UNIT 1 (Intro, Sociological Concepts & Theories)

Question 1

What is a broad definition of “Sociology”?

Answer 1

the systemic study of human behaviour in a social context.

Question 2

Define “Social Structures”.

Answer 2

Relatively stable patterns of social relations

Question 3

Name the three levels of social structure.

Answer 3

1. Microstructures
2. Macrostructures
3. Global Structures

Question 4

Define the three levels of social structures in simple terms

Answer 4

Microstructures: Patterns of social relations made from FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTIONS
Macrostructures: Patterns of social relations above the individuals IMMEDIATE circle of people and acquaintances
Global structures: Patterns of social relations outside and above the NATIONAL level

Question 5

What is the “Sociological Imagination”

Answer 5

The ability to see the connections between personal troubles and social structures.

Question 6

Who was Augusta Compte

Answer 6

The “Originator” of sociology
He wanted to take the scientific method and use it to improve society

Question 7

What were the three revolutions that “Originated” the sociological revolution?

Answer 7

Scientific revolution
Democratic revolution
Industrial revolution

Question 8

How did the democratic revolution influence society?

Answer 8

The enlightenment allowed:

• thinking about social forms and arrangements, and how they change
  -Establish new forms of order
• Suggest people were responsible for creating society, and also capable for solving social problems

Question 9

How did the Industrial Revolution impact the origin of sociology?

Answer 9

It created a lot of misery and social problems in society

Question 10

What was Herbert Spencer’s main ideas?

Answer 10

• Social Darwinism
  _ Social inequalities were necessary for society to evolve
• Eugenics

Question 11

Define Social Darwinism

Answer 11

The belief that certain race is superior than the others, and that only the “Best” of them survive

Question 12

Why are sociologically proposed solutions not always the best for society?

Answer 12

Because there are tensions between the belief and importance of science VS. The vision of an ideal society
EX: Karl Marx —> Conflict Theory

Question 13

Define Theories

Answer 13

Tentative explanations of some aspect of social life that state how and why certain facts are related to

Question 14

What are the 2 “Levels” of theories? And Define them

Answer 14

1. Middle-Ground theories (Used to explain 1 single thing)
2. Grand theories (Used to describe why society is the way it is)

Question 15

Define “Research”

Answer 15

The process of systematically observing reality to assess the validity of a theory

Question 16

What are the two ways we conclude research?

Answer 16

1. Deduction (Have a theory, then try to prove it with data)
2. Induction (Have Data, try to prove or create a theory)

Question 17

Define “Values”

Answer 17

They are Ideas about what is good/bad or right/wrong

They help you favour certain sociological theories over others

Question 18

How was suicide studied before, and how is it studied now

Answer 18

Suicide was studied on the individuals state of mind, rather than the state of society
Durkheim studied how suicide effected people in certain social settings

Question 19

What did Emile Durkheim discover?

Answer 19

Suicide rates and rates of psychological disorder did not vary directly, and were even inversely related.

Question 20

What did Durkheim conclude from his studies?

Answer 20

Suicide rates varied as a difference in peoples degree in SOCIAL SOLIDARITY
(Social bonds act as protective against suicide)

Question 21

Define Social Solidarity

Answer 21

The degree to which group members share beliefs & values, and intensity/frequency of their interactions

Question 22

List the Highest rate of suicide to least rate of suicide among religious groups

Answer 22

Atheist, Protestant, Catholic, Jew

Question 23

What can we conclude from the increasing suicide rates in modern times?

Answer 23

Lower social bonds and lower connections to faith/religion equal higher rates of suicide

Question 24

Define the social theory of “Structural Functionalism”

Answer 24

Human behaviour is governed by stable patterns of social relations or social “Structures”
Social structures can either maintain or undermine social stability

Question 25

How do Structural Functionalists see a “Disordered” Society

Answer 25

As “Dysfunctional” and that societal problems arise from that dysfunction For society to be back to normal it needs to establish “Equalibrium” again

Question 26

How to you Re-establish “Equilibrium” in society?

