Term
|
Definition
German (1864-1920)
• Focused on understanding the meaning of social interactions through verstehen- the process by which an outside observer of a culture related to an indigenous population on their terms rather than interpreting that population by the observers own culture
• Observers should avoid their personals biases and put themselves in the place of those they study
• Verstehen requires a subjective, empathetic and introspective analysis of the interaction
• Was concerned w social inequalities
• IDEAL TYPE: a conceptual model from direct observation of a number of specific cases and representing the essential qualities found in those cases
• SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONIST |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
French (1858-1917)
• Was influenced by writings of AUGUST COMTE
• Primarily concerned with social order
• Postulated that social solidarity, or social bonds between individuals and within their society, create social order
• Two types of social solidarity:
o Mechanical solidarity – found in a simple rural societies based on tradition and unity
o Organic solidarity- found in urban societies and was based more on a complex division of labor and formal organizations
• Important contributions include his study of suicide
o Showed that suicide, considered a private act, can be explained from a sociological viewpoint
o Studied suicide rates instead of individual suicide, durkheim liked suicide to social integration- the extent to which individuals feel they are a meaningful part of society
o The stronger the social bonds, the less likelihood of committing suicide
• STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALIST |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
was looking at the means of production, manufacturing ownership and the conditions of workers
• Conflict theory: Marxist based social theory which argues that individuals and groups (social classes) within society have differing amount of material and non-material resources and that the more powerful groups use their power in order to exploit groups with less power. The methods of exploitation is done through brute force and economics
CONFLICT THEORY (MACRO) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Looking glass self: term was coined to describe the process in which individuals use others like mirriors and base their conceptions of themselves on what is reflected back to them during social interaction or, at least, what the individual thinks is being reflected back. We see ourselves through the eyes of other people, even to the extent od incorporation their views of us into our own self-concept |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| THOMAS THEOREM: IF A SITUATION IS DEFINED AS REAL THAN THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT SITUATION ARE QUIET REAL WHETHER OR NOT THE SITUATION OR DEFINITION IS TRUE |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
French (1798-1857)
• Considered the founder of sociology
• Coined term sociology
• New scientific approach to problem solving could be applied to the study of society
• Positive Philosophy – first new systematic sociological approach to the study of society
• Positivism- the use of observation, comparisons, experimentation, examining history to analyze society |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Introduced the term role set to identify a number of roles attached to a single status ROLE SET |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Dramaturgical analysis: describes social behavior from the standpoint of the language of the theater- individuals are defined as actors and social interactions views as dramatic productions. No role is staid or stale; individuals continually rewrite the scripts that go along with each role. It is agrued that human actions are dependent upon time, place and audience. Central to the analysis is a process called presentation of self, meaning an individuals effort to create specific impressions in the mind of others. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| proffered a breakdown of nation states based on levels and means of production. One of the major advantages of the world system model is its portrayal of the global economy as a dynamic system. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| HULL HOUSE - FOOD SHELTER |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- English (1802-1876)
• Spent two years traveling the US, studying various groups within the population
• Compared the positions of women and that of american slaves in society
• Called for equal rights for all during a time when they were granted to only white men
• Comared European and US society
• Encouraged education so that women had options other than marriage |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
• first new systematic sociological approach to the study of society
• Positivism- the use of observation, comparisons, experimentation, examining history to analyze society |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| refers to the extent to which a measure produces consistent results (can someone else repeat the study and get statistically significant results) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| refers to the degree to which measure or scale truly reflects the phenomenon under study |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A systematic, organized series of steps that ensures maximum objectivity and consistency in researching a problem |
|
|
Term
| QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS |
|
Definition
| uses large surveys, questionnaires, secondary research, looking at large samples. Reports data primarily in numerical form. |
|
|
Term
| QUALITATIVE METHODS OF RESEARCH |
|
Definition
| one-on-one interviews, interest in gaining very detailed information about the group in the study, uses small groups, cases studies. Also, research that relies on what is seen in field or naturalistic setting. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Structural Functionalism is a sociological perspective that originally attempted to explain social institutions and their place within society. This perspective shifted the focus of sociology from the study of day-to-day social interaction to a MACRO level analysis, which examines broader social structures and society as a whole. Later, it came to focus on the ways in which social institutions fill social needs, especially social stability and social order. Early SF was based on the work of EMILE DURKHEIM.
