Introduction to Sociology – Midterm Study Guide

Introduction to Sociology – Midterm Study Guide Midterm Exam: October 9, 2024 You should be able to explain the concept or topic below, interpret it in your own words, and provide one or two examples from the readings or ppt slides. Any video longer than 3 to 4 minutes may be on the exam so review those. Some may not be readily available for watching a second time. If you come to class every day, you should do well. Sociology is the systematic study of human society and social behavior from large-scale institutions to individual reactions. Topics, concepts, and specific readings likely on the Midterm: ● Verna Myers—Implicit Bias ● C. Wright Mills—Sociological Imagination—Reading The sociological imagination is a quality of the mind that allows us to understand the relationship between our circumstances and larger-scale forces. To understand social life we must understand “The intersection between biography and history.” Searches for links between macro and micro levels of analysis. ● How to think like a Sociologist & Why do people study sociology Thinking like a sociologist means looking at life from a sociological perspective. This includes distinguishing between practical and scientific knowledge. People study sociology to understand what influences our decisions and how our implicit biases of associating stereotypes with categories of people without conscious awareness affect our behavior) ● The Looking Glass Self Theory a sociological theory that explains how people develop their sense of self-based on how they think others perceive them. The theory was developed by sociologist Charles Horton Cooley. George Herbert Mead believed that the self is created through social interaction and this process starts in childhood as children begin to acquire language skills. ● What is the Social Structure, and how does it shape and determine social behavior, etc? The social structure is a comprehensive concept including how norms, rules, and hierarchies shape and determine the ways in which individuals and groups act and feel. The fixed and enduring part of the social landscape. ● What are social institutions? provide examples. Social institutions are structured systems of social order that help govern behavior and ensure stability within a society. Examples are government, law, religion, education family etc etc. They can be formal or informal systems. ● Civic engagement, Public Sociology, Agency Civic engagement: A form of agency that refers to involvement with one’s surroundings, environment, and community. Public Sociology: any sociological research available to the public and applied to analyze social issues - disseminated in forms like books, articles, podcasts, and research reports. Agency: is the capacity of individuals to exercise their free will and to act independently, make choices for themselves. Ex: National Coalition for the homeless dedicated to preventing homelessness. Micro and Macro Levels of Sociology Micro levels of sociology - studies face-to-face and small group interactions to understand how they affect larger patterns and structures of society. Ex: couple relationship or cashier-to-consumer relationship, Macro levels of sociology = study large-scale social structures in order to determine how they affect the lives of groups of individuals. Ex: economy and how it impacts consumer behavior ● 3 Major Sociological Theories and Paradigms (Symbolic Interactionism, Structural Functionalist, and Conflict Theory) ○ You do not need to memorize the offshoot theories, just note there are offshoots to these theories (e.g. feminist theory, queer theory, critical race theory, etc.) ○ You do not need to memorize specific theorists! Structural functionalism = MACRO LEVEL PERSPECTIVE. Emile Durkheim is a functionalism theorist. Studies show family, economy, education, and political systems are critical for society to function. Social change is unlikely and seen as disruptive. Society is made up of structures / social institutions that are relatively stable. Dysfunction in a structure leads to change and a new equilibrium. Conflict theory = society is in a constant struggle over scarce resources, elite at the top to determine rules for those below. Karl Marx. Symbolic interactionism = George Herbert Mead. Symbols are the foundation of society and vary amongst societies. Give power to cocreate the world and identity. ● Class Consciousness, Dramaturgy Class consciousness: the recognition of social inequality on the part of the oppressed leading to revolutionary action. Dramaturgy = a form of symbolic interactionism. Developed by Erving Goffman states that all life is like acting and people engage in impression management. Some critics argue that it focuses too much on power to individuals and ignores the coercive effects of social structure. Eight Steps in the Sociological Research Process 1. Choose a topic 2. Develop a research question 3. Review literature 4. Review hypothesis 5. Develop research Design 6. Collect Data 7. Analyze Data 8. Disseminate Findings ● Research Questions, Hypotheses, Independent and Dependent Variables ● Qualitative, Qualitative, and Mixed-Methods Research Methods Mixed methods: rely on both quantitative and qualitative results to analyze a social phenomenon. ● Damned Lies and Statistics—Research Reading ● Intro to Social Research—Research Reading ● ASA Code of Ethics—Research Reading ● Schwalbe reading—Research Reading ● CRAAP Test CRAAP is an acronym that stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose determines the credibility and reliability of information and sources. ● Counterculture and Subcultures Subculture: groups with a common interest, they are a subset of the dominant culture with distinct values and beliefs. Counterculture: occurs when a subculture expresses values or beliefs that oppose the dominant culture. They can sometimes merge and change the dominant culture. ● Culture of War AND Culture of Rape The culture of war is an interlocking system of national meanings, beliefs, and behaviors that consider violence and war necessary and justifiable. The culture of rape is when sexual violence is treated as the norm and victims are blamed for their own assault. ● Material and Nonmaterial Culture ● Agents of Socialization Agents of socialization include things like family/parenting styles. These can be either authoritative, permissive, or authoritarian. Socialization by race and ethnicity. Socialization by class where less affluent people miss opportunities. School is the second agent where there are hidden curriculums not a part of the academic curriculum. Peer groups are the third. Here, bullying or peer pressure is present. Religion is the fourth where a strong sense of community and moral foundation is present. Mass media is fifth because it transmits stories values and attitudes which are internalized by us. ● Code Switching ● Ragini Dhar, Presentation of Self in Everyday Life Reading—Culture Reading ● Sanders and Young, NPR, “The Talk”—Socialization Reading ● Kiara Alfonseca 2023—Culture Reading ● Hagerman, Margaret 2018—Socialization Reading CRIME ● Michelle Alexander—Crime Reading ● How do sociologists explain crime and deviance? Deviance depends on the group it is referring to. Crime is an act of deviance that violates criminal law using formal punishment. There are different kinds of crime like victimless crimes that don't hurt another person. Organized crimes are illegal acts used to make profits. And white color crimes committed by rich people. Nd corporate crimes such as price fixing. ● Macro-Level theories of deviance Conflict Theory (Karl Marx): Conflict theory views deviance as a result of social inequalities and power imbalances. According to this theory, laws and norms are created by those in power to protect their interests and maintain control over less powerful groups. Cultural Deviance Theory: This theory suggests that deviance arises when individuals conform to the norms of a subculture that differs from mainstream societal values. ​Labeling Theory: Labeling theory, while also a micro-level theory, has a macro-level dimension that focuses on the role of societal reactions and institutions in defining what is deviant. ● Forms of social control in the criminal justice system (Prisons, Courts, Police) and its associated problems Social control is the attempt to prevent deviant behavior. Courts use plea bargaining which can encourage innocent people to plead guilty and increase the amount of cases won. Police are involved in racial profiling and target minority groups. ● School-to-Prison Pipeline The School-to-Prison Pipeline refers to the systemic processes and policies that push students, particularly those from marginalized communities, out of schools and into the criminal justice system. This phenomenon disproportionately affects students of color, students with disabilities, and those from low-income backgrounds. The pipeline is driven by various factors, including punitive school policies, racial disparities, and the criminalization of minor infractions, ultimately leading to higher rates of school dropouts and incarceration. ● Prison Industrial Complex The Prison Industrial Complex (PIC) refers to the overlapping interests of government, private corporations, and institutions that benefit from the expansion and perpetuation of prisons, the criminal justice system, and mass incarceration. ● Community alternatives to incarceration Reform, rehabilitation