Chapter 1:
Definition of Sociology?
Sociology IS the systematic, scientific study of social behavior in human groups.
What is the difference between Material & Nonmaterial Culture?
Material Culture is physical objects and Non Material Culture is abstract human creations.
Define Social Control.
The enforcing of norms through either internal or external means.
Define Status, Ascribed Status, Achieved Status, & Master Status.
Status: A socially defined position in a group or society. Ascribed Status: Assigned according to qualities beyond a person’s control. Achieved Status: Acquired by individuals through their own direct efforts that include special knowledge, skills or abilities. Master Status: Plays the greatest role in shaping a person’s life and determining his/her social identity.
Define Nature vs. Nurture.
Nature: The belief that our personality and behavior is 100% shaped by our genetics.
Nurture: The belief that our personality & behavior are shaped 100% by our environment.
What does Sociology seek to document?
Trends and patterns in human behavior.
Also how people relate to each other and influence each other’s behavior.
Identify each of the 5 Components of Culture.
Technology Symbols Language Values Norms
What does it mean to ‘internalize a norm’?
It is the process by which a norm becomes part of an individual’s personality
What is the difference between Role Conflict & Role Strain?
Role conflict occurs when the fulfilling roles of one status makes it difficult to fulfill the roles of another. Role strain occurs when a person has difficulty meeting the role expectations of a single status.
Identify each of the 4 Agents of Socialization.
The Family
The Peer Group
The School
The Mass Media
What is Sociological Imagination?
IT IS THE COLLECTION OF GROUP MEMBERSHIPS THAT DETERMINE YOUR IDENTITY.
What is the difference between a Folkway & More?
Folkways are norms that do not have great moral significance. Mores are norms that do carry great moral significance
Define Positive & Negative Sanctions and Formal & Informal Sanctions.
Positive Sanctions: An action that rewards a particular kind of behavior (Good Behaviors).
Negative Sanctions: A punishment or the threat of punishment used to enforce conformity when individuals engage in Bad Behaviors.
Formal Sanctions: Are rewards or punishments given by a formal organization to maintain social stability.
Informal Sanctions: Is a spontaneous expression of approval or disapproval given by an individual or group.
Define Weber’s Model of Bureaucracy.
Division of labor
Ranking of authority
Employment based on formal qualifications
Rules and regulations
Specific lines of promotion and advancement
Identify each of Piaget’s 4 Stages of Cognitive Development
1.) Sensorimotor Stage.
2.) Preoperational Stage.
3.) Concrete Operational Stage.
4.) Formal Operational Stage.
How did Auguste Comte contribute to sociology?
By applying scientific thinking to the study of social life. (seeing society as it is not how we would like it to be ideally)
Identify the 3 components to a Cultural Diagram.
Trait – tool, act, or belief related to a particular situation.
Complex – combination of traits into an interrelated whole
Pattern – combination of complexes into an interrelated whole
Identify each of the 3 Sociological Approaches (theories) to Explaining Deviance.
Functionalist Approach
Conflict Theory
Interactionist Perspective
Identify each of the 5 Types of Social Interaction.
Exchange
Competition
Conflict
Cooperation
Accommodation
Be able to identify Gender similarities & Gender differences.
Gender Similarities: From a biological/genetic point of view, men and women are very similar.
Gender Differences: The average woman enters puberty 2 years earlier than the average man, lives 5 years longer, carries 70% more fat and 40% less muscle and is 5 inches shorter.
What were the 6 sociological research methods?
Historical Method Content Analysis Survey Method Observation Case Study Statistical Analysis
What is the difference between Cultural Universals & Cultural Relativism?
Cultural Universals are common features that all societies need to develop their cultural traits, complexes, and patterns. Culture Relativism is the belief that cultures should not be compared to one universal standard.
Define Corrections and identify its 4 Basic Functions.
Sanctions used to punish criminals 4 Basic Functions
Retribution
Deterrence
Rehabilitation
Social Protection
Define Risky Shift & Cults.
Risky Shift: Social psychological term for the tendency for people to make more daring decisions when they are in groups rather than when they are alone.
Cults: A group whose beliefs are seen by most as being “strange” or unorthodox
Define and Understand Gender & Social Power.
Around the world men are perceived as more dominant, forceful and independent.
Women are perceived as more deferential, nurturing and affiliative.
In most societies, men are more socially dominant and hold more leadership positions (72% of the world’s parliamentary gov’t positions)
Men are more likely to utter opinions and women are more likely to express support.
These behaviors help to sustain power inequities