SF KEY CONCEPTS :
1. Society is viewed as a system – a collection of interdependent parts, with a tendency toward equilibrium (equilibrium=a stale situation in which forces cancel one another);
2. There are functional requirements that must be met in a society for its survival.
3. Social structures exist [SOCIAL STRUCTURES=SOCIAL INSTITURIONS] because they serve a function. If those institutions stop serving those functions they will cease to exist. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| examines how individuals and groups interact, focusing on the creation of personal identity through interaction others. One reason for this focus is that symbolic interactionists base their theoretical perspective on their image of humans rather than on their image of society. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The Conflict perspective focuses on social class exploitation between the bourgeoisie (the haves) and the proletariat (the have not’s – the working class) with emphasis on unequal distribution of wealth and differential access to the means of wealth, power and prestige. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a requirement for the survival of any social system, as communication, control of conflict, or socialization. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the understanding that social outcomes are based on what we do
The application of imaginative thought to the asking and answering of sociological questions. Someone using the sociological imagination "thinks himself away" from the familiar routines of daily life
individual developing a deep understanding of how their biography is a result of historical process and occurs within a larger social context. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
IS A CORNERSTONE OF ALL KNOWN HUMAN SOCIETY
CREATE CHANGE & REFLECT CHANGE |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
SOCIAL INSITUTIONS- CONSIDERED RELATIVELY ENDURING CLUSTERS OF VALUES, NORMS, SOCIAL STATUSES, ROLE AND GROUPS THAT ADDRESS FUNDAMENTAL SOCIAL NEEDS
FAMILY:
Structural Functionalist: approach is that families teach new members what is expected and how to resolve conflict.
Conflict Theory: families reinforce racial, ethnic, gender and class inequalities in the way they transmit expectations
EDUCATION:
Structural Functionalist: transmit needed skill to all young/new members in order for them to
be fully productive members of the group
Conflict Theory: reproduces inequalities; the basic way in which most school systems are funded are through property taxes. Poorer areas are immediately at a disadvantage because of their lower tax base.
RELIGION:
Structural Functionalist: motivates members to comply with their responsibilities by assigning meaning and purpose
Conflict Theory: reinforces gender inequalities by limiting roles of women and their access within the power structure; and aids in the continual cycles of abuse
(Note: some religions challenge existing inequalities, for example Reform Judaism)
GOVERNMENT:
Structural Functionalist: protects members from internal and external harm
Conflict Theory: reproduces the existing inequalities with limited access to power for many members of the society.
ECONOMY:
Structural Functionalist: produces and distributes goods and services
Conflict Theory: reinforcing existing inequalities, there is a widening of the gap between the
wealthiest members of society and the middle and lower classes. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A RANKING PROCESS WHICH NOT ONLY RELFECTS SOCIAL DIFFERENCES BUT ALSO CREATES AND MAINTAINS THOSE DIFFERENCES BY SOCIALIZING INDIVIDUALS/GROUPS INTO A STRUCTURE OF INEQUALITY
- always includes a concept of inequality
- it is a hierarchy (ranking system) (based on existing social statuses)
- it is a system (did not happen by accident)
- it has a purpose
o defines placement (maintains differences)
o defines relationships between groups
- includes a concept of power
o power to enforce the system in place
o power to maintain position within the system
- a concept of ideology
o meaning of differences
o belief system used to justify and explain
o involves some concept of power – if you convince someone they are inferior, it gives you a measure of power
- some individuals/groups benefit (+) and some individuals/groups suffer (-) because the
system is in place |
|
|
