Sociology 2001 Exam 1 Notes...

Sociology 2001 Exam 1 Notes 02/24/2014

Chapter 1: SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

SociologySystematic study of social interaction at a variety of levels. (Individual and macro level) How society helps influence and construct our personalities and behavior. Sociological ImaginationC. Wright MillsAbility to see the connection between individual lives and larger social influences. We look at the social situations through 2 lensesMicrosociologyStudy of human behavior in contexts of face to face interactions. Individuals interacting with friends, siblings, families, etc. Small scale patterns of social interaction. MacrosociologyStudy of large scale groups, organizations, or social systems. Characterize society as a whole. How would each of these situations be both micro and macro? Divorce: two people that don’t agree with each other (micro), other outside factors, job loss, etc. (macro)Unemployment: micro: lazy, get fired. Macro: the economy, a recession, people wanting to work but not being able to. OriginsTheory

Statements that explains why a phenomenon occurs. Help us analyze findings, produce knowledge, offer solutions to social problems, they can change over time and based on empirical information which is info based on observations or experiences. Auguste ComteThe father of sociology. Believed that the study of society should be empirical, should be based on observations rather than ideology or tuition. (Info that we can study and research)Emile DurkheimSocial factsHow we can be impacted by our demographics. Social solidarityCohesion and harmony, social order. Division of laborKarl MarxCapitalistsPeople who own the means of production (wealthy)Petite bourgeoisieMiddle class, small business owners. ProletariatMasses of workers who depend on wages to survive and have very few resources. Class ConflictBetween the three classes above. Difference between the haves and have nots (people who have the wealth and resources and people who do not.) Alienation

Since they don’t own the means of production, then they aren’t meaningful and have this feeling of alienation. Max WeberVerstehenSubjective understanding which requires knowledge of how people are living (their background)? Not judging people on their race, etc, looking at each individual based on their own situation. (through their own shoes)Valuefree sociologySeparating your own personal values, opinions and beliefs from scientific research, (data and facts). Theories1. Functionalismsystem of interdependent parts that work together to ensure that a society is functioning or will survive. 2 typesManifest functionsintended and recognized functions of any interactions. Cell phone: communication Education: to learnLatent functions: Unintended and unrecognized. Cell phone: instagram, facebook, gamesEducation: matchmaking, social relationships2. ConflictExamines how groups struggle over power and compete for scarce resources.

Founder of this approach is Karl Marx, predicted conflict would result from widespread economic inequality. Helps keep society functioning because everyone wants to be successful. This approach would look at where you came from for who well you may have succeeded/failed a class. 3. Feministexplain the social, economic, and political position of women in society. Women suffer injustice because of their sex. In what ways do women have less power in our society? Some earn less money than men in a corporate situation, can’t be priests, etc. 4. Symbolic Interactionismemphasizes the role of symbols and language as core elements of all human interaction. U.S. display our flag as a symbol of pride. This approach would ask a student why they failed a class. Jan 27, 2013Scientific method: procedure to acquire knowledge. Research Process1. Choose topic2. Summarize related research3. Hypothesis4. Describe research design5. Collect Data6. Present Findings

7. Analyze/explain resultsVariableOne of two or more phenomena that a researcher believes are related. Examples: age, ethnicity, gender, social classHow does divorce affect children? (age, social class, etc)Reliability consistency. Repeated measures. Getting the same results each time. Validity accuracy of the questions or the measurement tool. Survey of undergrads but only ask sophomore class, this is not valid. Data Collection Which method should we use? Qualitative Ethnography: studying people in their own environment in order to understand their activitiesField notes: to describe activities and interactions. Interviews: direct, face to face contact with respondentsClosedended imposes a limit on the possible responses. “Are you against…?” Use this to save time. To receive more candid responses. Openended questions allows the answer to take whatever form the respondent chooses. “What do you believe…?” InterviewsAdvantagesSpeak in own wordsMore indepth analysis

