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MIDTERM SOCIOLOGY
MIDTERM SOCIOLOGY
82
Sociology
Graduate
10/03/2013

Additional Sociology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term

Sociology 

Definition

The systematic study of human society. 

Term

August Comte 

Definition

 

  • Coined the term Sociology
  • Realized that to understand society, one must take a scientific approach of understanding.
  • This approach is known as Positivism. 

 

Term

Positivism 

Definition

A way of understanding based on science. 

Term
Theory
Definition
a statement of how and why specific facts are related
Term

Theoretical Paradigm 

Definition

A basic way of thinking about society. 

Term

Structural-Functionalism 

Definition

Sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability and integrity. 

Term

Structural Functionalism 

Definition
  1.  Social Structure-a stable pattern of social behavior.
  2. • Social Function-consequences for the operation of society as a whole. 
Term

Conflict Theory 

Definition

The framework that see society as an arena that generates conflict and change. 

Term

Conflict Theory (Cont.) 

Definition

Rejects the notion that social structure benefits society as a whole, but instead, helps some reap the benefits from society while others are deprived of these resources. 

Term

Types of Functions 

Definition

• Manifest-the recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern. IE. Its primary purpose.

• Latent-unintended or unrecognized consequences of any social pattern. 

Term
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Symbolic Interactionism 

Definition

Sees society as a product of the everyday interactions of individuals. Society is merely the result of people interacting with each other. This is accomplished because people attach meaning to everything in which they come into contact. 

Term

Two Methods of Research 

Definition
Qualitative ans Quantitative
Term
Qualitative
Definition

 

data that is gathered is not subject to statistical manipulation. A very “rich” method.

  1. Interview-face to face questions and answers.
  2.  Participant Observation-becoming part of the research and recording what happens 

 

Term
Quantitative
Definition

data that is gathered can be statistically manipulated.

– Survey-questionnaire designed to elicit responses about a specific criteria. Contain open and close ended questions.

– Experiment-controlled environment where variables are manipulated and the outcome measured.

– Secondary analysis-Using pre-existing data to test your hypothesis. 

Term

Types of Data 

Definition
  • Nominal-data that is a label. Sex, race, etc.
  • Ordinal-data that is measured by rank order. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.
  • Interval-data that has equal intervals. Age.
  • Ratio-same as interval but has an absolute zero value. Kelvin temperature scale. 
Term

Variables 

Definition

Independent variable- the variable that is manipulated or changed to see how it effects/influences another variable.


• Dependant Variable- the variable that is being tested. 

Term

Culture 

Definition

 

values, beliefs, behavior, and material objects that, together, form a people’s way of life. 


 

A shared way of life or social heritage.
a. Non-material-beliefs
b. Material-tangible creations 

 

 

Term

Society 

Definition

-people who interact in a defined territory and shared culture. 

Term

Components of Culture 

Definition
symbols, language, values and beliefs, norm
Term

Symbols 

Definition

anything that carries a recognized of shared meaning. 

Term

Language 

Definition

a system of symbols that allows people to communicate to one another. Cultural Transmission is the process by which a generation passes on its culture to the next generation. 

Term

Values and beliefs 

Definition

a. Values-culturally defined standards by which people assess desirability, goodness, and beauty and that serve as broad guidelines to social living.

b. Beliefs-specific statements about what people hold true. 

Term

Norms 

Definition

rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its members. 

Prescriptive-define what is acceptable or desirable.

Proscriptive-define what is not acceptable or desirable. 

Term

Norms come into existence through: 

Definition

Social Consensus-over time, guidelines as to acceptable behavior becomes established and looked upon as tradition.

Social Conflict-A part of society, due to its inherent power within society, imposes it guidelines in order to control the powerless. 

Term

Two Types of Norms 

Definition

Folkways and Mores

 

Term

Folkways 

Definition

less restrict norms that are typically not as severely sanctioned for violation. 

Term

Mores 

Definition

codified norms that usually have sanctions that are set out in writing. 

Term

Artifacts 

Definition

material goods that are unique to a culture. Chopsticks. 

Term

. .

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How Cultural Change Occurs 

Definition
  1. Invention-creation of new cultural elements.
  2. Discovery-recognizing and understanding something all ready in existence.
  3. Diffusion-adopting cultural aspects from another culture. 
Term

Culture Concepts 

Definition

Cultural Integration-One aspect of cultural change provoking change in another aspect of culture.

Cultural Lag-Cultural elements not changing or evolving on an equal time line.

 

Ethnocentrism-evaluating another culture by the standards of ones own culture.

Cultural Relativism-evaluating another culture by its own standards. 


 Sub-culture-having cultural patterns separate from mainstream society.

• Counter-culture-cultural patterns that strongly oppose mainstream society.

Term

Socialization 

Definition

The internalization and adherence of societal expectations and guidelines. 

Term
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Harlow’s Monkeys 

Definition

• Nature vs. Nurture

• Cloth “mother” preferred over feeding “mother.”

Social adjustment is based on interaction and feelings of belonging over basic physiological needs. 

Term
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Three Elements 

Definition
  • Id-impulsive, pleasure seeking
  • Super ego-antithesis of the id. The restraining device.
  • Ego-arbiter of the id and super ego 
Term

Movement through these stages of development is accomplished through one of two processes. 

Definition
Assimiation and Accommodation
Term

Assimilation- 

Definition

absorbing new information by emphasizing its similarities to old information and fitting it into previously established cognitive structures. 

