Chapter 1/3:

• Sociology - Study of human behavior w/ focus on groups.
• Sociology was discovered because of effects of industrial rev.
• Famous thinkers researched ideas for societal changes, and further developed field.
• 3 Sociological Perspectives
  • 1. Functionalism - The impact of racial/ethnic differences on society, mostly because of their culture. asks: "What role does it play in society? What function/purpose does it serve? Is it harmful/helpful?"
  • 2. Conflict Theory - Basis of society is competition. Majorities prosper, minorites suffer, until agreement is reached. asks: "What are the perceived opposing interests of various groups, and how are they fighting to advance their agendas to achieve their goals?"
  • 3. Symbolic Interactionism - Perceptions of a specific group, be it majority or minority, and the assumptions of what society believes they should act like. asks: "How do members of society interact with each other? How do their perceptions differ, and what have they experiened and learned? What do they define as the social problems that affect their lives and life-chances?"
• Research
  • Scientific Method:
    • 1. Develop question.
    • 2. Create design.
    • 3. Hypothesis.
    • 4. Get data.
    • 5. Analyze data.
    • 6. Conclusions.
  • Surveys.
  • Participant Observation - Researcher observes subjects in natural state, participates in research ex. interviews. Often takes several months/years.
  • Controlled Experiment - Compares data from an experimental group to a controlled one.
  • Content Analysis - Summarizes data.

Chapter 2:

• Culture - glue that holds societies together. Symbolic. Learned. Shared.
  • Subculture - Groups whos norms DIFFER from dominant. Coexist with it.
  • Ethnocentrism - One's culture is superior to others.
• Cultural Relativism - Beliefs should be understood in terms of his own culture.
  • Cultural Pluralism - All cultures are valuable.
  • Popular Culture - Shared by larger audiences (mass produced).
• Media
  • TV/Newspapers/Film.
  • Shapes people's minds/perceptions.
  • Huge industry.

Chapter 4:

• Socialization - people learn expectations of their society (culture/family life).
• Nature vs. Nurture - Sociologists believe environment has larger role than genes. Socio-biologists believe genes are more important in determining personality.
• Psychoanalytic Theory - id (passionate side), super ego (conscience/guilt), ego (negotiator).
• Symbolic Interactionaism Theory - The self is based on interactions with other people. Race, gender, and class all account to different experiences because each group is treated differently.
• Erik Erikson - Studied human stages from birth to death. Adolescence is the most important because they question authority, and obtain identity of self.

Chapter 6:

• Group - individuals that share norms, goals, and interact with each other.
• Primary - Intimate interactions. Stong influence on personality. Ex: peer group.
• Secondary - Less intimate, and less long lasting. Ex: work group.
• Reference Group - Role models.
• Social Network - Links between individuals.
• I.L. Janis - Observed 5 ill-fated presidential decisions made by small group experts. Investigated common pattern in "groupthink."
• Groupthink - Group members reach a decision even if it's stupid.
• Bureaucracy - Division of labor. Leadership, relationships, career ladders, specialization. Ex: DMV.
• McDonaldization - 4 aspects of bureaucracy: efficiency, calculability, predictability, control. Many places we shop at demonstrate these values.