DisadvantagesNot always truthfulRepresentativeness Whether or not conclusions you find can be applied to other truths. Quantitative SurveysBased on questionnaires from a sample of respondents. AdvantagesLarge populationsQuick and economicalStrong reliabilityConfidentialDisadvantagesNo full range of expressionWeak validitySome respondents may not be honest in their self reports, might just fill out survey to get it over with. Secondary Analysis: data collection that examines infor collected from someone elseAdvantagesAccessibleLearn from the pastInexpensive

DisadvantageLack of dataExperiments: controlled setting to test specific variablesAdvantagesManipulate data Replicability DisadvantagesArtificial setting. The subjects might behave differently. They may know they are being studied so they won’t behave naturally. Ethics: 3 rules: Do not harmInformed consent: knowing what study is about and how results will be usedConfidentiality: subject remains anonymous. IRB: Institutional Review BoardScholars within a university who meet regularly to review and approve the research proposals of their colleagues. Laud Humphreys and the Tearoom TradeEthnography “WatchQueen” IRBResults: 54% married, 38% neither bisexual or homosexual, 14% part of the gay community. ** Video clipthe people that did not agree to a survey he followed and took note of their license plate numbers. (UNETHICAL) went to the police station to get their addresses and showed up at their homes.

He should have gotten approval from the institutional review board and then it would be considered ethical if he identified himself as a researcher instead of being disguised, etc. Occurred in the 1960’s before IRB were in existence. Chapter 3: CultureSuperbowl cocacola commercialGay couple with a daughterSung in different languagesVery controversial, some boycotting. EXAM 1,2,3,4, SCHEDULE IT NOWCulture is ways of thinking that is learned and shared. Passed down. In America, do we have a national language? NO. Culture is seen in weddings, holidays, sports, etc. EthnocentrismAssumption that one’s own way of life is superior to all others. Certain cultures eat foods that America does not see acceptable. Ethnocentric attitudes we see in the SouthHospitality, food, festival, Mardi Gras, “Southern women are pretty” Consumer SocietyConsumption is a mass phenomenon among people of diverse income categories. Fashion, shopping, cars, cell phones, technology, etc.

MaterialAny physical object that we can give social meaning to. Nike shorts sorority trendsNonmaterialShared sets of meanings (ideas/beliefs) SymbolsAnything that meaningfully represents something else. It can also divide a society (confederate flag) Dove peaceRose love“Hook Em Horns” hand symbol is also same symbol to Italians means your spouse is unfaithful. LanguageShared symbols that enables people to communicate. Most powerful of all human symbolsValuesStandards by which members of a particular culture define what is good or badAchievement and successActivity and workMoralityHumanitarianismEfficiency

EqualityIndividuality NormsSociety’s specific rules of right and wrong behavior. TypesFolkways: not critical but still makes people uncomfortable (not brushing teeth, elevator) Mores: very important (adult having sex with a child, cheating on your partner) Laws : most rigid type Norms that are defined and enforced by a political authorityStealing, murder, etc. SanctionsRewards for appropriate behavior and penalties for inappropriate behavior. Ex: spanking, know examples of negative and positive sanctions! SubcultureShare beliefs, values, and/or norms that set them apart from the dominant cultureCounterculturesObjects dominant values and norms and seeks alternative lifestylesGangs, hippies, white supremacist, the omishMulticulturalismEqual representation to the contributions of all the groupsExample: United States

Also referred to culture pluralism (in textbook) Culture ShockA sense of confusion that accompanies exposure to an unfamiliar environment. Chapter 6: SocializationWhat is socialization? Social experience by which people learn the expectations of societyWe are all born with a clean slate and different agents of socialization impact what we areInternalization The process of learning cultural behaviors and expectations so deeply that we accept them without question. Example: religion is accepted from a young age until we get older and start to question it and make our own beliefs. PersonalityConsistent patterns of acting, thinking, and feelingWhy is socialization important? We would be lost if we grew up in isolation. We would not know how to take care of ourselves. TABLE 4.1 Nature vs. NurtureNature: our behavioral traits can be explained by geneticsNurture: sociologists side, human behavior is learned and shaped by our actions. Not all by instincts and DNA. ConclusionBoth are importantSociologists maintain nurture is more significant. Culture helps shape our biological traits according to sociologists.

