Name That Sociological Theory
From a young age, children are expected to follow rules at home and at school. These early lessons in discipline and responsibility help prepare them to become productive members of society later on.
Structural Functionalism – socialization maintains order and stability.
Explain the difference between morals and values
Values are society's shared rules about right and wrong that affect everyone.
Morals are more personal and reflect what matters most to each individual.
While morals guide how everyone should behave, values are unique to each person and can differ widely.
A student tells the truth about accidentally breaking a pencil sharpener because being honest is part of how they define themselves as a “good person.”
Definitional Theory of Self-Interest – actions based on personal identity and values (they see/define themselves as an honest person)
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society — how people interact with each other, the groups they form, and the systems and institutions that shape behavior.
Paradigm
a broad perspective, or lens that allow social scientists tools to describe society and then build theories
Two coworkers both want a promotion, but one has family connections to the company’s leadership. Even though they have the same skills, the person with connections ends up moving forward, showing how unequal access to resources shapes outcomes.
Conflict Theory – unequal access to opportunity/resources.
Explain the difference between ideal and real culture
Ideal Culture = What people say they do or aspire to.
Real Culture = What people actually do.
Long ago, people who shared food with their group were more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on cooperative behaviors to later generations.
Evolutionary Theory of Self-Interest – cooperative behaviors passed down because they helped ancestors survive.
Bonus: Name Ms. Ogle's favorite animal
Otter
Bonus: Name Ms. Ogle's 2 pets
Rosie and Pepper (Rest in Peace, Toast)
When people meet someone new, a smile or a firm handshake communicates friendliness and respect. However, in another culture, those same gestures might carry different meanings, leading to misunderstanding.
Symbolic Interactionism – meaning of gestures shaped by culture.
Explain the difference between tangible vs intangible culture
Tangible Culture = The stuff (objects, things).
Intangible Culture = The thoughts and meanings (ideas, beliefs).
Someone donates blood during a community drive, not expecting anything in return — but later benefits if they ever need blood themselves.
Hidden Benefits Theory of Self-Interest – doing something “selfless” (giving blood) that provides unseen future advantages.
Moral inconsistency
When a person’s actions do not match their stated morals or beliefs
Bonus: Name Ms. Ogle's first name and birth month
Savannah, February
Hospitals are designed not just to treat illness, but also to keep society functioning by ensuring people can return to work, school, and family roles after being sick.
Structural Functionalism – institutions maintain social function
Explain the difference between micro and macro level theories
Micro: Focus on small-scale interactions between individuals or small groups. How people interact, communicate, and influence each other in everyday life.
Macro: Focus on large-scale social processes and structures that affect society as a whole. Patterns, institutions, and systems that shape groups, communities, or nations.
A teenager cleans their room because their parents might take away their phone if they don’t.
Fear of Punishment Theory of Self-Interest – motivated by consequences if they fail to act.
the awareness that a group of people within a certain social class share common interests, struggles, and goals and work together to change their circumstances
Culture lag
the time that elapses between the introduction of a new item of material culture and its acceptance as part of nonmaterial culture
Example: When TikTok first became popular, Gen Z quickly embraced it, but older generations were slower to accept it as a legitimate part of culture.
Rising college tuition allows universities and lenders to profit, but it leaves many students in debt for decades. This reflects how powerful groups benefit while others face long-term disadvantages.
Core idea of Conflict Theory: Society is made up of groups with unequal power and resources. The powerful create systems that benefit them at the expense of others.
In this case, universities and lenders (powerful institutions) profit from high tuition and student loans.
Students, especially those from less wealthy backgrounds, end up burdened with debt.
This creates a long-term inequality cycle: wealthy students graduate with fewer financial burdens and can advance faster, while indebted students struggle to catch up.
Explain the difference between high culture and pop culture
High Culture = “Elite” culture (exclusive, refined, status-based). (weddings, galas, etc)
Pop Culture = “Everyday” culture (mainstream, mass appeal).
A wealthy business owner gives a large sum of money to charity. They say it’s “purely to help people,” but they also gain tax breaks, positive media attention, and increased trust from customers, which benefits their business in the long run
Hidden Benefits Theory of Self-Interest – the business owner’s donation looks selfless but secretly leads to long-term personal and financial gain.
Looking-glass self
a person’s self-image develops based on how they think others perceive them
Sociological imagination
The ability to see the connection between individual experiences and larger social forces.