Social Theory Basics
a set of interrelated ideas that allow for the systematization of knowledge of the social world, the explanation of the world, and predictions of the future of the social world.
What is a sociological theory?
according to Weber, this is defined as:
Things that people do that require no thought
What is behavior?
the breakdown and separation from the natural interconnection between people and their productive activities.
What is alienation?
things external and coercive over the individual. They are unique to the field of sociology according to Durkheim.
Name and define the two different types.
What are social facts?
Material: are materialized into the social world (physical objects which shape your behavior)
Nonmaterial: external and coercive and do not take a material form (values, beliefs, etc.)
a modern type of administrative structure developed through rational-legal authority with the following characteristics.
What is bureaucracy?
Something made up of those theories, ideas, and books that are considered to be the most important in the field of sociology.
What is the sociological canon?
the study of behavior, largely associated with the field of sociology.
What is behaviorism?
an economic system composed mainly of capitalists and the proletariat in which one class exploits the other.
What is capitalism?
found in less structurally complex societies (strong belief system, low division of labor)
What is mechanical solidarity?
Used on a day-to-day basis to deal with whatever difficulties exist and find the most expedient way of attaining our goal of getting from one point to another.
What is Practical Rationality?
(1787-1799); marked by the disbandment of the feudal system
What is the French Revolution?
things that people do that are a result of conscious processes.
What is action?
the inaccurate relationship between the worker and the capitalists under capitalism.
What is false consciousness?
people are more likely to kill themselves because of high integration and is likely to happen in greater numbers (i.e. cults)
What is altruistic suicide?
formed from characteristics and elements of the given phenomena; exaggerated form of rationality for a given phenomenon
Give at least 2 characteristics of the Multicultural Theory Tenets.
1. Seeks to empower the marginalized
2. Inclusive theory which seeks to empower the dis-empowered
3. Seeks to make the social and academic world more diverse and open.
action that is based on the actor's set of chosen beliefs or values; the action is rational from the point of view of the value system of the actor.
What is value rational action?
the unfair relationship between the worker and the capitalism stemming from capitalism in which the capitalists reap the most rewards.
emerges in industrialized societies (low belief system, complex division of labor)
What is organic solidarity?
most found in modern Western countries, because action is based on rules, regulations, and laws. This type of rationality arose from industrialization.
What is Formal Rationality?
Explain the difference between social thinkers and regular thinkers.
Social thinkers: more disciplined; base their theories off of the work/efforts of others; rely on data; think more broad; consider sharing their work with others
Regular thinkers: theory for themselves; not critiqued by professionals; not always rational/based off of emotion
action that is chosen based on non-value systems
What is means-end rational action?
according to Marx, this is the social system which would replace capitalism, by which for the first time human potential will be maximized.
What is communism?
What causes the change from mechanical to organic solidarity?
Dynamic Density
This is legitimated by a belief by the followers in the exceptional quality, character, or heroism of the charismatic leader.
What is charismatic authority?