Symbolic Interactionist Theories: Charles CooleyLooking glass self self image is derived from the perceptions of others. 1. Perceptionwe imagine how we appear to others2. Interpretationimagine how other people are judging us3. Responseexperiencing those self feelings based on how other people think of us. Directly related to selfawareness. George Herbert MeadLooked at how the self developsSelf composed of the “I” and the “me”IUnique traits, spontaneous and active side. Child or toddler trying to eat as much food as possible** who we truly areMeHow others see us, we think of ourselves as others see us. When we are young we don’t think about what is appropriate behavior or not. ** how we act b/c of social roles around us. Mead says these two components are inseparable.

Example: how we behave when we are home alone vs. around other people. Role Taking: 3 stagesPreparatory stage (up to 21)Imitate the people around them. Play stage (age 26)Acting out imagined roles taking the role of the other. Game stage (6+)Understand not only their own social position but also positions of others. Erving Goffman: DramaturgyAnalyzing social life as a theaterImpression management presenting ourselves in a favorable light. Downplaying less negative characteristics that we might have. ** scrubs clip. Agents of SocializationPersons, groups, or institutions that teach us how to participate in society. 1. FamilyMost importantPrimary source of emotional supportThey teach us our social identity. 2. Teachers/ Schoolself fulfilling prophecy

In an upper class background, many will rise to the occasion and succeed. Believe you will do well, probably will do well. (You will get an A on this exam, you are smart…etc.) What is expected of you. transmits knowledge3. Peer groupcommon interests and usually similar age. High risks behaviorsDrugs and alchohol. Where we learn to adopt these actions4. Mass Mediamore time using than in the classroom. Most significant form of socialization, many are starting to wonder if mass media is surpassing functions that we get from our family. By the time most children graduate, spend more time with mass media then they will in the classroom. **pg. 79 resocialization—one r two questions about this! Read in textbook for exam.

Brad Paisley Online music video for writing assignment 2.

Chapter 6: Social GroupsPeople who share some attribute, identify with one another, and interact. Examples: family, friends, sorority members, athletic teams. It is what causes groups to function, language is a vital part of this culture and what binds us together. Two types of social groups: Primary:

Face to face interaction, emotional satisfaction, deeper feelings. Family, close friends who stick with us through bad times. Responsible for most of our socializationSecondary: Larger, less intimateSpecific goal, often temporary. Example: LSU football team, classmates. * the following are social groups, which one is a secondary? Group dynamicsDyads: smallest possible social group (2 people) Triads: 3 people. Less stable with the addition of a 3rd member because conversation is less stable and may change. In group: identifies with and feels loyalty towardsOut group: feels opposition or hostility towards (Alabama fans) Can be based on discriminations, prejudices, gender, race. Reference: group that provides standard of comparisonDon’t have to be members of the reference group! A group of nursing students might have a reference group of working nurses. Our family: try to live up to standards of parents and older siblings. (They are a reference to judge our own standards and accomplishments) Social NetworkWeb of social ties that links individuals to others. Facebook is the most popular currently. Group conformity

Influence of ones group on attitudes and behaviors. Elevator clip.. conforms to face the same way as everyone else. 2 studies1. Solomon Asch: Figure 6.1: cards. Found that people will go against their judgment and say the wrong answer if everyone else says the wrong answer, even if we don’t believe what the group is saying. Cards: the lines which one matches the line? He conformed and said the wrong answer like all of the actors. 2. Stanley MilgramObedience to authority. E: experimentT: Teacher (gives the learner the shock) L: learner. (receives shock) Punishment is the electric shock. People are willing to inflict pain on others just because they are obeying an authority figure. McDonaldization of Society1. Efficiency: quickchoosing the most effective means to an end. So, ordering by number. Optimum method of completing the task. The fastest way to get from hungry to full. 2. Calculability: size and cost. Quantity is just as good as quality. 3. Predictability: same every location. 4. Control: limited menusexerting influence, seating uncomfortable, sign to get you in there and leave as quick as possible.

