Theories & Paradigms
Name the three major sociological paradigms/perspectives
Conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, structural functionalism
This theorist's ideas were used to create conflict theory, or the idea that the competition over resources between the wealthy/powerful and the not-so-wealthy/not-so-powerful drives change in society.
Karl Marx
This concept is the sum of the social categories and concepts we recognize in addition to our beliefs, behaviors (except the genetic ones), and practices. It is our "guide to living" and has both material and non-material components
Culture
Seeing "the general in the particular" or the "strange in the familiar" is known as...
True or false: An ethnography, where a researcher studies people or a social setting and uses observation, interaction, and sometimes formal interviewing to document behaviors, customs, experiences, social ties, meanings, and so on, is a quantitative method.
False
This theory states that individuals subconsciously notice how others see or label them, and their reactions to those labels over time form the basis of their self-identity.
Labeling Theory
This theorist is most associated with structural functionalism and most famously wrote about social cohesion, deviance and the collective conscience, and suicide
Durkheim
Examples of ___ are education, law, government, or family. These are complex groups of interdependent, or connected, positions that perform a social role. They often appear monolithic and unchanging, but are incredibly dynamic and constantly changing.
Social institutions
Give an example of role strain
Answers may vary, but role strain is stress that stems from the demands of a a SINGLE STATUS. For example, a new resident in a hospital is supposed to care for patients but also learn how to use patient charts and also study for the board exams
When Desmond moved from Ohio to California, they encountered all new interstate signs, accents, and even slang. They were confused by the fact that no one spoke to them or smiled in the grocery store, and there were no plastic bags at all. What did Desmond experience, which is defined as shock and confusion stemming from experiencing unfamiliar norms, symbols, and values?
Culture shock
This theory says that a person commits deviance when there is a mismatch between socially valued goals and the means to achieve them
Strain theory
Facework, front stage/back stage, roles, scripts, impression management
Irving Goffman
How consistently you obtain the same result using the same measure multiple times
Reliability
What is the difference between cultural relativism and ethnocentrism?
Cultural relativism: taking into account the differences across cultures without passing judgment or assigning value.
Ethnocentrism: Assuming your culture is superior
Provide an example of correlation not equaling causation...
Ms. Frye believes that she is a good teacher because her students laugh at her jokes, ask engaging questions, and tell their friends that she is nice. In other words, she sees herself as a good teacher because she thinks other people perceive her as one. This is an example of which theory of socialization
Looking-glass self
The final step in this person's theory of socialization is the development of an internalized sense of the total expectations of others. This is known as the generalized other. This means, even if we have never encountered a particular social situation before, we generally know the norms and expectations that we should follow.
George Herbert Mead
An institution that teaches cultural norms and expectations to people. Examples are family, the criminal justice system, education, etc.
Provide an example of a hegemonic ideology in the United States
Answers may vary; could include capitalism, heteronormativity, monogamy, meritocracy
According to Charles Horton Cooley, a workplace with hundreds of employees, where many of them do not know each other, would be identified as a(n) ___. This type of group is characterized by impersonal connections, a shared end goal, and is contingent (in this case, meaning you being a part of the group relies on your employment in the company).
Secondary group
How would a structural functionalist describe the function of deviance?
As a way to affirm the collective consciousness and show shared societal morals.
This theorist's panopticon is a metaphor for constant surveillance/monitoring of discipline in modern society. This also refers to a prison design where the guard tower stands in the middle, and the cells ring around it, so that the prisoners are always being watched (or think that they are). Foucault says that this is an example of modern discipline reforming the SOUL of prisoners/deviants, rather than the BODY, which characterizes pre-modern discipline such as “an eye for an eye.”
Foucault
The approach to sociology that emphasizes the scientific method as an approach to studying the objectively observable behavior of individuals irrespective of the meanings of those actions for the subjects themselves.
Positivist Approach
Name the three conditions needed to determine causality
1. Time order
2. Correlation
3. Rule out alternative explanations
Which theory best describes the following: If the punishment for murder is the death penalty, then individuals will not murder because the cost for their actions is too high
Deterrence theory