Study Guide SOC 200 (9/28) Flashcards
(129 cards)
Auguste Comte
“father of sociology”
-scientific method to the study of society
Emile Durkheim
-one of the founding figures of modern sociology, alongside Max Weber and Karl Marx
-social integration and social solidarity
-connection between social factors and individual behavior
-empirical research and statistical analysis in sociology
-functionalist perspective->how different parts of society contribute to its stability and function
William Chambliss
-labeling theory–> a sociological perspective that examines how societal reactions, particularly labeling individuals as deviant or criminal, can influence their subsequent behavior
-importance of social structure and power dynamics in understanding criminal behavior and societal reactions to it
Ervin Goffman
-Dramaturgical theory–>likens social life to a theatrical performance
-Presentation of self –> “front stage” (public persona) and “backstage” (private self) to explain how people manage their self-presentation
-concept of stigma and how individuals with stigmatized attributes navigate social interactions.
-importance of symbols, language, and interactions in shaping social reality
Richard Quinney
-important in the field of critical criminology
-made contributions to labeling theory, which explores how the labeling of individuals as deviant or criminal can have significant consequences for their social identity and future behavior.
-Conflict Theory: posits that society is characterized by conflict and competition over resources and power.
-advocated for social justice and the reform of the criminal justice system
Karl Marx
-a revolutionary thinker, economist, and philosopher whose ideas have had a profound and lasting impact on the fields of sociology, economics, and political theory. He is best known for his role as the co-author of “The Communist Manifesto” and for his development of Marxist theory, which laid the intellectual foundation for modern communism and socialism.
-Marx’s work focused on analyzing the dynamics of capitalism and class struggle. He argued that in a capitalist society, the working class (proletariat) was exploited by the owning class (bourgeoisie) and that this exploitation would eventually lead to a proletarian revolution and the establishment of a classless, communist society.
Max Weber
-His work continues to be influential in a wide range of academic disciplines, and his ideas on rationalization, bureaucracy, and the intersection of culture, religion, and economics have enduring relevance in the social sciences and beyond. Max Weber is considered one of the founding figures of sociology and a key thinker in the development of modern social theory.
Ida Wells-Barnet
-African American journalist, civil rights activist, and anti-lynching crusader who made significant contributions to the civil rights movement and the fight against racial injustice. She is known for her unwavering commitment to racial equality and social justice.
Jane Adams
-American social reformer, sociologist, and the co-founder of Hull House, a renowned settlement house in Chicago. She is known for her significant contributions to the fields of social work and sociology, as well as her advocacy for social justice and women’s rights.
W.E.B. du Bois
-African American sociologist, civil rights activist, and intellectual who made significant contributions to the fields of sociology, civil rights, and racial justice. He was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and a vocal advocate for civil rights, racial equality, and social justice.
Edwin Sutherland
–American criminologist known for his significant contributions to the field of criminology, particularly for developing the theory of differential association. This theory posits that criminal behavior is learned through social interactions with others who hold pro-criminal attitudes and values. Sutherland’s work challenged earlier criminological theories that focused solely on individual characteristics and biological factors, emphasizing the importance of socialization, peer influence, and cultural context in understanding criminal behavior. His ideas have had a profound and lasting impact on the study of criminology and have influenced the development of sociological theories of crime and deviance.
individuals learn criminal behavior – cultural transmission
Charles Horton Cooley
-American sociologist known for his significant contributions to the fields of symbolic interactionism and social psychology. He is perhaps best known for his concept of the “looking glass self,” which emphasizes how individuals develop their self-concept through their perceptions of how others view them. Cooley’s work highlighted the importance of social interaction and communication in shaping individuals’ identities and understanding of themselves in relation to society. His ideas have had a lasting impact on the study of social psychology and the examination of how the social environment influences self-perception and social behavior.
George Herbert Mead
-American philosopher and sociologist known for his significant contributions to the fields of social psychology, symbolic interactionism, and the philosophy of pragmatism. His work focused on the development of self and socialization, emphasizing the role of language, communication, and social interaction in shaping individuals’ identities and understanding of the world. Mead’s ideas laid the foundation for symbolic interactionism, a sociological perspective that examines how individuals construct meaning and reality through their interactions with others. His work has had a lasting impact on social theory, psychology, and communication studies, influencing our understanding of the self, society, and human behavior.
Clay Shirky
-American writer, consultant, and professor known for his significant contributions to the fields of media, technology, and the internet. His work has focused on the social and economic implications of digital technologies and their impact on communication, collaboration, and collective action. Shirky’s insights on how the internet and social media have transformed the way people interact, share information, and mobilize for social and political causes have been influential in discussions about the digital age and its effects on society. His books, including “Here Comes Everybody” and “Cognitive Surplus,” have been widely read and discussed, contributing to our understanding of the digital revolution and its broader societal implications.
-media, tech, internet
Ferdinand Tönnies
-most notable work, “Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft” (Community and Society), explored the contrast between two ideal types of social organization: Gemeinschaft, representing traditional, close-knit, and community-based societies, and Gesellschaft, representing modern, impersonal, and urban societies. Tönnies’ concepts have had a lasting influence on the fields of sociology and anthropology, providing valuable insights into the nature of social relationships, social change, and the transformation of communities in the modern world. His work continues to be referenced in discussions of social structure and societal transformation.
Gerhard Lenski
Gerhard Lenski focused on the level of technology to understand how society is organized.
* Hunting-and-gathering
* Horti-cultural
* Agrarian
* Industrial
* Post-industrial
Travis Hirschi
-American sociologist known for his significant contributions to the field of criminology and social control theory. His most notable work, “Social Bond Theory” or the “Social Control Theory,” examined the factors that prevent individuals from engaging in delinquent or criminal behavior. Hirschi proposed that strong social bonds, including attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief in conventional values, serve as protective factors against deviance and crime. His theory has had a profound impact on the study of criminal behavior and continues to be influential in criminology research, emphasizing the importance of social relationships and societal bonds in preventing criminal activities.
Henri Tajfel
-social psychologist known for his significant contributions to the study of intergroup relations and social identity theory. His research focused on understanding how people categorize themselves and others into social groups, and how these group identities can lead to prejudice, discrimination, and intergroup conflict. Tajfel’s work laid the foundation for our understanding of how individuals derive a sense of self and belonging from their group memberships, and how these identities can impact behavior and attitudes towards members of other groups. His research has had a lasting impact on the fields of social psychology and sociology, particularly in the study of prejudice, identity, and group dynamics.
-social identity
-implications of group identity–> prejudice, discrimination and intergroup conflict
Pierre Bourdieu
-focused on understanding how social structures and cultural capital influence individuals’ behaviors, preferences, and opportunities. Bourdieu introduced concepts like “habitus,” “field,” and “cultural capital” to analyze how social class, education, and cultural background shape people’s lives and choices. His ideas have had a profound impact on social theory, particularly in the study of social inequality, education, and cultural consumption, and continue to influence research in these areas.
How did Sociology as a discipline come into existence?
-industrial revolution
-french origin
- comte: “basic laws of society”
- durkheim: suicide research => soc as a discipline
-Martineau => English sociology; methods; inequality and power; activism
-analysis of social order and social inequality
What are the different steps in the research process and what are the parts of research design?
- Identifying the Research Problem:
Defining the research question or problem to be investigated.
Conducting a literature review to understand existing research on the topic.
2. Formulating Research Objectives or Hypotheses:
Setting clear objectives or hypotheses that guide the research.
3. Research Design:
Choosing the research approach (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods).
Selecting the research methods (surveys, experiments, interviews, observations, etc.).
Deciding on the research design (cross-sectional, longitudinal, or case study).
Determining the research scope (sampling strategy, population, and timeframe).
4. Data Collection:
Collecting data according to the chosen methods and design.
Ensuring data quality and reliability.
5. Data Analysis:
Analyzing and processing collected data using appropriate statistical or qualitative techniques.
Drawing conclusions based on the analysis.
6. Interpretation of Findings:
Interpreting the results in the context of the research objectives or hypotheses.
Discussing the implications of the findings.
7. Drawing Conclusions:
Summarizing the key findings and their significance.
Reflecting on the research’s contribution to the existing body of knowledge.
8. Reporting and Disseminating Results:
Writing a research report or paper.
Presenting the findings through conferences, journals, or other appropriate channels.
9. Taking Action or Applying Findings:
Implementing recommendations or applying the research findings in practice, if applicable.
10. Review and Evaluation:
Reflecting on the research process and identifying areas for improvement.
Considering potential limitations and challenges faced during the study.
Thomas Theorem
-a sociological principle formulated by W. I. Thomas and Dorothy Swaine Thomas. It states that “If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.” In other words, the way individuals perceive and interpret a situation, even if those perceptions are based on misconceptions or false beliefs, can have significant real-world consequences for their behavior and actions. This principle underscores the idea that subjective interpretations and beliefs can shape human behavior and interactions, leading to outcomes that align with individuals’ perceptions of reality.
Sociological imagination
-explore the interdependent relationship between who we are as individuals and the social forces that shape our lives
-allows us to see the influence of social class, gender, race, etc. (positional categories)
Sociology
- Sociology is the systemic study of the relationship between the individual and society and of the consequences of difference.
-As a discipline is committed to investigate and understand the full scope of our interdependence. (e.g. Hamburger miracle)
-Tool to understand why we think and act the way we do (Wright Mills)