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Sociology

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The systematic study of human society and social interaction A study of social behavior in human groups, Scientific study. A Scientific method is involved. Try to be objective and systematic.

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What make sociology different from pyschology

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Always focus on unit of analysis or the groups. Interested in human behavior from group perspective. Different from psych, in that sociology studies environments that humans are in. Always look for patterns and start at group levels. From the "commonplace to the sacred," Ex. In a elevator you are working very hard not to notice anyone or interact . You are definitely not doing anything

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What makes people motivated to study sociology

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A belief in the scientific model. Understanding your surroundings. Want to study social change. Sociologists can be methodical and quantitative or involved

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Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx

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Marx Said economy was made up of many different groups and things. Durkheim was known for his studies on suicide. He is a functionalist. Functionalists are interested in what keeps society together and social order. Pretty conservative. Marx was known as a conflict theorists. Conflict Theorists: Asks how social change is possible? Radical political view

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Group Patterns of Interaction

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Not Easy to see social structure is usually invisible. Not visible because maybe people don't want to see it. Humans like to think that we are unique. Our culture validates individualism. Invisible because we want it to be. Also many people in power with a vested in the general population not getting it. Want to hide power.

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Social Imagination

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Observing individuals lives in group context. The invisible strings Sociologist who created the questions claimed all were false. Beyond anecdotal evidence and do systematic research vs. theory/ Explanation Suicide graph is just a description, but when we try to answer why we get to theories.

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Social Change

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Change is in our heart and reification gets in the way Centinism and cultural relativism. Verstehen -understanding

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Functionalism

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Society as a system with many interrelated parts. Think of a human body. Assumptions that there is consensus in society that each part has a function. Macro theory because it looks at big units. Manifest functions, latent functions (unconscious or unintended). Overtime we have dysfunctions ( as a society evolves, parts ceases to be useful to society and become dysfunctional produced by social or technological change.).

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Conflict Theory

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Basic image of society is hierarchical struggle. Some kind of layering, like in geological structure. Struggle is present everywhere There is inequality and a need for social change. Change is dialectical (2 forces coming together and clashing to form something new.) How is Social change possible? Who benefits?

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Symbolic Interaction

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Micro level of sociology. Assume that most actions are significant. The self is created through interaction. Provides the key to understanding society as a whole. Micro-level behavior is significant. How do small scale example reveal how society is held together?

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Experiment

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Have a control group, Able to make comparisons Good for hypothesis testing in a controlled setting. Creates something artificial always idea of control group is important. Variable that sociologists would use are age, race education, etc. Talk less about causality and more about correlation. Spurious correlation (means A really has nothing to do with B). Not actually used that often.

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Survey

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Most popular research method. Can ask opinion questions . Allows surveyor to ask questions of a very large group. Questions are usually standardized which makes it easy to compare. Must use a random sampling (everyone has a equal chance of being selected). Social desirability bias-people try to give answers that make them look better. Participants might lie, or not participate. Cannot use surveys to go deep. Difference between paper survey and interview

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Confidentiality

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Promise not to reveal a person's name

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Anonymity

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not even knowing the name

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Observation

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In common with anthropology. Can have a distanced observation or participant observation. Participant is also known as ethnography. Experiencing it first hand, people act naturally rather than the risk of artificially of surveys. Danger is skewed results because not longer objective. Also getting access to very private things. Ethics are super important.

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Use of Existing Sources or Secondary Analysis

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Involves the least interaction with people. Studies social artifacts (refers to anything that people have made) can be census data or raw data material. Using already collected data. Enables sociologist study to people who aren't around anymore. ("childhood idea, is relatively new. French sociologist used existing sources to figure it out.) Football- merchandise (studying what is said, but not talking to the people) More example on pg. 43 Can be using someone else's resources or studying social artifacts yourself. Least obtrusive.

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Hawthorne Effect

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Named for an electrical plant in Hawthorn, Il where managers wanted increased worker productivity. Change lighting, etc. The Dependent variable is a worker productivity. Once they stopped changing the independent variable, workers productivity still went up. Because the workers knew they were being observed so they tried harder. Fact of observation changes behavior sometimes. Why social science is different than natural science. Watching people, but they are watching your back Always aware of people.