Answer 26

By creating new social structures and instrututions OR Re-establishing Functionalism

Question 27

Was Durkheim theories about suicide a functionalist theory?

Answer 27

yes

Question 28

What was Talcott Parsons theory of functionalism

Answer 28

Various institutions must work to ensure the smooth operation of society

Question 29

What are the two functions Institutions can have?

Answer 29

Manifest functions Latent functions

Question 30

Define Manifest and Latent Functions

Answer 30

Manifest functions: The Obvious and Intended effect of a social structure Latent Function: the non-obvious and unintended effect of social structure

Question 31

What was Robert Merton’s theory of Functionalism

Answer 31

Social structures have different consequences for different groups of people, which may be dysfuncitonal

Question 32

What is Conflict Theory?

Answer 32

Says that major patterns of inequality produce social instability and social change Stresses that the privileged seek advantage over the lower class groups, who struggle to gain privilege

Question 33

What level of Social structures does conflict theory focus on?

Answer 33

Large, Macrolevel structures

Question 34

Who originated conflict theory, and what was his main ideals

Answer 34

Karl Marx is the originator of conflict theory He created the idea of Class Conflict

Question 35

Define “Class Conflict”

Answer 35

the struggle between classes to resist and overcome the opposition of other classes (Lower Vs Higher class, unprivileged Vs. Privileged)

Question 36

What was Max Weber’s contribution to sociology?

Answer 36

He critiqued Marx’s argument of class conflict, and said that there are more factors such as politics and religion that force change, not just economic standing

Question 37

What was Antonio Gramsci Known for and define his theory

Answer 37

Cultural Hegemony: When the “elites” values become so dominant that a majority of people view it as common sense

Question 38

How did Michel Foucault think about culture?

Answer 38

That culture is a place of conflict between dominant and subordinate classes, and EVERY social interaction is a way to gain power

Question 39

How did Foucault think about institutions power to control individuals?

Answer 39

That modern institutions CAN use violence however, they mostly rely on INTERNALIZATION as a control mechanism

Question 40

Define Poststructuralism

Answer 40

Breaking down the conventional categorizations and not having stable definitions for any right thing (Breaking down Binary Opposition)

Question 41

What is symbolic Interacitonalism?

Answer 41

Focus on understanding peoples motives and the meaning they attach to things in order to better understand the significance of their actions

Question 42

What level of social structures does symbolic interactionism affect the most?

Answer 42

Interpersonal communication and the MICRO level of social structures

Question 43

What did George Herbert Mead Suggest?

Answer 43

Individuals sense of self is formed with interaction with other people.

Question 44

What did Erving Goffman say about symbolic interactionism?

Answer 44

People present themselves to others everyday in the best way possible (Basically you present yourself how others want to perceive you and act like it too)

Question 45

Define Social Constructionism

Answer 45

Everything we think of normal in society are created and sustained by social process that vary historically and culturally.

Question 46

What is Queer theory?

Answer 46

Denies the existence of “Stable Identities”. Instead, we have spectrums that have infinite amount of possibilities between the poles.

Question 47

What is Feminist Theory?

Answer 47

They say that male domination in society are created by social structure and power conventions. (Socially made not biologically)

Question 48

How did modern feminism affect sociology?

Answer 48

Drew attention to feminism, and gender inequality specifically in barriers of opportunities, paid work and politics.

Question 49

What was the Post-industrial revolution?

Answer 49

The technology driven shift from manufacturing, to service jobs.

Question 50

Define “Freedom” sociologically

Answer 50

Be able to construct their identities and form social relationships the way they want to suit them (Deconversion of “Set” norms)

Question 51

How are we constrained in the 21st century?

Answer 51

Conformity and needing to be similar to the social norms of life.