Chapter One: What is Sociology?

Functional Analysis

Functional Analysis is a sociological perspective that allows us to see society as a whole unit made up of inter-related parts that work together. Functional Analysis can be related to silverware that each have their own roles to make our dinner possible. If they can't perform their function or are missing our dinner is abnormal, but if they do fulfill all their roles the dinner is normal. This perspective can apply to all groups, small and large.


Symbolic Interaction

Symbolic Interaction is the central idea that symbols are the key to understanding how we view the world and communicate to each other. Symbolic Interaction is seen in the restroom signs we see everyday. We have attached the meaning of women to wearing a dress and men in pants and cause us to relate to the need to use the restroom and react appropriately to go in the right one. This theory analyzes how we define ourselves and others.


Conflict Theory

Conflict Theory is a Sociological Perspective that society is composed of groups that are competing with one another for scarce resources. This can be seen in a work environment as two groups, (the mangers/bourgeoisie) and (the workers/proletairiat) interact. Conflict Theorists believe workers are being exploited by the managers for power and wealth. The unequal distribution of power and resources in a society or workplace can leave groups in conflict.

Proletairiat

Proletairiat is a term in the Conflict Theory used by Karl Marx to describe the working class. Marx believed the Proletairiat were exploited workers and the means of production. They are controlled by the upper class called the bourgeoisie. He believed the Proletairiat would revolt and form a "classless" society one free of exploitation. To some extent this has happened for some workers with minimum wage, benefits, safety laws, and representation of unions.

Chapter Two: Culture

Material Culture

Material Culture is a term used to describe the value of things in a culture such as jewelry, buildings, cars, tvs and other material items. The society that values a material culture has more wealth and prestige. This culture often focuses less on family and more on the pursuit of wealth and has higher suicide rates due to failure to obtain wealth and broken relationships.

Mores

Mores is a term used to describe the norms accepted by a society often dealing with their core values. If a mores is violated, a society will seek laws and punishment to prohibit the violation of their values, such as jail time, fines or even capital punishment. Mores differ between countries and societies and can cause conflict and clashes in situations where values differ.

Pluralistic Society

Pluralistic Society is a society made up of many different groups including religious, racial/ethnic, interest groups. the U.S. is a good example of a Pluralistic Society. Even though this society tends to have many different groups, they will have overarching core values and will tend to accept and allow for its' members to be culturally diverse.

Gestures

Gestures are a form of communication used to convey a message nonverbally. Gestures are movements of our limbs, head, and body used to emphasize our speech, show our emotion, or used In place of speech. Gestures are not always universal and can mean different things in different cultures. They can also be misread.

Chapter Three: Socialization

Socialization

Socialiation is a process "where society makes us human". As infants we begin to acquire the social interactions and skills needed to function in our society. Socialization is a life long process that can be most intense in childhood, but continues throughout life and is handed down to the next generation. Unlike animals who operate on biological instincts, humans need social experiences and interaction to survive in their society.

Gender Socialization

Gender Socialiation is a process of making sure one fits into the desired gender role in a society. Families, parents, schools, and mass media all are often a part of Gender Socialization. Examples include women cooking and cleaning and men mowing the yard and carrying out the trash. The process is often so well done that as adults a majority think and feel according to these guidelines. Gender Socialization can lead to unfair gender inequality, such as pay differences and promotions.

Looking Glass Self

Looking Glass Self is a term used to describe how we think other people think we are. We try to see ourselves through other people's lens. The looking-glass self has three elements: we imagine how others perceive us, judge that perception, and conform to that judgement. We are constantly using these three elements. For example picking out a pair of glasses, we will seek others perception of how we look in them, then we interpret the judgement of that reaction and finally form an opinion on which glasses to choose.

Social Inequality

Social Inequality is a process of giving privileges and obligations to one group while denying them to another. This is often evident in a workplace where females cannot advance due to stereotypes and long standing traditions. A major contributor to Social Inequality is the glass ceiling effect, in which upper management is likely to promote those similar to them and less likely to promote women or other races.

Chapter Four: Social Structure and Social Interaction

Status Symbol

Status symbols are possessions used to convey one's position or status in society, often something they are proud of or pleased with accomplishing in their life. A framed diploma hanging on a wall can be a status symbol showing one's education obtained. Status symbols can change over time, for example an associate's degree may not mean as much as they once did, as they are easier to obtain through programs like A plus and more community colleges are accessible. Status symbols can also be forced on someone and can be negative, such as an orange jumpsuit can identify a prison inmate.

