Download NOTES/STUDY GUIDE – WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY? Sociology Unit 1

NOTES/STUDY GUIDE – WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY?
Sociology Unit 1: Introduction to Sociology
Essential Questions
DIRECTIONS: Use your textbook, class discussion, and any other available resource(s) to complete the following questions.
Section 1: The Nature of Sociology
1. What is Sociology?
a. The science that studies human activity/behavior in society.
2. What is the definition of a Social Force
a. The human-created ways of doing things that:
i. Influences
ii. Pressures
iii. or push people to:
a) behave
b) interact with others
c) and think in specified ways
3. Why Study Sociology?
a. Helps us understand how human activity and behavior is organized.
i. Pushes us to identify social forces shaping human activity
ii. Pushes us to ask questions about that activity’s consequences.
iii. Helps us to understand who we are
4. What is Perspective? A view on something
5. What is Sociological Perspective?
a. Sociological Perspective teaches us to look at social life in a scientific, systematic way
i. Look beyond common beliefs to deeper meanings behind human actions
a) What SOCIAL FACTORS led to CONSEQUENCES for the individual – why are people
poor? Drug addicts?
6. How do we acquire a Sociological Imagination?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The ability to see the connection b/t larger world and personal lives (C. Wright Mills)
Helps us view own lives within larger social/historical context
Exercising the sociological imagination is essential for the social analyst
Can assist us in daily lives
i. Realize that causes of behavior may be different from what they appear on surface
ii. Help make us more aware of the fact that our own behavior is result of social influences –
we learn behavior from others
iii. Look at ourselves and world around us more objectively
iv. See beyond day-to-day lives by viewing world through eyes of others
v. Find a balance b/t personal desires and demands of environment
vi. Can help us to see that our ACTIONS are always met with REACTIONS
7. Why are patterns important to sociologists? Patterns give insight into behaviors and processes of society
a. Groups encourage conformity (members think, feel, and behave in similar ways = patterns)
8. How is sociology different from other social sciences?
a. Sociology is the study of human society and social interaction as a whole.
b. Sociology takes the broad approach in helping us understand different societies
c. Other social sciences dig deeper into specific areas of our social surroundings.
Section 2: Origins of Sociology
9. Who are the major contributors to the field of sociology and what were their contributions?
a. Auguste Comte …Father of Sociology
(early 1800's)
b. Harriet Martineau
(early 1800's)
c. Karl Marx
(late 1800's)
d. Emile Durkheim
(early 1900's)
e. Max Weber
(early 1900's)
f. W.E.B. DuBois
(1900's)
Section 3: Theoretical Perspectives
10. What is a theoretical perspective and what are the three basic Sociological Perspectives?
a. Functionalism - Emphasizes smooth functioning of society.
i. Manifest Function:
ii. Latent Function:
iii. Functional:
iv. Dysfunctional:
v. Strengths and Weaknesses:
a) Strengths
b) Weaknesses
b. Conflict Theory - Looks at problems caused by opposing groups
i. Looks at
ii. Seeks to
iii. Strengths and Weaknesses:
a) Strengths
b) Weaknesses
c. Symbolic Interactionism - We interact and present ourselves based on mutually understood
symbols.
i. Focus on:
a)
b)
ii. Strengths and Weaknesses:
a) Strengths
b) Weaknesses
11. What is Macrosociology and Microsociology?
a. Macrosociology –
b. Microsociology -
Section 4: Conducting Sociological Research
12. What is the scientific method?
13. The Scientific Method Process – (7 Steps)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
1) Define the Problem:
2) Review the Literature:
3) Form a Hypothesis:
4) Choose a Research Design:
5) Collect Data:
a. Surveys/Interviews
i.
ii.
b. Observation
i.
ii.
c. Secondary Sources/Archival Data
d. Case Studies (intensive – long)
6) Analyze the Data:
7) Present Conclusions: