The three major sociological approaches are:
- Functionalist Views (Durkheim)
- Focuses on social solidarity and integration
- Creates collective conscience
- Conflict Views (Marx)
- Views religion as "opium of the people"
- Emphasizes religion as social control
- Interactionist Views (Weber)
- Studies interactions, rituals, and symbols
- Connected Protestant doctrine to capitalism
Robert Merton's normative structure of science includes {{c1::Communism}}, {{c2::Universalism}}, {{c3::Disinterestedness}}, and {{c4::Organized skepticism}}
% How do objective truth and socially constructed knowledge perspectives differ?
- Objective Truth Perspective
- Emphasizes scientific norms and communities
- Based on Merton's normative structure
- Socially Constructed Knowledge Perspective
- Knowledge emerges through social and political forces
- Influenced by funding, political decisions, and power dynamics
According to 2011 Canadian statistics, what percentage of the population held a {{c1::university degree::type of degree}} at {{c2::25.9%::percentage}}?
Manifest Functions:
- Skill and knowledge development
- Historical and cultural transmission
- Social development and control
Latent Functions:
- Day care
- Social networking
- Match-making
The Critical Perspective on education emphasizes {{c1::social reproduction of class}} and the concept of {{c2::hidden curriculum}} in transmitting subtle norms
% List the major benefits and drawbacks of religion from a sociological perspective Positive Implications:
- Provides social capital (bridging and bonding)
- Positive outcomes for adults and youth
- Promotes philanthropy
- Supports charitable work
Negative Implications:
- Creates perception of "embattled minority"
- Potential for social inequality
- Can contribute to religious conflicts
In Canadian educational attainment (2011), {{c1::64.1%}} of the population had some form of {{c2::postsecondary qualification}}
Kuhn introduced the concept of scientific revolutions and paradigm shifts, suggesting that scientific progress occurs through revolutionary changes in scientific worldviews rather than purely linear advancement.
Social control can be:
- Formal or informal
- Retroactive or preventative
- Directed at others or ourselves
The two essential legal ingredients of a crime are {{c1::Actus Reus (guilty act)}} and {{c2::Mens Rea (guilty mind/intent)}}
% Explain the key differences between consensus, conflict, and interactionist models
-
Consensus Model
- Society agrees on acts threatening societal survival
- Broad consensus on certain crimes
-
Conflict Model
- Criminal law represents ruling class values
- Justice system controls powerless classes
-
Interactionist Model
- Focus on competing special interest groups
- Examines interaction between groups with various types of power
In Canada's federal prison system, Aboriginal people make up {{c1::3%}} of the population but {{c2::17%}} of federal inmates
Deviance can be defined by:
- Statistical rarity
- Harm
- Negative societal reaction
- Normative violation
Social Control Theory focuses on {{c1::what restrains people from deviance}} through four social bonds: {{c2::attachment}}, {{c3::commitment}}, {{c4::involvement}}, and {{c5::belief}}
% How does labeling affect an individual's deviant behavior?
- Primary deviance: Initial deviant act
- Secondary deviance: Further deviant behavior resulting from being labeled as deviant
- The label itself can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy and altered self-perception
% Distinguish between indictable and summary offenses
-
Indictable Offences (more serious)
- Examples: homicide, sexual assault, fraud
- More severe penalties
-
Summary Offences (minor)
- Examples: trespassing, causing a disturbance
- Maximum penalties of 24 months or less
According to crime statistics, most crimes are {{c1::property crimes}}, despite media portrayal focusing on {{c2::violent crime}}
- White-collar crime
- Corporate crime
- Organized crime
- Cybercrime
The three main positivist theories of deviance are {{c1::Functionalist}}, {{c2::Learning}}, and {{c3::Social Control}} theories
Feminist theories emphasize that:
- Deviance standards are gendered
- Gender significantly impacts experiences of social control
- Power structures influence definitions of deviance
According to subjective views, deviance is {{c1::socially constructed}} and something is considered deviant if {{c2::enough important people say so}}
% Describe the progression from premodern era to present
- Premodern Era: 20-30 years
- 1800s: 40 years
- Present Time: 65+ years Key factors in improvement:
- Better nutrition and agriculture
- Improved sanitation
- Advances in public health and medicine
The three main theoretical perspectives on health and illness are {{c1::Functionalist}}, {{c2::Interactionist}}, and {{c3::Conflict}} views
- Temporary exemption from social roles
- Not responsible for the condition
- Obligation to try to get well
- Seek competent medical help
The actual top three causes of death are {{c1::tobacco use}}, {{c2::alcohol misuse}}, and {{c3::diet and activity patterns}}
% What percentage of adults and children meet the guidelines? Guidelines:
- Adults: 150 minutes per week
- Children: 60 minutes per day
Actual Participation:
- Only {{c1::15%}} of adults meet guidelines
- Only {{c1::7%}} of children meet guidelines
- Universality
- Portability
- Comprehensive coverage
- Accessibility
% Compare the leading causes for men and women Women:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Stroke
Men:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Accidents
The three main components of healthcare spending are {{c1::hospitals}}, {{c2::drugs}}, and {{c3::physicians' services}}
The Interactionist perspective:
- Focuses on cultural meanings of health/illness
- Examines relationships, beliefs, and experiences
- Studies how illness impacts sense of self
The Conflict view of healthcare emphasizes {{c1::power and inequality}} and critiques {{c2::profit motives}} in healthcare, viewing health as a {{c3::commodity}}
% Describe the major shifts in disease patterns
-
Premodern/Middle Ages:
- Infectious epidemics (bubonic plague)
- High infant mortality
- Poor sanitation
-
Present:
- Shift to degenerative diseases
- Many infectious diseases eradicated
- New diseases linked to social forces
Key challenges include:
- Physician-to-population ratio
- Out-of-pocket medical costs
- Long wait times
- Rising healthcare costs
- Aging population
% Explain the relationship between social determinants and health outcomes Social inequality affects health through:
- Socioeconomic status impacting access to resources
- Mental health influences
- Ethnic inequality, especially affecting Indigenous populations
- Effects of colonization
- Reserve conditions
- Food insecurity
Collective behaviour is:
- Relatively spontaneous
- Unstructured
- Unconventional
- Can occur in localized crowds or dispersed forms
% How do contagion, convergence, and emergent norm theories differ?
