from a specific theoretical perspective.
Macro Vs Micro Perspectives
Macro theories study the interaction between society and institutions such as the law, family, and politics, etc.
Micro theories emphasize the relationships within individual families.
Status
A specific position within a social group
Role
Set of behaviors that an individual is expected to demonstrate within a status
Norms
The most prevalent behavior that occurs; consistent behavior.
Double Standards
Biases that apply different standards for evaluating the behavior of men and women.
Androcentricity
A bias that assumes male experience is human experience and therefore also applies to women.
Normative Events
The predictable events in life that require a developmental change in behavior.
Structural Functionalism
The oldest sociological theory is also used by anthropologists. The structure that shapes society; how do we function; macro approach.
Takes a macro approach, a broad focus on social structures that shape society.
Functionalists believe that everything and everybody in society has a function that makes society run smoothly. (Everyone has a role to maintain).
The roles are all interdependent. Social change can upset the balance in society.
Systems Theory
It examines how family members interact as a system, a set of different parts that work together & influence one another, the goal is to maintain stability.
Family systems have complex organizations.
A change in one member causes changes in all members.
Each subsystem (family, interpersonal, personal) has its own rule and characteristics.
Members are added through birth, adoption, cohabitation, or marriage & can only leave by divorce, separation, or death.
Symbolic Interactionism Theory (Charles Cooley Involved)
Processes of perception and interpretation in determining behavior
Look at how individuals behave based on their perceptions of themselves and others.
It is this meaning that matters, not the social facts.
Individuals develop a two-part “self”:
“Me” ( qualities, concrete things ie. tall, teacher, athlete)
“I “(subjective awareness of self, interpretation of feedback ie, shy, bad teacher, good athlete)
Effective Interaction
Effective interaction requires communication using a common language, shared symbols.
Social Exchange Theory
Making choices based on costs & benefits. (It is reciprocal).
Maximize benefits (physical/emotional security, access to goods & services, social approval) and minimize costs (providing the aforementioned).
Individuals know what they have to offer & what they need.
Social roles are stable when the exchange is equal; benefits = costs
Benefits & costs are based on perceptions, not facts.
Family Life Cycle “Life Course” Theory
Look at the behavior demonstrated by individuals or families at various stages.
Examines the biological, psychological and social & cultural factors that influence development.
Stages are marked by normative events: life, marriage, the birth of children etc.
Some families will face non-normative events (death of a child, that will present unique challenges).
