Early Sociologists
Who coined the term "survival of the fittest"?
Herbert Spencer
__________ refers to the ideology that needs to be adopted for the status quo to be challenged
class consciousness
Define the term "empirical"
evidence based on concrete observations and data
Name at least two offshoots of conflict theory
1) Feminist theory
2) Critical theory
3) Critical race theory
Who was the main contributor of ideas to conflict theory?
Karl Marx
Auguste Comte was best known for three things. Name two of them
1) Coining the term sociology
2) Introducing the scientific method to the study of society
3) Developing positivism, which emphasized the importance of empirical knowledge
What is the difference between sociology and psychology?
an example of this term would be someone who owns a car factory
the bourgeoisie
What is the premier microsociological theory?
Symbolic interactionism
Describe the difference between mechanical solidarity and organic solidarity.
Mechanical solidarity is the unity that stemmed from shared traditions, beliefs, and experiences in agricultural societies. Organic solidarity is the unity that stemmed from the interdependence individuals have on each other in an industrial society.
In what book did Durkheim write about the term anomie?
Suicide
A __________ is a change in structure that leads to a new equilibrium
dysfunction
Describe the difference between microsociology and macrosociology
Macrosociology focuses on the dynamics large/broad social structures and institutions and how they influence individual behavior; microsociology focuses on individual social interactions and how they affect society as a whole
Describe the difference between manifest functions and latent functions
Manifest functions are the obvious, intended functions of a structure
Latent functions are the less obvious, unintended functions of a structure
In what book did Durkheim introduce his theories?
The Division of Labor in Society(1893)
What was Weber's main contribution to the field of research in sociology?
He suggested that researchers avoid imposing their own biases into their scientific analyses.
He also suggested that scientists should have empathetic understanding
Which of these definitions fit the term verstehen
a) The application of economic logic to all aspects of society
b) The sense of disconnection arising from the changing conditions of life
c) The term coined by Marx that describes the revolutionary consciousness needed to change the status quo
d) The idea that scientists should have empathetic understanding to the actors that they are studying
D
James is having a conversation with some of his friends about politics. He mentions how the capitalistic system of the United States is deeply flawed and heavily favors the rich while exploiting the poor. His friend adamantly disagrees, and says anyone can get rich if they just work hard enough. What is this an example of?
False consciousness
What stance does critical race theory take on race in society?
Critical race theory argues that racism is embedded in American institutions, including our laws. Institutional racism serves to promote white privilege and marginalize people of color.
What were Harriet Martineu's contributions to sociology? Name at least two
1) Critiqued the United States and its hypocrisy to its own democratic standards in two books: Society in America and Retrospect of Western Travel
2) Wrote about and critiqued modern marriage
3) Translated Comte's Introduction to Positive Psychology into English
Which of these is a definition of alienation:
a) The feeling of being isolated from society due to inequality
b) the idea that workers could not benefit directly from the fruits of their own labor and were thus alienated
c) the application of economic thinking to all aspects of society
d) the idea that researchers should isolate their biases from their research and thus alienate themselves
B
Describe the difference between the terms iron cage and anomie
iron cage describes the feeling of being trapped by the bureaucratic structures that control our lives, according to Weber
anomie describes the feeling of disconnect, and perhaps sadness, that accompanies the changes occurring in modern society
Compare a structural functionalist's response to change in society and the status quo to a conflict theorist's response.
Functionalist's see change as dysfunctional, and will argue that stability is needed instead. A conflict theorist would acknowledge that just because a society is stable does not mean it is beneficial, and that change to the status quo is needed.
Describe the difference in how structural functionalism and conflict theory explain inequality
Structural functionalism would say that social inequality is itself a social structure that serves an important function in society. Conflict theory argues that social/economic inequality and tensions between social classes is the driving force of society