Summary Sociology 101 - Social and Cultural Interaction (SOCI 101) Midterm Solution Guide_2024/2025.
65 views 0 purchase
Course
SOCI 101 (SOCI101)
Institution
University Of British Columbia (UBC
)
Section 1 Intro
● Sociological Imagination
Definition: The ability to see personal experiences within a broader social context
Key Idea: Individual experiences are shaped by larger societal forces. People have personal
agency, but that agency operates within a social framework.
Example: Home...
Section 1 Intro
● Sociological Imagination
Definition: The ability to see personal experiences within a broader social context
Key Idea: Individual experiences are shaped by larger societal forces. People have personal
agency, but that agency operates within a social framework.
Example: Homelessness may be blamed on the individuals who are living on the streets. Perhaps
their personal choices influenced their position; some would say they are lazy, unmotivated, or
uneducated.
● Division of Labor (Adam Smith)
Definition: According to Adam Smith, division of labor involves assessing the production process
and allocating tasks to individuals to enhance productivity.
● Sociological Theory
Definition: Explanations about how society works, answering “why” and “how” questions based
on observed patterns
Levels
- Micro level: Focuses on interpersonal interactions (way people communicate and interact
with each other)
- Macro-level: Large-scale processes and structures. It looks at how institutions, social
systems, and whole societies operate and interact. Eg: Theories about the economy or
politics.
● Three Major Sociological Theories
1) Structural Functionalism
- Society functions like a human body; all parts have to work together to maintain
order
- Institutions, norms and traditions are crucial for societal cohesion
2) Conflict Theory
- Emphasizes power struggles and inequality
- Focuses on how dominant groups maintain power, while subordinate groups fight
for resources
3) Symbolic Interactionism
- Focuses on micro-level interpersonal communication and the subjective
meanings people create
- Social life exists because individuals attach meanings to their actions and
surroundings
● Key Sociologists and Their Theories
1) Émile Durkheim 1858 - 1917
- Focused on the relationship between individuals and social structures
- Emphasized studying society using science rigorous methods and data (social
facts) rather than philosophical speculation
Downloaded by youn sam (samsonkariuki04@gmail.com)
, lOMoARcPSD|6353920
- Solidarity
- Mechanical: Found in simple societies, where individuals are highly
integrated and depend on each other. Eg: families
- Organic: Found in complex societies, where individuals are less
connected but more independent due to division of labor.
- Integration and Regulation
- Integration: How closely an Individual is connected to society (too much
feeling trapped, too little feeling isolated)
- Regulation: The rules (norms) that govern behavior. Too much regulation
oppresses freedom, too little leads to anomie (breakdown of social
norms)
- Anomie: A state where individuals lack clear social guidlines, increasing the risk
of societal breakdown and issues like suicide. Eg: a single mother who is forced
to commit crimes if she cannot get a job or social aid to pay for the expenses for
herself and her child.
2) Karl Marx 1818 - 1883
- German philosopher, economist, sociologist, who observed the emergence of the
industrial revolution in Europe and North America
- Marx saw economic relationships as the key factor that determined how a
society works. He argued that all societies were based on social conflict between
different classes.
- Social Conflict: He concluded that all societies are based on social conflict, a
struggle between groups that have differing interests and needs. The basis of this
conflict was the ownership and distribution of goods and resources—or more
simply, economic relationships.
- Alienation: Marx believed that workers experienced widespread alienation, since
they competed with other workers for jobs and had little control over their work
conditions or what they produced.
- Dialectic: Hegel believed that history consisted of a dialectic, or an ongoing
struggle between opposites, as humanity progressed toward true freedom and
self-understanding.
3) Max Weber 1864 - 1920 - Composition of Modern Society
- German sociologist that focused on individuals and their actions rather than
social structures alone.
- Weber saw sociology as a science as well but emphasized that it is interpretive,
meaning it involves understanding the subjective meanings behind people's
actions
- Methodological Individualism: Stresses the importance of studying individual
actions and the meanings behind them to understand society.
- Rationality: The replacement of traditions, values, and emotions as motivators
for behavior in society with concepts based on rationality and reason.
Downloaded by youn sam (samsonkariuki04@gmail.com)
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller elam17799. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $7.65. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