The man behind this idea is George Ritzer (read about it in the textbook) Example exam question: Bill is a sociologist who studies poverty and understands that an individuals poverty status is the result of larger economic situations and unemployment rates in the local community rather than the individuals personal problem. Bill is utilizing his: MacrosociologyMicrosociologyResearch methodologyCommon senseSociological imagination – correct answer

Sociology 2001 Exam 2 Notes Chp. 5,7,8,9,10 (open note sheet exam) 02/24/2014

Open Notes exam: official sheet of paper can write notes on front and back and bring to testing center.

** Movie: BlowTheoretical Explanations of Crime and DevianceWhy criminal groups might behave deviantly Robert MertonStrain theoryPeople engage in deviance when there is a strain between the goals and the meansExample: Social inequality and poverty. They want to achieve the goals and means society says is good. Merton’s ModesConformist (not deviant) accept goals and meansInnovator accept goals but reject means Person that may cheat on exam, lie on a resume, sell drugs, they want to be successful but through illegitimate means. Ritualist reject goals but accept meansMay lesson their aspirations of success where the goals are then more practically attainable. May realize they will never be successful but still going to work hard. (WalMart cashier, telemarketer) Retreatist reject goals and means. Don’t care about being wealthy. (dropout, alcoholic) this person has given up. Renounce obedience to culture norms and goals (homeless person) Rebellion replace goals and means(Modes of adaptation (Figure 7.1)) Differential Associations TheoryPeople learn deviance through association with deviant peers. Broken Windows Theory


People are more likely to commit greater crimes if they get away with the first offense. One act (selling weed) could lead to greater acts of deviance (selling cocaine) Philip Zimbardo did this study. Arranged a set up (smashed cars) one act lead to more acts of violence and crime. Labeling TheoryDeviance is consequence of external judgments that modify a persons selfconcept and change the way we respond. Hurricane KatrinaPeople looking for food and water trying to survive, two different news stories. White people are finding food. Black person is “looting” What is deviance?Any behavior (drinking too much) belief (Goths), or situation (unwed mother) that violates social normsJust examplesWho defines deviance?Social situations and social structure(relative) varies from place to place, time to time, and from group to group. (what is acceptable at football games and what is acceptable at church)CrimeViolation of law that is punishable with fines, jail, and other sanctions. Sociologists who study crime are considered criminologists. Crime rates in the USHave DECREASED since the 1990’sSocial Control


Certain techniques and strategies that regulate behaviorCould be positive (smiling) or negative (frowns, getting fines)Purpose is to eliminate or at least reduce criminal behavior. PunishmentTo deprive a person of things and value4 major goals…RetributionPremise that punishment should fit the crime (an eye for an eye) (paying your debt to society) Deterrence Instilling a fear of punishmentExample: 1998 loss of federal financial aid for a first time charge for possession of marijuanaOver 200,000 students lost access to government issue student loans just because of this misdemeanor! In 2009, act passed….. only those convicted of drug distribution will lose their fed. Financial aid. From gov. RehabilitationReforming the offender to prevent later offensesIn this type of punishment you are actually treated and return to society when “cured” Get the convicted back to a productive placeSocietal protectionUnable to commit additional crimes FunctionalistDeviance and crime are normal parts of the social structure


Help affirm cultural values and norms. Reminds people what is considered right and wrong in society. Emile Durkheim“There is nothing abnormal about deviance” Without evil there can be no good. Deviance can also help bring people together and encourage social change. Example: after 9/11, Americans came together to create social unity. Introduced the term “anomie” (normlessness) Condition in which people are unsure of how to behave because of absent, conflicting, or confusing social norms. How functionalists relate to people that engage in crime. *shawshank redemption (brooks was here) clip. Conflict (approach)Focus: “why do some individuals commit crimes and others do not?”Powerful groups control the lawCyber crimeIllegal activities conducted onlineCorporate crime Illegal actions of a corporation or people acting on its behalfOrganized crimeBusiness supplying illegal goods or services for profit. Victimless crimeExchange of illegal good or services among adults (prostitution, illegal gambling, marijuana)


RecidivistsPrevious offenders who commit new crimes. (after serve their time, get out and commit same crime over and over again) keep on getting arrested for the same crime. Relates to idea of labeling theory (internalize label of being a criminal so continue to behave that way) The movie Blow is an example of this. Sample EXAM QUESTIONSAccording to Merton’s structural strain theory, an individual who deals drugs in order to get rich would be called a/an:ConformistInnovator RitualistRetreatist A student, continually told he is stupid and will never amout to anything and eventually drops out of school is an example of:Labeling theoryThe idea that if a punishment is too severe then people won’t commit the crime is related to:RehabilitationRetributionIncapacitationDeterrence

Chapter 8: Social Stratification

What is social stratification?


