Sociology 2 – Flashcards

Things that people create use or appreciate

Any physical object to which we give social meaning: tools, clothing, weapons, buildings, toys, ect

Help define its members behaviors and perceptions

reflects the ideas and beliefs of a group of people Certain rule or custom

Form the basis of social interaction, a subject so central to sociology that the entire next chapter is devoted to it

A symbol that stands for or conveys an idea Ex: traffic signal, price tag, sheet of music, or product logo Numbers and letters most common signs Some are universal but others are specific to certain cultures May take interpretive work to understand what a sign means if you are unfamiliar with the context in which it is displayed

The ways in which people use their bodies to communicate without words; actions that have symbolic meaning Ex: clapping our hands, nodding our head, or smiling "body language", "nonverbal communication" Can be as subtle as a knowledge glance or as obvious as a raised fist Some are universal but others are specific to their culture

A system of communication using vocal sounds, gestures, or written symbols Basis of symbolic culture and the primary means through which we communicate with one another and perpetuate our culture What has allowed us to fully develop and express ourselves as human beings and what distinguishes us from all other species on the planet Shapes our communication and perception

Anthropologists who claimed to have discovered that the Hopi has no words to distinguish the past, present, or future They did not "see" or experience time in the same way as those whose language provided such words Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Asserts that language actually structures thought, that perception not only suggests the need for words with which to express what is perceived but also that the words themselves help create those same perceptions Their studies weren't published until 1950s The idea that Eskimos has many more words for snow than people of Western cultures was sharply challenged, as was the notion that Hopi has no words for future or past tense

Sociologist who looks at how different groups (likes Jews, Arabs, or Serbs and Croats) use language to construct an understanding of their heritage He called this "social memory"

A set of shared beliefs a group of people consider to be worthwhile or desirable in life. What is good, bad, right, or wrong. They articulate the essence of everything a cultural group cherishes and honor

Rules and guidelines regarding what kind of behaviors are acceptable. Formal- officially codified ex: laws Informal- implicit and unspoken. 1. Folk ways- ordinary conventions ex: etiquette 2. Mores- of moral significance taboos- holds greater meaning ex: cannibalism, incest

Means of enforcing norms Positive vs. Negative 1. Positive- express approval ex: smile, praise, reward Negative- express disapproval ex: frown, harsh words, fine Establish social control

- a policy that involves honoring the diverse, racial, ethnic, national, and linguistic backgrounds of various individuals and groups.

The values, norms, and practices of the mainstream. Dominant culture can produce cultural hegemony, or dominance.

A non-dominant group The U.S. is filled with these cultures within a culture.

the dominant culture is society's unified whole, while the subcultures make up contributions of separate structures within the whole

Vietnamese Americans, Saints Fans, Truck Drivers ect

Differs from subculture, in that norms and values are incompatible with the mainstream.

any group that opposes dominate culture.can vary from extreme militia or terrorists groups, to peaceful hippies and feminists.

Clashes within the mainstream of society caused from points of tension and division in a diverse society. Culture wars arise when there is not a uniform agreement about which values and norms should be upheld.

tension between social groups is central to the workings of a society. (Without culture wars, society would not improve and/or change)

Examples include debates of family values, gender roles, violence in the media, and school prayer.

the norms and values that members of a society believe should be observed in principle

the patterns of behavior that actually exist.

- having multiple possible meanings EX: The Simpsons Enjoyed on different levels By children, adults For its humor, political commentary Helps us understand how someone can love a song or movie another person hates. Its not a given or entirely open but we make meaning individually and together as audiences and consumers of culture.

- a group of people dedicated to the consumption and interpretation of a cultural product and creates a social meaning for it. EX: A fan web page

group of people whose collective activities contributed to the making of a cultural product (Book EX): Elvis Presley best hits were made in a "rockabilly" style. Which is a combination of black R&B , white country and hillbilly, and hard-driving rock and roll. Many musicians contributed those musical influences. Elvis's art world

Many think that technology is the single greatest influence on society today and is the driving force behind social change.

the spreading of beliefs and practices from one group to another. Each culture has its own beliefs, practices, tools and ways of life therefore exposure to another culture may mean that certain parts of it will be accepted. This typically occurs in the direction from more developed to less developed nations.

the process by which cultures that were once unique and distinct become increasingly similar. As cultures begin to become the same, new mixes arise. This can produce an interesting hybrid but can also mean a weaker, more diluted culture of sameness

the imposition of one culture's beliefs and practices on another culture through mass media and consumer products rather than by military force.

Something unique but also common that sets humans apart from all other creatures. From a sociologist's perspective Human Nature is the culture and society that makes us human. The culture and society you live in affects your language, everyday skill set, and your view on how the world works

: behavioral traits can be explained by genetics.

human behavior is learned and shaped through social interaction.

Study on moral reasoning

a twofold process that includes the process by which a society, culture, or group teaches individuals to become functioning members, and the process by which the individuals learn and internalize the values and norms of the group.

