Definitions
Sociology
what is the systemic study of human behaviour in a social context which connect feelings and attitudes in a local or global context?
Order Theory
support status quo, \set of shared values or social process limit disruption and lead to cooperation
Feminist Theory
a macro and micro theoretical approach that looks at gender inequities in society and the way that gender structures the social world
Culture
material objects and ideas, practices and material objects
Postmodernism
the belief that society is no longer governed by history or progress
knowledge and truth = situation specific
fluid
contested
truths shaped through discourse
truth reflects power relations
mix of elements and multiple styles
causes a erosion of authority and decline of consensus around core values
Social Solidarity
what are shared values / interactions among groups?
change theory
support status quo, \set of shared values or social process limit disruption and lead to cooperation
Micro-Structure
face to face, intimate interactions between two people (family, friends)
Norms
generally accepted ways of doing things
Sociological Imagination
what is the ability to see the link between society and self
private troubles to public issues (ex: unemployment)?
Structural Functionalism
A macro framework that discusses the interrelation and functionality of various parts, shared values and preferences. Claim that reestablishing the equilibrium is the best way to solve social problems.
Influenced by Great Depression
Social Structure
what are stable patterns of social relations?
Abstraction
creating symbols (language / mathematical notions) to simplify complex terms
Industrial Revolution
Birth of the new 'service section' through a series of improvements in industrial technology that transformed the process of manufacturing goods through the application of science.
Conflict Theory
Macro theoretical framework in which society is viewed as composed of groups that are competing for scarce resources (Karl Marx Change Theory).
Rationalization
regulation of work by clocks, clocks dictate our life/routines, regulate us (McDonaldization)
Validity
link between concept and measure of the concept
Symbolic Interactionsim
a micro-level theory in which shared meanings, orientations, and assumptions form the basic motivations behind people's actions
interactions form a society
change theory
interpersonal communication
McDonaldization
George Ritzer's term describing the spread of bureaucratic rationalization and the accompanying increases in efficiency and dehumanization