Hierarchical ranking of people who have different access to resourcesWhen we play monopoly, starts off with even playing field. Everyone does not start on an equal playing field in real life. Objective: “To become the wealthiest player through buying, renting and selling property” Two types of stratification systemsOpen system: individual achievementClosed system: limited by ascribed statuses (something you can’t change, skin color, age, etc)Caste: based on heredityThere is one in India (The Untouchables (Dalit))So low that people do not even want to touch them. People cleaning the streets, no opportunity to advance because born in this system. To what extent is mobility possible in the United States? Video: wealth inequality in America 3 different dimensions of social stratificationWealth: net worth; includes property and incomePrestige: respect attached to social positions (occupation, family background) usually pay more, often autonomous, seen as more socially importanta professor may be considered a prestigious position but does not mean they are making a lot of moneyon the other hand you can have a low prestiged job and still have a lot of wealth (a drug dealer) because you still make a lot of money. Power: ability to achieve goals or maintain influence. Power elite: coined by C Wright Mills, small group of white men who make important decisions in our society (the laws, national political leaders) continue to dominate much of American economy. 5 social classesupper


middleworking (often no college education) lowerunderclass (most African Am.) Culture of Poverty: subculture of attitudes that future children are socialized into, perpetuating their ability to escape poverty. (parents don’t work, kids see this as “just how it is and what I am supposed to do” so no motivation to work hard.) Socioeconomic Status (SES): Measurement of person’s rank within class system. Consequences Life ChancesExtent to which we are able to have positive experiences Health: Higher social class= greater life expectancy (money=better health care=healthier)FamilyMore money=better child’s talentsEducationQuality of teachers/limited opportunities Poverty line for a family of 4: $22,113 Can’t have access to governmental assistance program if you are over this number. 44 percent of the people are…Two types of poverty: Absolute povertyCan’t afford basic necessities


Relative povertyCan’t maintain avg. standard of livingHorizontal mobilityMoving from positions at same class levelVertical mobilityMoving up and down class hierarchy (going to school is supposed to help you move up the ladder) (not going to work or school makes you move down)Intragenerational mobilityThe course of your life. The extent to which you move up or down. Intergenerational mobilityExtent to which you move up or down from family. (better or worse off in their family)Sample EXAM QUESTIONNick was a legal secretary. Decided to continue his schooling and earn his law degree. Nick is now a criminal attorney. What has Nick experienced? Vertical mobility. Davis Moore Thesis1. Every society must fill important positions2. Some positions more important than others3. Most qualified must fill most important4. Society must offer greater rewards to motivate most qualified to fill the most important positions. * trash guy has just as much importance as a college professor. Adultolescents: grown up children who depend on their parents for support between the ages of 25 and 34, there are over 4 million people in that age bracket that live with their parents. These are mostly college graduates. 3/10/14


Average American woman: 5’4’’ 140 lbs.Average American model: 5’11’’’ 117 lbs.At a young age children are taught that physical appearance is rewardedMore men are reporting body dissatisfaction than a decade ago (they want more muscles)Heightism on Twitter?The prejudice based on heightMostly faced by menShort guys are hated onAverage male is 5’9’’InequalityPay gap: income difference between males and femalesThe more education they have the bigger the pay gap isIncomeWomen earn 79 cents to every $1 of a man’s wageWomen in their 20s without children outearn men by as much as $1.08 to every dollarReasons for gap1. Type of careers women choose2. Family responsibilities3. Discrimination glass ceilinginvisible lid on women’s climb up employment ladder (also faced by minority men)


sexual orientationasexual lack interest in sextheoretical analysisTalcott Parsons (Functionalism)Husband instrumental tasks of economic support and making decisionsWife expressive tasks of providing affection and emotional supportConflictBenefits men socially/economically and disadvantages womenFeminism1. Valued equally2. Women more control over their lives3. Inequality can be remedied by changing everyday attitudes in our social institutionsliberal feminismseeks change only to ensure equal opportunity of both sexesradical feminismend to the family systemgenderfree societymultiracial feminismsocialist economy for equal pay and rights to women (and minority men) also based on classMISSING WEDNESDAY NOTES.


