Sociology Basics
What is sociology?
The study of human behavior in groups.
Which perspective sees society as a system working together to maintain stability?
Functionalist Perspective
What are norms?
Rules or expectations for behavior in a culture.
What is American Exceptionalism?
The belief that the U.S. is unique or superior in some way.
What is a sanction?
A reward or punishment for following or breaking norms.
What is sociological imagination?
The ability to see the connection between personal experiences and larger social forces.
Which perspective sees society as groups competing for power?
Conflict Perspective
What are values?
Beliefs about what is good, important, or right.
What is nuance?
Recognizing shades of meaning — things aren’t just one extreme or the other.
Not black and white - grey
Give an example of a positive sanction.
Praise, awards, high-fives.
What is social location?
A person’s place in society based on factors like age, gender, race, income, etc.
Which perspective focuses on symbols and meaning in everyday interactions?
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
What are symbols?
Anything that stands for or represents something else.
The belief that individuals are responsible for their own success is called what?
Individualism
Give an example of a negative sanction.
Detention, disapproval, fines.
Sociologists focus on patterns of behavior rather than individual actions.
What is a social pattern?
Which perspective would analyze how inequality affects opportunity?
Conflict Perspective
What is technology in culture?
Tools, skills, or knowledge a society uses.
Believing the group’s needs come before your own is called what?
Collectivism
Someone walks into class wearing muddy pajamas and sits down like it’s normal.
Is this breaking a folkway or a more?
Folkway — it’s weird or rude, but not morally wrong.
What does it mean to “think like a sociologist,” and why is it important when studying human behavior?
1. It means looking for patterns.
2. It’s important because it helps us explain why people act the way they do, not just what they do.
Which perspective would study how people learn roles by watching others?
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Which term means the full range of human creations that shape a society?
Culture
Which cultural idea often leads to political or social polarization in America?
Extreme individualism or lack of nuance (teacher choice)
A student is caught taking money out of another student’s backpack when they aren’t looking.
Is this breaking a folkway or a more?
More — stealing is a serious moral violation.