Questions And Verified Answers
\Q\.What is sociology? - ANSWER-✔the study of the development, structure, and functioning of
human society.
\Q\.What are some alternatives to social research? - ANSWER-✔Basic research:
- Research that advances knowledge about how social world works and develops.
Applied Research:
- Research that attempts to solve a concreate problems or address a specific policy question.
The research has direct, practical implications. (PRAXIS)
\Q\.How does sociology differ from psychology? - ANSWER-✔study of individuals behavior vs
group behavior. Sociologists study values, beliefs, norms, and who violates them.
\Q\.What is the difference between stratification and inequality? - ANSWER-✔Social
Stratification: Is the hierarchical ordering of groups in society.
- Groups are put into different categories (based on wealth, power, prestige, color, etc.) and
placed in any order or ranked at different levels of strata.
Social Inequality: Refers to any differences that result in some people having more socially
valued characteristics than others. (Ex: Asian eye raise as discussed in class)
, \Q\.What is the difference between ascribed and achieved characteristics? - ANSWER-
✔Ascribed: Characteristics that you were born with.
Achieved: Characteristics that can be acquired.
\Q\.What is an institution? (know some examples) - ANSWER-✔Institution: a society or
organization founded for a religious, educational, social, or similar purpose.
Institutionalization: refers to the process of embedding some conception within an organization,
social system, or society as a whole. (Ex: Racism in schools via the teachers or the government
singling out minorities).
\Q\.How do institutions help to reify race? - ANSWER-✔Institutions help reify race because
while race isn't a real thing from a biological stand point, its a real thing from a social stand
point, and these institutions, such as the educational system, jail system etc hold up this idea of
race, making it a factor in how people are treated.
\Q\.Power, authority, and prestige (how are they different from each other?) - ANSWER-
✔Power: The ability to control events or behavior of others despite resistance.
Authority: A specific form of control where the right to command is considered appropriate and
legitimate.
Prestige: Social honor and respect.
Difference: You can have power without having prestige or authority. This can be reversed with
any you select.