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Ethic

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Issues involving bias, funding, confidentiality, etc. Rick Scarce went to jail because he obeyed the confidentiality agreement of the American Sociology Association. Are Sociologist swayed by money and who it comes from? Can't be because that is not really ethical.

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Teenage Wasteland

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Use different research methods. Used existing sources and did participant observation. There where different levels of observational studies. High school social order is pretty well- known. Now there are more activities available for kids. Conflict theorist would look at social class of these kids. Kids use the suicide to out of life. "Exit before the kill you" kind of philosophy. The kids' "bad lives" need to go away. Look at social structure. Power of the label, has extreme consequences.

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Nature vs. Nurture

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To what extent are people a product of their culture? Sociologist study the nurture side. Interested in establishing the patterns of maturity. We can study culture universals. People that study "nature" argue that all humans share certain instincts. From sociological perspective, every society has family structures, incest taboos, etc. Content of every category is different. Evidence of the significance of culture on the nature of people

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Cross-cultural Comparisons

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Must have these to understand cultures

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Culture

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Product of what people make. Often an idea, which is called non-material culture. Both non material and material culture can be studied. Most of what we study is non-material.

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Values

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General beliefs about what is right and wrong. An example of our society is individualism. Also competition, freedom, liberty, private ownership, free enterprise, democracy. Debates occur when norms are brought up

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Norm

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Specific rules for behavior. Stem from values but are as vague. Philip Slate says that we can just "flush away" problems we don't want to see.

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Folkways and Mores

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Informal rule and more serious rules. Folkways are everyday behaviors, mores are more serious. Breaking mores produces a more serious sanction than breaking folkways (common courtesy, washing your hands). Usually the punishment for folkways it at the most, social isolation

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Subculture & Counter Culture

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No country has just one culture, "Melting Pot" idea is not really true. Subcultures are distinctly different cultures within bigger cultures. Including the south, skates, religious groups, cowboys, and "nerd" Counter Culture is distinctly different and is alarmingly completely opposite of mainstream culture.

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Counter Culture

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An example is hippies A way to make social change in the U.S. is to tranform a subculture to a counterculture.

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Dominant ideaology

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Helps the people in power keep their power. Ideas usually come out of interest groups

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Language

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Is there language in other animals? Language as a part of your culture makes humans different from other animals. We have the ability to talk about the past, present and future, so we don't have to keep reinventing things. Language involves abstract thinking, apart from the physical. Language is related to power and the idea of dominant ideology. Example is immigrants are having their surnames changes as they arrive in the U.S.

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Sapir -Whorf Hypothesis

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the language one speaks alters the reality one sees. Used to be that linguists thought that language was a mirror for reality. Language is more like a lens. It is a filter and it selects what you see.

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Euphemisms

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Reveals strangely interesting things about society. Many insults about people's mothers insults can become very personal. Reflects our values in society. Developmentally slow is often an insult. People are insulted based on sexual orientation, physical appearances, religion, race, nationality, hair color. Basic profanity, F You! Why is it that sex and violence have been paired?

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Insults

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Why is most insult language a relationship between sex and violence? The is to figure out why, not just list insults. It reveals what is important in our culture.

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Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

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A hypothesis concerning the role of language in shaping our interpretation of reality. It holds that language is culturally determinedThe language one grows up with shapes the reality that we see in Andrew's Article "Hold His Alcohol" What was the point of the article To view the culturally different responses of the consumption of alcohol. We have an idea that alcohol blurs judgement, but in other societies violence especially, is very controlled. In one example, the norm was to be serene with a group. In the U.S. alcohol is viewed as almost an excuse, a chemical. This thesis is the idea that alcohol makes one lose their inhibitions. This article challenges this idea. A name for the idea that there are rules about how alcohol effects you. Social time out is the idea that we can be outside of social norms when inhibited. Alcohol is no a biochemical reaction

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Soap opera addict.

