SOC244H5 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Nuclear Family, Symbolic Interactionism, Family Therapy
SOC244 Midterm
Chapter 1 Short Answers
1. Definitions of Family
a. Legal: variety, no fixed definition as it often changes and depends on who is
defining it
b. Social: Given by groups (e.g. church)
c. Personal: Subjective
2. Nuclear VS Extended Family
a. Nuclear: husband, wife, children
i. Family of orientation born into
ii. Family of procreation: marriage of cohabitation
b. Extended: nuclear family and all other relatives
3. Why is structural functionalism theory important for society?
a. Families have 5 basic functions:
i. Reproduction
ii. Socialization
iii. Social placement
iv. Economic support
v. Emotional support
b. Performing these functions result in social stability
c. How the family contributes to society
d. Emphasizes family strengths such as cooperation
4. Symbolic Interactionism
a. Advantage: Emphasis placed on interactions between individuals, basis for family
therapy
b. Disadvantage: Micro view, pays little attention to impact of society on families
5. Conflict Theory
a. Advantage: explains shifts in the balance of power
b. Disadvantage: Cannot demonstrate how families contribute to society as a whole
6. Family Boundary
a. Mark who belongs to a family
b. Open enough to allow interactions with other, but provides unity for the family
c. Important in building solidarity and traditions
7. Developmental Task
a. Tasks expected to achieve at particular stages in development
b. Success leads to happiness and completing future tasks
c. Important:
8. Gender Socialization
a. Socially defined behaviour for males and females.
b. Boys – active/aggressive, girls – nurturing and sensitive
9. Qualitative VS Quantitative
a. Qualitative: verbal description of behaviour through reports, etc.
b. Quantitative: numbers
10. Longitudinal VS Cross-Sectional Research Methods
a. Cross sectional: compares people of different ages at same time period
b. Longitudinal: follows the same individual for a period of time
Chapter 2 Short Answers
1. Difference Between Race and Ethnicity
a. Race: Physical differences
b. Ethnicity: People who share cultural heritage
2. Explain Visible Minorities and Give Example
a. Visible minority: other than Aboriginal, non-Caucasian or non-white in colour
b. Example: black
3. Explain Minority Groups and Give Example
a. Minority group: a group that holds less power
b. Example: women
4. 3 Factors Affecting who is allowed to Immigrate to Canada
a. Family class, nuclear family members can be sponsored
b. Economic class, admits skilled workers, entrepreneurs and investors
c. Refugee class
5. 3 Reasons Immigrants may find it takes a long time to have their dreams fulfilled.
a. Immigrants are instantly apart of a minority group
b. Difficult to find work due to lack of Canadian experience, and their qualifications
being unrecognized
c. Lower wages and income, may be sue to low social capital
6. 3 Difficulties Mixed Race Families might face
a. Prejudice from families
b. More likely to end in divorce
c. “Firsts” are more stressful for interracial couples due to difference in
perspectives
7. Difference between Prejudice and Discrimination
a. Prejudice: negative attitude towards group of people
b. Discrimination: negative treatment of group of people
8. 2 examples of Cultural Conflict between Canadians and New Immigrants
a. Genital mutilation
b. Honour killings
9. Stigma
a. Trait used to differentiate individuals in a negative way
10. Acculturation Policies of Multiculturalism VS Melting Pot
a. Acculturation policies: strategies to integrate of exclude immigrants that are
enforced by the dominant group by law
b. Multiculturalism: accepts diversity and includes ethnic/cultural groups
c. Melting pot encourages individuals to assimilate into the dominant culture
11. Assimilation VS Integration as Acculturation Strategies
a. Acculturation strategies: changes in individuals as result of migration
b. Assimilation: Rejecting heritage culture and exclusive orientation towards
dominant culture
c. Integration: high level of engagement in heritage and mainstream culture
