Sociology Unit Test

Early 1300s Sociologist. Theorized that Societal well being is determined by the productivity of the individual. Social solidarity which is key for the progress of society. Argued that older groups will be replaced by younger groups with better social solidarity skills. Invented the notion of social cohesion

Theorized that society progresses into 3 stages: Theological stage, metaphysical stage, and the positive/scientific stage. He defines the theological stage as one in which societies believe in God, spirits, and magic, which then transitions into the metaphysical stage, in which societies believe in abstract concepts such as essence and occult qualities, and finally, the positive stage, in which societies construct their own scientific principles and laws, just like physics or chemistry. Positive stage is modern day life.

Theorized that capitalism would eventually destroy itself as more people downgraded to working-class status, inequality rose, and competition drove corporate profits to zero. Therefore, he proposed a system that promoted a classless society in which everyone shared the benefits of labor and the state government controlled all property and wealth.

 Humans are fundamentally social. Argued that society should be analyzed and described as a set of functions working together for unity. Claimed that society is a system of interrelated parts where no one part can function without the other, working as an organism made up of multiple small organelles. These parts (organelles) make up the whole of society, and if one part changes, it has an impact on the entire society. 

Suggested that the technological and economic relationships that organized and grew out of capitalist production became fundamental forces in society. Therefore, if you are born into a society organized with division of labor and hierarchical social structure, you can't help but live within this system. As such, one's life and worldview is shaped by it to such an extent that one can't even imagine what an alternative way of life would look like. So, those born into the cage live out its rules, and in doing so, continue the cycle. Popularized symbolic interactionism

Based his theories off of population growth. Believed that in pre-industrial societies having high potential for population growth, the typical individual’s personal values (“tradition-directed”) are determined by the traditions of the society, or by classes, professions, castes, or clans. These values are passed from one generation to another. When the population is growing but has not reached the stage of crowding, the “inner-directed” individual’s personal values are determined by their immediate family, are not related to any wider social forces, and are also likely to remain unchanged. When the population is dense and/or declining, the individual is “other-directed”, and their life is shaped by “peer groups” of people whom they resemble in age, social class, and they adjust their values to conform to those in their group.

Theorized that in structural functionalism, the structure of society is shaped by its function, and that social roles that individuals adopt are shaped by how these roles support the society as a whole. Defined balance in a society as “dynamic equilibrium”, and argued that individuals act a certain way based on their motivations and norms of the society they live in.

Believed in the social conflict theory, which states that society is ruled by the affluent elite that control lower classes through institutions. Also theorized that “personal problems” are actually “public issues” (Ex. Unemployment: If one person is unemployed, you can blame their incompetence, but if millions of people are unemployed, the system is to be blamed).

Coined the term “cultural toolkit” (cultural knowledge in your head) Eg. Dressing professionally at work vs. comfy at home, accepting cards with one hand in North American and 2 in china, clapping at a jazz festival rather than an orchestra 

Explains how we succeed in social interactions with different ways of presenting ourselves and who we are. Ex. Talking formally at an office dinner and informally at a family dinner

Symbols are an important part of communication. Without symbols, we cannot interact with each other. Ultimately Mead said that symbols define relationships and help identify people and place.

Strong Ties: Intense, personal connections with close family and friends. Weak ties: all your other social connections (people you know but not very well). Coworkers, classmates, neighbors, acquaintances & most friends. You may not talk or see these people often but you know of them

Found that risky decisions were often made by teens who were told the benefits of risky decisions . Concluded that social connection are important influences on our behavior.

Argued that there are different forms of social interactions, which each have different rules and norms through which information is spread. The moral for those with a message to spread is that it may be a waste of energy to try to broadcast it over an entire social group. The preferred method is to make sure your message is heard and passed on by the right people in the right settings.

Recognized that people inherently have different abilities. People require motivation to do work. Talent does not equal to one’s work. Ex. Going to medical school and becoming a businessman

“Self Fulfilling Prophecy”: an expectation or belief that can influence your behaviors, thus causing the belief to come true.

Conformity. Social behavior that is contrary to one's own beliefs but is exhibited to achieve rewards and avoid punishments. Conducted the Breaching Experiments, intentional breaking of social norms & analyzed peoples reactions to this break. Eg. Standing on the wrong side of the escalated  

Visible signs of disorder and misbehavior in an environment encourage further disorder and misbehavior, leading to serious crimes.

An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit.

Refers to the norms that people occupy. Provide context about the individual (Ex. Cultural, bio sociological, situation specific, gender roles)

Society is ruled by the affluent elite that control lower classes through institutions

Karl Marx; the tendency of people to see the product of their labor in terms of relationships between things, rather than social relationships between people. I

The structure of society is shaped by its function, and that social roles that individuals adopt are shaped by how these roles support the society as a whole.

an interdisciplinary exploration of gender and power throughout society. It uses conflict theory and theoretical perspectives to compare gender in its relation to power Focuses include sexual orientation, race, economic status, and nationality.

The study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior.

Process through which culture is learned, and learns basic skills.

Commonly accepted behavior in a society

Fundamental organization of society with its institutions, groups, statues and roles. Status affects structure.

Any combo of 2 or more people that are bond together through a mutual consent. Involves Physical care and maintenance of group members.

What's considered important

 What must be followed  

What someone should do vs. what they actually do

How individuals form a sense of self through interactions with others

The process of making connections and building relationships

Categorization you are born with (Ex. Physical Appearance)

Categorization you earn and have control over (Ex. Job)

Because there are people who are rewarded more than others, inequality must exist.

Not all racism is the same magnitude or form. If you are racist to one minority group, you are most likely unconsciously racist to other minority groups as well.

Take advantage of those who are vulnerable

Cohesion within a society based on shared beliefs, lifestyles, and occupations. Durkheim calls this type of solidarity "mechanical" because he uses the analogy of a machine. If one part of a machine breaks, it can be replaced with the same part of another machine

Interdependance. Societies coming up with ways to help a situation. As societies move towards organic solidarity, Durkhiem pointed out their religious beliefs tends to become more diffuse and general (Ex. Christianity Cross with Fingers)

All crime is deviance, but not all deviance is crime

Altruism: Individuals or groups demonstrate empathy toward and care for the welfare of others without regard for personal gain

Goal of achieving change through civil disobedience/strikes

The social climate in a country changes and the political system does not react in kind. People become discouraged by existing conditions, which alters their values and beliefs.

Society switched from a capitalistic society to socialistic society