Term

Accommodation 

Definition

adjustment to new information by establishing new cognitive structures. 

Term

Agents of Socialization 

Definition

Family-Greatest impact of all agents. Primary job is teaching skills, values, and beliefs. Develops the child’s sense of self.

School-teaches knowledge and skills. First encounter with beauracracy. Begin to learn gender roles by how males and females are funneled into categories. 

 

Peer Group-a social group whose members have interest, social position, and age in common. Able to escape parents and participate in activities that they may not want to share with adult/parent.

 

Mass Media-impersonal communication aimed at a vast audience.

 

 

 

Term

Two Types of Status 

Definition

• Ascribed: a status within which one is born or receives involuntarily later in life.

• Achieved: one which a person assumes based on personal effort and ability. Done voluntarily. 

Term

Master Status 

Definition

Where a person derives most of his/her social identity. Often shapes the person’s entire life. 

Term

Roles 

Definition

Behavior expected of someone who holds a particular status. 

Term

Role Conflict 

Definition

Conflict between roles corresponding to two or more statuses. 

Term

Role Strain 

Definition

Tension between roles within a single status. 

Term
Role Exit
Definition

Process by which people disengage from important social roles 

Term
Non-verbal communication
Definition

Using body movement, gestures, and facial expressions to convey information. 

Term
Social group
Definition

Two or more people who identify and interact with one another. 

Term
Primary Group
Definition

Small social group whose members share personal and enduring relationships. 

Term
Primary group characteristic
Definition

• Strong emotional ties.
• Personal orientation
• Usually long term
• Involving many varied activities
• Usually an ends within themselves 

Term
Secondary group
Definition

Large and impersonal group whose members pursue a specific goal or activity. 

Term
Secondary group characteristic
Definition

• Goal oriented
• Often Short Term
• Usually involve few activities

• Seen as a means to an end 

Term
Types of leadership
Definition

• Instrumental- leadership that emphasizes the completion of tasks.

– The Boss

• Expressive-focuses on collective well being of the group.

– The Care-taker 

Term
Leadership style
Definition
how decisions are made
Term
Authoritarian
Definition
Make all the decision and keep the subordinates in line
Term
Democratic
Definition
Consider input from others in decision making
Term
Laissez Faire
Definition
From the French of " To leave alone" allow the group to function on its own. Least effective.
Term
Dyad
Definition
A social group with two members. Require alot of energy to maintain, such as marriage. Intense in nature.
Term
Bureaucracy
Definition
an organizational model rationally designed to perform tasks efficiently
Term
sex or gender is refered to
Definition
biological distinction between female and male. In men the XY chromosome, females XX
Term
Primary sex characteristic
Definition

Genitals and organs used for reproduction. Basically determined at conception though not immediately evident. 

Term
Hermaphrodite or intersexual
Definition

human beings with some combination of both male and female genitalia. 

Term
who's having sex
Definition
thoughout the US, married couples report having the most frequently and most satisfying sex than others
Term
Sexual Orientation
Definition

A person’s romantic and emotional attachment to another person. Preference in terms of sexual partner. 

Term
Heterosexual
Definition
attractive to opposite sex
Term
Homosexual
Definition
attraction to the same sex
Term
Bisexual
Definition
attraction to both same and opposite sex
Term
Asexual
Definition
No attraction to either sex
Term
Deviance
Definition
violation of norms
Term
Neutralizational theory
Definition
  1. Denial of Responsibility-deviance caused by factors outside his control.
  2. Denial of Injury-view acts as causing no injury to victim.
  3. Denial of the Victim-Justifies actions by acknowledging that the act was “rightful” punishment or retaliation.
  4. Condemnation of the Condemners- Shifting focus from the deviant to those who judge the deviance. 
Term
Primary deviance (labeling theory)
Definition
the deviance that is observed by the non deviant and labeled as such by the observer (non-deviant)
Term
Secondary deviance (labeling theory)
Definition
the deviance that the deviant exhibits once the label has been internalized by the deviant
Term
Control Theory
Definition
Assume that people are inherently deviant that is the bond to society that make them "non deviant"
Term
Elements of the bond
Definition

Attachment

Commitment

Involement

Belief

Term
Attachment (element of the bond)
Definition
the degree to which an individuals are sensitive to others
Term
Commitment ( elements of the bond)
Definition
the rational component of conformity
Term
involement( elements of the bond)
Definition
amount of time a person spent in conventional activity
Term
Belief (elements of the bond)
Definition
moral validity of social rule within society
Term
Strain theory (Merton)
Definition
Deviance is a result of anomie. Social structure can pressure an individual into behavior that is deviant from what society expects.
Term
Strain Theory
Definition

Conformist

Innovator

Ritualist

Retreatist

Revolutionary

Term
Severity Deviance Saction
Definition
Societally Necessary
Term
Negative Aspect of Deviance
Definition

Personal harm

Threaten norms

Cost

Social disruption

Threatens Social Order

Self Perpetuation

Term
Positive aspect of Deviance
Definition

• Re-affirmation of norms

• Social Solidarity
• Calls for reform
• Contrast effect

• Safety valve
• Leadership
• Social and Cultural Change

• Warning Device
• Excitement 

Term
History of Gang in America
Definition

Homeless Orphans

40 thieves

Sullivan Act

Police Force

Crack Cocaine

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