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, 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's strain theory says that a person commits deviance when there is a mismatch between socially valued goals and the means to achieve them
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
The idea, common in capitalist systems, that everyone has the ability to gain success if they work hard enough and have enough merit, is an example of this standard of equality.
Equality of opportunity
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
How would a structural functionalist describe the function of deviance?
As a way to affirm the collective consciousness and show shared societal morals.
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
This theorist saw inequality as necessary for society. He saw inequality as a way to avoid overpopulation (and therefore starvation). Basically, his argument is that inequality ensures that people, who grow at a rate much higher than food production does, will not live in starvation.
Thomas Malthus
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
This sociologist was the first to undertake an ethnography in the Black community. He was the first Black person to earn a PhD from Harvard and used early statistics to analyze class inequality in the Black community. He was a co-founder of the NAACP, and developed the concept of double consciousness for Black Americans, which explains the process of navigating a prejudiced world while maintaining one's own sense of identity
W.E.B. Dubois
This theorist saw inequality as a master-slave dialectic (meaning: two-way relationship). Basically, this means that both master and slave depend on one another. However, this theorist saw history as marching towards more and more equality over time, until equality for all is achieved.
Friedrich Hegel
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
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