Monday, March 17th

Scapegoat TheoryPrejudice toward group in order to “vent” their angerEssence use group they dislike to target frustrationsPrejudice stems from people who themselves are already disadvantaged. Authoritarian Personality TheoryPrejudice is a personality trait in some individualsSupported by research that says people that have some intolerance against one minority are often have intolerance against all minorities. Culture TheoryCulture has taught us to view people as “better” or “worse” than others. Child taught at a young age to marry someone of their same ethnic or social groupConflict theoryPrejudice used as a tool to oppress others. Powerful people use prejudice to justify others. FunctionalistAssimilation: minorities gradually become absorbed in dominant culturePluralism: all races are distinct but have equal social standing. Aka multiculturalism. Encourages cultural distinctiveness. Segregation: physical and social separation of people. Can be done by gender, class, religion, etc. Enforces separation that will harm minority members. Symbolic Interactionist Approach


Contact hypothesisIn cooperative circumstances interracial contact between people equal status will reduce prejudice. GenocideDeliberate, systematic killing of racial/ethnic group. Holocaust, Americans against Indians. LatinoLargest U.S. minorityMost live in SW16 % of the population. African Americans13 %significant gains since 1960 but…some still disadvantaged today. Still experience high rates of poverty, median income of Af. Americans is the lowest of all racial and ethnic groups. American IndiansConcentrated in the SW (1.6 %)Most disadvantagedAsian Americans5%“model minority”high income/education


success educationally and financially. Middle Eastern AmericansMost are MuslimTend to be better educated and wealthier than other Americans. ** encouraged to read sections of all different racial and ethnic groups for exam.

Chapter 5: Social Interaction and StructureSocial InteractionProcess by which we act toward and react to people around us. Idea that people help influence other people’s behaviors. Social StructurePattern of behavior that governs people’s relationships. What makes life orderly and predictable. StatusPosition in social hierarchy that comes with a set of expectations. Status: student, set of expectations that accompanies this status. Status SetCollection of social statuses that a person occupies. Adult female could be a mother, spouse, teacher, etc. Reactions must different in different roles (mother status vs. at job status)An ascribed status: inborn status (race)


Attributes you have little control over. An achieved status: position that we earn (athlete, college student) Not always a status you want to attain (drug addict)Master StatusOverrides all others in our identities. Usually your occupation. Person in a wheelchair is stigmatized, overrides all other statuses. Status inconsistencyOccupying social positions that create conflict because of their ranking. May enjoy being friendly with students but have to maintain distance to evaluate fairly. RoleBehaviors expected of a person in a particular status. Role setDifferent roles attached to a single status. Role conflictTwo or more roles conflict with one another. Frustration or uncertainty person may experience when confronted with two or more statuses. Role strainDemands among roles within a single status. Chart (picture in book?)Selffulfilling prophecyThomas Theorem“If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.”


Social Exchange TheoryMaximizing rewards and minimizing costsMost satisfying when there is some balance between our interactions with each other. ** big bang theory. Example that will show up on exam. Penny’s Christmas gift to Sheldon. Online communication80% of adult Americans use the internet. Where is the biggest divide between online communication is among social classes. Look at bicture with percentage who use the internet. Sample Exam questionAndrea is an aspiring associate editor for a major publisher. She is single but feels “married to her work” Last year she received a $50,000 bonus for the excellent work she did in promoting new textbooks published by her employer. Based on this info, Andrea’s ascribed status is_____ And her achieved status is______? Female; associate editor.

02/24/2014

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Sociology 2001 Exam 1 Notes...

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