Sociology

The study of society and social behaviour.

What role do social institutions have in society?

The groups to which an individual belongs will determine the roles and expectations that he/she will value and emulate in his/her private life.

Feminism

Patterns of social inequality are based on gender.

Dorothy Smith (1926-)

Structural Functionalism

Identifies and explains the systems and structures that govern society and assesses how the needs of the individuals are met by society.

Emile Durkheim ( )

Marxism

Economic production and material wealth constitute real power in society and are the basis for most relationships in society.

Karl Marx ( )

Psychology

The study of the human mind, behaviours, emotions, cognitive processes and personality.

What is intelligence?

Behaviour is both learned and innate. Both factors influence and shape how individuals will behave, feel, act, or respond to external stimuli.

Learning Theory

B.F. Skinner ( )

Learning can alter the way an individual interprets the world around him or her and can lead to permanent behavioural changes.

Behaviourism

John B. Watson ( )

Takes a scientific approach to change, relying on observing behaviour and then controlling behaviour through positive and negative stimuli.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Sigmund Freud ( )

Understanding the conscious and unconscious parts of the mind to change behaviours and motivations.

The inability to balance both parts of the mind can lead to frustration and may affect behaviour negatively.

Anthropology

The study of the human species and its origins and the development of its language and culture.

How did humans learn to manipulate their environment?

Understanding our origins will help explain how we live, communicate, and interact with our environment.

Cultural Materialism

The physical materials, conditions, and economic activity within an environment determine how ideas and ideology of a culture develop.

Cultural change occurs within a framework of three levels: infrastructure, structure, and superstructure.

Marvin Harris ( )

Functionalism

The function of beliefs and institutions in a society is to meet the needs of the majority of its members.

Change occurs by consensus, based on shared values and norms.

Branislaw Malinowski ( )

Acculturation

The process of contact, exposure, and exchange of ideas between different cultures that result in adaptations & changes to both groups.

Diffusion

The spread of a cultural trait from one society to another through social contact.

Qualitative data

Numerical results

45 brunettes and blonds received job interviews, only 5 redheads received interviews.

Qualitative Data

Analysis is based on interpreting the meaning of information; considered more subjective.

Norms

Expectations of appropriate conduct that serve as the basis of all social interactions.