SOC 004 Contemporary Society Quiz 4 Part I Fill

SOC 004 Contemporary Society quiz Number Four Part I Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word or words each correct answer is worth two points 1 This theorist has been defined as both a symbolic interactionist and a social constructionist but he chooses to reject both categories

SOC 004 Contemporary Society quiz Number Four: Part I: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word or words (each correct answer is worth two points): 1.__________________________ This theorist has been defined as both a symbolic interactionist and a social constructionist, but he chooses to reject both categories.

Assignment Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word or words for each question. Each correct answer is worth two points.

Paper For Above instruction

Social theories and concepts play a crucial role in understanding contemporary society. This paper addresses a series of questions designed to evaluate knowledge of key sociological theories, terms, and perspectives. Through analysis of the provided prompts, the discussion will explore major sociological theorists, concepts of deviance, socialization, social stratification, and the impact of social policies. The focus will be on demonstrating comprehension of core sociological frameworks and their application in societal contexts.

Part I: Fill in the blanks

  1. Erving Goffman: This theorist has been defined as both a symbolic interactionist and a social constructionist, but he chooses to reject both categories. Goffman’s work emphasized the performative aspects of social interaction and the social construction of reality, which led him to challenge traditional classifications in sociology.
  2. Hidden curriculum: This term refers to the unspoken and unofficial values that children learn at school. It includes the types of assignments, testing procedures, and the tone of instruction, which subtly influence students' socialization and acceptance of societal norms.
  3. Anomic: According to Durkheim, this type of suicide occurs when people feel totally detached from society, often due to a breakdown of social norms leading to anomie, or normlessness.
  4. strain theory: This theory by Merton traces the origins of deviance to the tensions caused by the gap between cultural goals and the means people have available to achieve those goals. It explains why individuals may resort to deviant behavior when legitimate avenues are blocked.
  5. Gender roles: This term refers to the socially learned expectations, identities, and behaviors associated with members of each sex, shaping how men and women are expected to behave within society.
  6. Unmasking: According to Berger, this term refers to an unmasking tendency in sociology, where sociologists seek to reveal the hidden assumptions and power structures behind social phenomena.
  7. Sacred: In Durkheim’s theory of religion, this term refers to everything that is extraordinary or inspires a feeling of awe or reverence, distinct from the profane or ordinary aspects of life.
  8. McDonaldization: Ritzer defines this as the process by which the principles of the fast food industry—efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control—have been applied to other sectors of society and the world, leading to standardization and rationalization.

Part II: True or False

  1. False: Sex and gender are not the same; sex refers to biological differences, while gender pertains to social and cultural expectations.
  2. False: Within sociology, race and ethnicity are related but distinct concepts; race often refers to physical traits, while ethnicity relates to cultural practices and heritage.
  3. True: Weber argued that a person’s social class is determined by power, wealth, and prestige, which form the basis of social stratification.
  4. True: Marx believed capitalism would lead to alienation among workers (proletariat), and religion functions as an opiate that re-enforces oppression among them.

Part III: Theoretical Perspectives

  1. Conflict theory: Some argue that the integration of schools in the 1960s led to more equitable education, while others believe it resulted in little change, highlighting ongoing stratification and inequalities.
  2. Structural Functionalism: School lunch programs provide essential support by ensuring that children from impoverished homes receive at least one nutritious meal, contributing to social stability and cohesion.
  3. Conflict theory: Gentrification revitalizes neighborhoods but often displaces lower-income residents, raising concerns about social inequality and access to affordable housing.
  4. Structural Functionalism: The development of the EZ Pass involved coordination between transportation agencies like the Department of Transportation and the MTA, exemplifying institutional cooperation to improve efficiency.
  5. Symbolic Interactionism: Expectations of others shape individual behaviors and social roles, forming the micro-level foundation of social interaction and identity formation.

References

  • Goffman, E. (1959). The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Anchor Books.
  • Durkheim, E. (1912). The Elementary Forms of Religious Life. Oxford University Press.
  • Ritzer, G. (2010). The McDonaldization of Society. Pine Forge Press.
  • Weber, M. (1946). From Max Weber: Essays in Sociology. Oxford University Press.
  • Marx, K. (1867). Capital: A Critique of Political Economy. Penguin Classics.
  • Berger, P. L. (1963). Invitation to Sociology: A Humanist Perspective. Anchor Books.
  • Alexander, M. (2012). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press.
  • Bourdieu, P. (1984). Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste. Harvard University Press.
  • Gordon, M. (1964). Assimilation in American Life. Oxford University Press.
  • Castells, M. (1996). The Rise of the Network Society. Blackwell Publishing.

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