Division of Labor

Division of Labor is a term used to describe the tasks that are divided up among a group to accomplish a complete project. A construction site is a great example of the division of labor, as many workers have different tasks assigned such as dry walling, flooring, painting etc. This allows for faster, cheaper labor and allows for less education as workers only need to learn a task. Division of labor can have a negative impact if one task is not completed or done correctly, it can affect others and the whole project. It can also be negative for individuals because they are reliant on society and they only know how to do one job.

Body Language

Body language is a form of nonverbal communication that includes body posture, facial expressions, gestures, and eye movements. It can give us clues to how others are feeling and how we should react. We can be conscious or unconscious of our body language. We use it frequently everyday to communicate with others.

Post Industrial Society

Unlike an Industrial Society which turns raw materials into products, this society focuses more on information and services more than producing goods. The United States is a Post Industrial Society. It has changed our society by making us less reliant on ourselves and more reliant on others and others and technology.

Chapter Five: Social Groups and Formal Organizations

Primary Groups

A primary group consists of your family or friends, where there is a more intimate sense of belonging. This type of group is essential to your emotional well-being and the development of one's identity. This group also has the most influence on your life but that is not always a good thing. Gangs can also be considered to be a primary group. Primary groups offer a system of support and are often long-lasting.

Bureaucracy

A bureaucracy is a group that has an organized purpose and goal in a society, such as many government institutions. All bureaucracies have five components: clear levels, division of labor, written rules, records and replace ability. A bureaucracies goal is to be as efficient as possible although this is not always achieved. Bureaucracy rules can increasingly dominate a society.

Voluntary Association

A secondary group made up of volunteers who organize with mutual interest to obtain a goal or accomplish a purpose. Some groups are small and local while others can be national with paid staff. Boy Scouts, Lions Club, churches, and business organizations can all be examples of voluntary association.

Triad

A triad is a group of three people. Triads can often be unstable as two of the people will interact more and can cause strain on the group. Two of the people will often develop stronger bonds leaving the third person excluded. Another characteristic of a triad is a mediator is often produced as this person tries to settle the differences between the other two. Triads can include siblings, roommates, coworkers, and even countries.

Chapter Eight: Social Class in the United States

Property

Property is anything one owns and has rights to that others do not. Build property comes in many forms like homes, buildings, cars, furniture, jewelry, and stocks and bonds. Property relates directly wealth in that wealth is someone's property subtracted by their personal debt.

Income

Income is a flow of money. The most common way of earning income is by wages or a business. Other sources are interest, royalties, rent and even alimony. Income is sometimes confused with wealth, but they are not the same. A person may have a high income, but also have high debt.

Prestige

Prestige is a ranking in social class that is defined by higher education and income, influence and success. Prestige is often passed on through generations. Status symbols are also a good way of identifying persons of prestige. Prestige plays an important part of individual motivation.


Poverty

Poverty is a ranking in social class that is defined by the lack of money or material possessions. Poverty exists when people don't have the means to supply their basic needs due to the lack of education or skills or unwillingness or inability to work. Poverty is defined by government standards called the poverty line. People who spend more than one third of their income on food are considered below the poverty line.

Chapter Nine: Race and Ethnicity

Race

Race is a group of people that have similar physical traits that are different from other groups. These traits can include skin color, hair, eye color, size of nose, etc. Society often picks racial categories based on history and treats them differently based on their characteristics. Races can be singled out for unfair treatment.

Ethnicity

Unlike race, ethnicity refers to cultural characteristics rather than physical characteristics. Ethnicity can include your religion, nation, or origin and and often includes music, food, clothing, and language. Ethnic groups do not exist simply because they come from the same culture, but feel an identity with one another because of shared experiences and unique history. Some examples of ethnic groups are Jews, Irish-Americans, Italian-Americans, Native Americans and many more.

Dominant Group

A group that has greater power and privilege regardless of their size and holds the goals and values of a society. In the United States, white Protestant males have long been the dominant group. The dominant group often sees itself as superior and can discriminate against others who are different.

Segregation

Segregation is the social separation of people into categories in a society, such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or class. Segregation often causes inequality and restricts the freedoms of groups of people that are not a part of the dominant group. Segregation has occurred throughout history. In the United States, it was prevalent in the Civil Rights era with the segregation of African Americans and whites in schools, restaurants, and other public places.