Social networks
Define social network
The network of people you know– whether it’s friends, family, acquaintances, employers, etc
Define “college for all”
The notion that everyone, regardless of interest, or ability, can and should go to college
What is a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a prediction– “an educated guess” about what the data will show, often including the expected relationship between the two or more variables
What is the “ideal family” and what is problematic about this concept?
The ideal traditional family is the middle and upper class Victorian family structure (women were defined by domesticity and men were labeled as “breadwinners”.
Define race
Race is a category that usually refers to physical characteristics that define a person as being a member of a specific group. Race is a socio-historical concept: racial categories and the meaning of race are given concrete expression by the specific social relations and historical context in which they are embedded
What are weak ties? How does this relate to acquaintance networks?
Weak ties are people outside the intimate network. An acquaintance network improves a jobseeker’s chances of having one really useful contact (people with a more diversified acquaintances were more likely to get help from contacts= higher prestige)
What are the demographic trends around college attendance and completion over the last few decades?
Completion for college attendance and completion have risen, more individuals are getting their Bachelor's, Master’s and PhD’s than before
Explain what the phrase “correlation does not imply causation” means
Just because two variables are related to each other (either positively or negatively), it does not mean they caused by each other
How are romantic relationships presented in children’s films?
These films provide power portraits of a multifaceted and pervasive heterosexuality that likely facilitates the reproduction of heteronormativity
What are some examples of how “race” or “racial categories” have changed over time or from region to region?
Example (time): “one drop” rule= potentially “white” children of black mothers were defined out of existence, they were defined as “black” and shifted from indentured servitude to being slaved
Example (region): brazil has historically has less rigid conception of race, and thus a variety of ‘intermediate’ racial categories exist
In general, every kind of social advantage tends to generate a ____ advantage, which in turn does what for the sociologically disadvantaged?
Network; causes them to fall behind
What are some common reasons given for going to college (state at least 4)?
1. Human capital (to develop skills)
2. Credentialing (mainly for credential)
3. default “non-choice” (assumed it’s the appropriate thing to do and assumed they would go)
4. college experience (related to some reason of being on campus)
What are the steps of the scientific method?
1. Identify the problem
2. Review the literature
3. Formulate a hypothesis
4. Develop and select the research design
5. Collect data
6. Analyze data
7. State findings and conclusions
What are some “relationship rituals” and how have they changed over time?
Relationship rituals include but are not limited to men pursuing women and paying for dates, waiting until marriage for erotic behavior, meeting somewhere “nice”. The rituals of dating will vary from era to era and society to society. (Ex: in western countries, there no longer needs to be a chaperone)
What have been some trends in racial segregation within neighborhoods over time?
Black and brown communities were segregated into redlined areas while their white counterparts had access to the highest quality neighborhoods. Despite the change in policies, racial segregation didn’t change as the process of white flight just moved white communities from one place to another.
Does job seeking add up to “it’s not what you know, but who you know?” Why or why not?
Not really; sometimes what you know is critical (you need both skills AND contacts)
Why might a professional group desire the ability to exclude?
The ability to exclude gives professional groups power and helps ensures those hired will be loyal to the organization
Define internal and external validity. What is the relationship between the two?
Internal- whether the effects observed in a study are due to the manipulation of the independent variable and not some other factor
External- extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other settings, people and over time
What are some characteristics of a “pure relationship” and how might it differ from a traditional romantic relationship?
Pure relationship is defined as one that is entered into for its own sake and maintained only as long as both partners get enough satisfaction from it to stick around. May be more egalitarian, foster more independence, and be happier than traditional romantic relationships
From the video shown in class– what is the relationship between home values and racial inequity?
Black and brown homeowners had home values that were worth significantly less after their white counterparts began leaving these neighborhoods. Once black and brown homeowners began to move in, “white flight” occurred and the home values dropped significantly
Why might a diverse network be good for your health? – name two mechanisms by which the expanded network might benefit health
Acquaintances contribute to a sense of control over one’s life= lower stress= better health
Acquaintance diversity contributes to being better informed about health
What is the relationship between income and a college degree? What about wealth? How is this mitigated by student loans?
Data has shown that college degree holders earn more than their counterparts. The cost of college has grown significantly, making it harder for individuals from low-income families to go to college
Define: independent, dependent, and intervening variable. What is the relationship between the three?
Independent- a characteristic that causes something to occur (intervention you are measuring or state you are observing)
Dependent- a characteristic that reflects a change (outcome being measured)
Intervening- variable that changed the relationship between an independent and dependent variable
What are some types of love and what are some ways that sociologists have defined love?
Some types of love include romantic, platonic, familial (love is an emotion but also a cultural category of experience).
Sternberg- as a “story” that we tell ourselves and one another
Van de vate- expressions of love as policy statements that set forth the terms and expectations of the relationship
Brown, rowntree- love as intensely focused and sustained attention in another person
How have redlining policies impacted generational wealth? How does this relate to social networks?
The difference in home values from white and non-white homeowners causes a significant disparity in generational wealth. Knowing people (such as neighbors or other community members) with high prestige greatly impacts your chances of obtaining higher prestige