Big Sociology Ideas
The study of society and how people interact.
What is sociology?
This level studies one-to-one interactions.
What is the micro-level?
This theory says society works like a machine with parts working together.
What is functionalism?
This sociologist said conflict between groups causes changes in society.
Who is Karl Marx?
Golden arches remind people of fast food—even without the name.
What is symbolic interactionism?
A way of thinking that connects personal problems to bigger society problems.
What is the sociological imagination?
This level studies large-scale issues in society.
What is the macro-level?
This theory says society is a competition for power and resources.
What is conflict theory?
This sociologist believed we need to understand society from the inside.
Who is Max Weber?
Two people see online gaming differently (one hates it, one loves it).
What is people can give different meanings to the same thing?
If one person is unemployed it’s personal, but if millions are unemployed it’s this.
What is a public issue?
Example: 2 friends texting and misunderstanding emojis.
What is micro-level?
This theory focuses on symbols and meanings in everyday life.
What is symbolic interactionism?
This sociologist is most famous for studying suicide.
Who is Émile Durkheim?
This theory says schools can reinforce power and social class.
What is conflict theory?
Shared beliefs, values, and behaviors of a group of people.
What is culture?
Example: The gap between rich and poor in a country.
What is macro-level?
School helps society by teaching kids skills and helping communities work.
What is functionalism?
This person helped name sociology and believed it should be studied scientifically.
Who is Auguste Comte?
Sociology says people’s choices are shaped by this.
What is membership in social groups?
Patterns of beliefs and behaviors that meet a society’s needs (like school, family, religion).
What are social institutions?
A law affects millions of people across the country.
What is the macro-level?
A “manifest function” of college is this (the MAIN goal).
What is gaining skills and knowledge for a job?
The word that means understanding society from an insider’s point of view.
What is verstehen?
This idea means personal decisions don’t happen “in a vacuum.”
What is society affects individuals?