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Uses functionalist theory to look at it. They provide vicarious Social connections Some people try to live through the characters. Role rehearsal- imagining ourselves as these characters and rehearsing what we would do. A way of therapy for viewers seems to be more representative of minority groups then primetime television. Causes a blurring of reality for some people. Does build social connections with other viewers. Important in this society where connections aren't always made. Reality TV is almost like taking pleasure in others misfortunes

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Socialization

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How do people take on values of culture? Cooley and Mead have theories. Cooley see socialization in children with the looking glass- self. Mead has a theory of stages. Children socialize in stages

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Anomic

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The loss of direction felt in a society when social control on individual behavior has become ineffective

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Applied Sociology

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The use of the discipline of sociology with the specific intent of yielding practical applications for human behavior and organization

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Basic Sociology

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Sociological inquiry conducted with the objective of gaining a more profound knowledge of the fundamental aspects of social phenomena. Also known as pure sociology

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Clinical Sociology

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The use of the discipline of sociology with the specific of altering social relationships or restructuring social institutions

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Conflict perspective

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A sociological approach that assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms of tension between groups over power or the allocation of resources, including housing, money, access to services and political representation

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Dramaturgical approach

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A view of social interaction in which people are seen as theatrical performers

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Dysfunction

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An element or process of a society that may disrupt the social system or reduce its stability

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Feminist view

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A sociological approach that views inequity in gender as central to all behavior and organization.

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Globalization

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The worldwide integration of government policies, cultures, social movements, and financial markets through trade and the exchange of ideas

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Idea type

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A construct or model for evaluating specific cases

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Interaction perspective

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A sociological approach that generalizes about everyday forms of social interaction in order to explain society as a whole

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Latent function

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an unconcious or unintended function that may reflect hidden purposes

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Macrosociology

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sociological investigation that concentrates on large scale phenomena or entire civilizations

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Manifest function

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An open, stated and conscious function

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Microsociology

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sociological investigation that stresses the study of small groups, often through experimental means

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Natural Science

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The study of the physical features of nature and the ways in which they interact and change

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Nonverbal communication

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The sending of messages through the use of gestures, facial expressions and postures

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Science

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The body of knowledge obtained by methods based on systematic observation

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Social Inequality

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a condition in which members of society have differing amounts of wealth, prestige, or power.

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Social Science

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THe study of the social features of humans and the ways in which they interact and change

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Sociological imagination

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An awareness of the relationship between an individual and the wider society, both today and in the past

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Sociology

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The scientific study of social behavior and human groups

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Theory

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In sociology, a set of statements that seeks to explain problems actions or behavior

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Verstechen

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The german word for "understanding" or "insight"; used to stress the need for sociologists to take into account the subjective meanings people attach to their actions

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Causal logic

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the relationship between a condition or variable and a particular consequence, with one event leading to the other

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Code of ethics

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the standards of acceptable behavior developed by and for members of a profession

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Content analysis

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the systematic coding and objective recording of data, guided by some rationale

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Control group

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The subjects in an experiment who are not introduced to the independent variable by the researcher

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Control variable

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A factor that is held constant to test the relative impact of an independent variable

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Correlation

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A relationship between two variables in which a change in one coincides with a change in the other

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Cross tabulation

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A table or matrix that shows the relationship that is subject two or more variables

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Dependent variable

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The variable in a casual relationship that is subject to the influence of another variable

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Ethnography

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The study of an entire social setting through extended systematic observation

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Experimental group

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The subjects in an experiment who are exposed to an independent variable introduced by a researcher

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Experiment

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An artificially created situation that allows a researcher to manipulate variables

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Hawthorne effect

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The unintended influence that observers of experiments can have on their subjects

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Independent variable

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The variable in a casual relationship that causes or influences a change in a second variable

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Interview

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A face-to-face or telephone questioning of a respondent to obtain desired information

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Mean

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A number calculated by adding a series of values and then dividing by the number of values

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Median

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The midpoint or number that divides a series of values into two groups of equal numbers of values

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Mode

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The single most common value in a series of scores

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Observation

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A research technique in which an investigator collects information through direct participation and or by closely watching a

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Operational definition

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An explanation of an abstract concept that is specific enough to allow a researcher to assess the concept

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Percentage

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A portion of 100

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Qualitative research

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Research that relies on what is seen in field or naturalistic settings more than on statistical data

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Quantitative research

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Research that collects and reports data primarily in numerical form

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Questionnaire

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A printed or written form used to obtain information from a respondent

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Random Sample

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A sample for which every member of an entire population has the same chance of being selected

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Reliability

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The extent to which a measure produces consistent results

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Research design

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A detailed plan or method for obtaining data scientifically

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Sample

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A selection from a larger population that is statistically representative of that population

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Scientific method

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A systematic, organized series of steps that ensures maximum objectivity and consistency in researching a problem

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Argot

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Specialized language used by members of a group or subculture

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Bilingualism

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The use of two or more languages in a particular setting, such as the workplace or schoolroom, treating each language as equally legitimate

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Counterculture

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A subculture that deliberately opposes certain aspects of the larger culture

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Cultural relativism

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The viewing of people's behavior from the perspective of their own culture

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Cultural universal

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A common practice or belief found in every culture

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Culture

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The totality of learned, socially transmitted customs, knowledge material objects and behavior

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Culture lag

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A period of maladjustment when the nonmaterial culture is still struggling to adapt to new material conditions

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Culture Shock

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The feeling of surprise and disorientation that people experience when they encounter cultural practices that are different from their own

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Diffusion

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The process of which a cultural item spreads from group to group or society or society

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Discovery

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The process of making known or sharing the existence of an aspect of reality

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Dominant ideology

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A set of cultural beliefs and practices that helps to maintain powerful social economic and political interests

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Ethnocentrism

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The tendency to assume that one's own culture and way of life represent the norm or are superior to all others

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Folkway

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A norm governing everyday behavior who violation raises comparatively little concern

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Formal norm

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A norm that has been written down and that specifies strict punishments for violators

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Informal Norm

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A norm that is generally understood but not precisely recorded

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Innovation

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The process of introducing a new idea or idea to a culture through discovery or invention

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Invention

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the combination of existing cultural items into a form that did not exist before

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Language

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An abstract system of word meanings and symbols for all aspects of culture; includes gestures and other nonverbal communication

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Law

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Governmental social control

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Material culture

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The physical or technological aspects of our daily lives

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Mores

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Norms deemed highly necessary to the welfare of a society

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Non-material culture

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Ways of using material objects, as well as customs, beliefs philosophies governments and patterns or communication

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Norms

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An established standard or behavior maintained by a society

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Sanction

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A penalty or reward for conduct concerning a social norm

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Society

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A fairly large number of people who live in the same territory, are relatively independent of people outside it and participate in a common culture

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Sociobiology

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The systematic study of how biology affects human social behavior

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Subculture

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A segment of society that share a distinctive pattern of mores, folkways and values that differs from the pattern of the larger society

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Technology

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Culture information about how to use the material resources of the environment to satisfy human needs and desires

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Value

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A collective conception of what is considered good, desirable, and proper-proper or bad undesirable and improper in a culture

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Anticipatory socialization

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Processes of socialization in which a person rehearses for future positions, occupations and social relationships

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Cognitive theory development

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The theory that children's thought progresses through four stages of development

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Degradation ceremony

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An aspect of the socialization process within some total institutions, in which people are subjected to humiliating rituals

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Dramaturgical approach

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A view of social interaction in which people are seen as theatrical performers

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Face-work

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The efforts people make to maintain the proper image and avoid public embarrassment

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Gender role

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Expectations regarding the proper behavior, attitudes and activities of males and females

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Generalized other

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The attitudes, viewpoints, and expectations of society as a whole that a child takes into account in his or her behavior

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Impression management

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The altering of the presentation of the self in order to create distinctive appearances and satisfy particular audiences

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Life course approach

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A research orientation in which sociologists and other social scientists look closely at the social factors that influence people throughout their lives from birth to death

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Looking glass self

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A concept that emphasizes the self as the product of our social interaction

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Personality

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A person's typical patterns of attitudes, needs, characteristics and behavior

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Resocialization

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The process of discarding former behavior patterns and accepting new ones as part of a transition in one's life

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Rite of passage

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A ritual making the symbolic transition from one social position to another

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Role taking

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The process of mentally assuming the perspective of another and responding from that imagined viewpoint

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Self

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A distinct identity that sets us apart from others

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Significant other

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An individual who is most important in the development of the self, such as a parent, friend or teacher

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Socialization

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The lifelong process in which people learn the attitudes, values and behaviors appropriate for members of a particular culture

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Symbol

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A gesture, object, or word that forms the basis of human communication

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Total institution

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An institution that regulates all aspects of a person's life under a single authority, such as a prison, the military a mental hospital or a convent

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