SOC101Y1 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Participant Observation
Document Summary
Sociology the study of is the systematic study of human action in social context. Emile durkheim recognized that suicide rates were strongly influenced by social forces, found one of the main causes to be social solidarity. The elements that constitute the social affect our opinions, values, beliefs, knowledge, habits, tastes, desires, dreams. Theory a tentative explanation of some observed regularity: sociology has four major theoretical traditions, functionalism: how is social order supported by macrostructures? (role, function, purpose) Stresses that human behaviour is governed by stable patterns of social relations ( social structures ) Shows how social structures can either maintain or undermine social stability. Suggests social structures are based mainly on shared values or preferences. Argues that re-establishing equilibrium is best way to solve most social problems: conflict theory: how is social inequality maintained and challenged? (inequality, power, who benefits?) Focuses on large, macro-level structures (e. g. , class relations)