Freud- Interpretation of Dreams (1900) Our Unconscious and Subconscious mind is the source of conscious thought and behavior

Biological Drives

Mediates between Id and Superego

knowledge of social norms, morally acceptable behavior

created a way to conceptualize how individuals gain a sense of self. There is no sense of self without society or a corresponding other. Idea is captured in this short poem: Each to each a looking-glass, Reflects the other that doth pass. He believed we act like mirrors to each other, reflecting back to each other an image of ourselves. By imagining how we look to others, imagining other peoples judgment of us, and the feelings we recieve about ourseleves based on our perception of other peoples judgment.

the notion that the self develops through our perception of others evaluations and appraisals of us.

believed that self was created through social interaction. Laid the essential groundwork that became the theory of symbolic interactionism.

the first stage in self development when children mimic others or imitate others

the second stage in self development where children pretend to play the roles of significant others

the third and final step of self development wherein children play organized games and take on the perspective of the generalized other Mead uses the example of games. As an child in the school year you take part in organized games in which you must follow the rules of the game and also take in account the roles of all the other players.

the perspectives and expectations of a group of others that a child learns and then takes into account when shaping his or her own behavior.

Believes that all meaning, as well as individual selves, is constructed through interaction. Many of his key ideas are written in The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Goffman looks at how we define situations interactionally- not just within our own heads, but in interaction with others.

an agreement with others about "what is going on" in the given circumstance. It allows us to coordinate our actions with those of others anf relize goals

small actions such as an eye roll or head nod, which serve as an interactional tool to help project our definition of the situation to others.

expressions that are intentional and usually verbal, such as utterances In almost all situations we mean what we say at the moment unless it is a situation of an extreme emotional response in which you are in fear or pain.

observable expressions that can be either intended or unintended and are usually nonverbal Things like facial expressions, body language, or style of dress.

roles help shape our identities by providing guidelines for our own behavior and by providing the patterns that others use to interact with us

A position in a social hierarchy that comes with a set of expectations is called

Ascribed status Embodied status Achieved status Master status

People judge others according to their expectations. That kind of judgment is called

A set of behaviors expected from a particular status position is called

Sometimes our multiple roles clash in our everyday lives, a situation known as

When there are contradictory expectations within the same role is called

When we leave a role we had once occupied is called

Our emotions can be affected by people around us and sometimes we need to see things through another persons eye

Socially there are expected and appropriate ways to show emptions in different situations

Sometimes our jobs require us to show emptions that we don't always really feel

interactions hat take place when people are physically in each others company

This term refers to the fact that people have "pastiche personalities" and that we "borrow bits and pieces of identity from whatever sources are available" says Kenneth Gergen In others words we are now shaped by the entire world and not just by the people closest to us

Intimate associations involving face-to-face interactions, great cooperation, and deep feelings of belonging Family, close friends Usually just to spend time together Provide: emotional satisfaction, socialization, and identity Long-term membership

Formal and impersonal interaction School class, coworkers, organizations, political parties Centered around specific activity Membership can by anonymous, or introduce primary group members Temporary membership

the web of direct and indirect ties connecting and individual to other people who may also affect he or she

connections between individuals How influence travels through a network [one may change their mind on a vote if enough friends have influence]

have direct ties to those who are like themselves [race, class, background, national origin, religion]

are constituted as how groups form, change, disintegrate, achieve great goals, or commit horrendous wrongs

smallest possible social group. & consists of only two members. Based on personal ties. For example: married couple, two best friends, or two siblings.

stable due to a third person being added. Based on rules and regulations

is a group a member identifies with and feels loyalty toward. For example: "us"

any group an individual feels opposition, rivalry, or hostility toward. For example: "them

Defined as when a group provides standards by which a person evaluates his own personal attributes. Common reference group: one's family. Example: willing to risk one's health and safety to be accepted into a fraternity or sorority.

Basic concept in the study of group dynamics. The sense of unity or loyalty that individuals feel toward a group to which they belong. Group is said to be more cohesive when individuals feel strongly tied to membership. Example: fraternity, sorority, country club

the influence of one's fellow group members on individual attitudes and behaviors

Behaviors approved of by a particular social group

Behaviors a particular social group wants its members to avoid

The mildest type of conformity, undertaken to gain rewards or avoid punishments

A type of conformity stronger than compliance and weaker than internalization, caused by a desire to establish or maintain a relationship with a person or a group

The strongest type of conformity, occurring when an individual adopts the beliefs or actions of a group and makes them her own

means that as more individuals are added to a task, each one takes it a little easier

Backed by the threat of force

- Supported by persuasion

based in custom, birthright, or divine right, usually associate with monarchies and dynasties

based in laws and rules, not in the lineage of any individual leader

based in the remarkable personal qualities of the leader. Neither rules nor traditions are necessary for the establishment of a charismatic leader.

- leaders are task or goal oriented

- Leaders are concerned with maintaining harmony within the group

designed for people to work efficiently with designated goals

all members have a certain status or role

the members are specially trained to do their job

will always have a boss, for example managers

- are meant to make workers' actions predictable

Rules come before people and people do not receive special treatment

the organization will always have documented memos as their means of communicating

applying economic logic to human activity ex/ In a bureaucracy the rules are more important than a person

Specified groups established for a predetermined process

a behavior that violates the values and norm of a particular group.