Week 1 Flashcards
(30 cards)
What is sociology?
The systematic study of society
Sociology examines how individual lives are influenced by social structures and forces.
What are the two levels sociologists study?
Micro and Macro levels
Micro level focuses on individual experiences while Macro level examines broader social forces.
What does the micro level in sociology refer to?
Individual experiences and personal choices
What does the macro level in sociology refer to?
Broader social forces, e.g., life chances, norms, social institutions
What is meant by ‘the strange in the familiar’ in sociology?
Examining how people’s choices and experiences are influenced by social forces
What is meant by ‘the general in the particular’ in sociology?
Identifying social patterns evident in the actions and experiences of individuals
Who coined the term ‘sociology’?
Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès in 1780
Who is considered the Father of Sociology?
Auguste Comte
What significant historical events influenced the emergence of sociology?
The French Revolution and the Enlightenment
What does sociology use to study society?
A variety of theories and methods
What is the sociological imagination?
The ability to look beyond the individual as the cause for success and failure
What are the two main empirical research methods in sociology?
Quantitative research and Qualitative research
What is quantitative research?
Information presented in the form of numbers analyzed using statistical techniques
Typical methods used in quantitative research include:
- Surveys
- Experiments
- Statistical analysis
What is qualitative research?
Concerned with verbal descriptions of behavior based on reports, observations, and pattern analysis
Qualitative methods include:
- In-depth interviews
- Direct observation
- Focus groups
- Content analysis
What is a theory in sociology?
A set of propositions intended to explain a fact or phenomenon
What are the three forms of theorizing in sociology?
- Positivist
- Interpretive
- Critical
What is the structural functionalist perspective?
A macro-level perspective focusing on how social order is maintained through structures
Who is recognized as one of the founders of sociology?
Émile Durkheim
What does critical theory focus on?
Economic wealth and power
According to Karl Marx, who are the bourgeoisie?
Members of the capitalist class who own most of the wealth
According to Karl Marx, who are the proletariat?
Workers in a capitalist system who do all the work
What is the focus of the symbolic interactionist perspective?
How communication influences interactions and creates the social world