-
Contagion Theory
- Views crowds as irrational
- Emphasizes anonymity and suggestibility
- Example: Vancouver Stanley Cup riots
-
Convergence Theory
- Views crowds as rational
- People with similar predispositions gather
- Example: Anarchists at riots
-
Emergent Norm Theory
- New norms emerge in unique situations
- Crowd members justify these new norms
- Example: Responding to unexpected situations
The seven main forms of dispersed collective behaviour are {{c1::fads}}, {{c2::fashions}}, {{c3::rumours}}, {{c4::gossip}}, {{c5::urban legends}}, {{c6::panic}}, and {{c7::disasters}}
A moral panic involves:
- "Folk devils"
- Moral entrepreneurs
- Mass media
- Disproportionality
% What are the key distinctions between these two social patterns? Fads:
- Temporary popular patterns
- Short-lived
- Example: Hula hoop (100 million sold in 1958)
Fashions:
- Longer-lasting popular patterns
- Usually involve clothing/accessories
- More sustained adoption
The three main characteristics of rumour spread are {{c1::levelling}}, {{c2::sharpening}}, and {{c3::assimilation}}
Social movements are:
- Efforts to change or resist change in society
- Organized, planned, and enduring
- Engage in claims making
Value-Added Theory explains social movements through six stages: {{c1::structural conduciveness}}, {{c2::structural strain}}, {{c3::spread of generalized belief}}, {{c4::precipitating factors}}, {{c5::mobilization of participation}}, and {{c6::operation of social control}}
% How do these theories differ in their approach to understanding social movements?
-
Value-Added Theory
- Focuses on stages of movement development
- Emphasizes structural conditions
-
Resource Mobilization Theory
- Emphasizes resource utilization by leaders
- Often combined with political process theory
-
New Social Movement Theory
- Focuses on postindustrial movements
- Emphasizes human rights and global issues
- Centers on collective identity
- Type of change
- Degree of change
- Intended recipient
- Means utilized
Urban legends are {{c1::abstract stories}} with an {{c2::underlying message}} that {{c3::persists over time}}
% Compare these two approaches to understanding social movements Resource Mobilization Theory:
- Focuses on practical aspects
- Emphasizes leadership and resource use
- Concerned with organizational aspects
New Social Movement Theory:
- Emphasizes identity and rights
- Focuses on global issues
- Examines frame alignment
- Example: Idle No More movement
% How does humanity's current ecological footprint compare to Earth's capacity?
- Occurs when humanity's ecological demands exceed Earth's capacity
- Currently requires {{c1::1.5 planets}} to sustain humanity's ecological footprint
{{c1::83%}} of Canadians live in urban centers, primarily concentrated in:
- Montreal
- BC's lower mainland
- Edmonton/Calgary corridor
- Golden Horseshoe in Ontario
- Replacing biodiverse habitats
- High resource and energy consumption
- Greenhouse gas and waste production
- Pollution affecting health
- Artificial environment changing weather/climate
- Decreasing biodiversity
The average Canadian creates {{c1::2.2 kilograms}} of waste per day, contributing to a national total of {{c2::34 million tonnes}} of solid waste annually
- Hidden tradeoff
- No proof
- Vagueness
- Irrelevance
- Lesser of two evils
- Fibbing
- Worshipping false labels
% How did environmental focus shift between the first and second waves? First Wave (1960s-1970s):
- Highlighted pollution
- Focused on environmental disasters
- Addressed resource depletion
Second Wave (1980s onward):
- Addressed larger environmental issues
- Focused on ozone layer
- Concentrated on global warming
% How do these two environmental paradigms differ? Human Exemptionalism Paradigm (HEP):
- Views nature as separate from society
- Assumes human superiority
- Believes technology will solve problems
New Ecological Paradigm (NEP):
- Emphasizes human-nature interdependence
- Recognizes unintended consequences
- Acknowledges limited resources
The Treadmill of Production theory focuses on four key pillars: {{c1::economic expansion}}, {{c2::increased consumption}}, {{c3::problem-solving through accelerated production}}, and {{c4::alliances among capital, labor, and governments}}
This functionalist perspective:
- Believes people, environment, and industry can coexist
- Focuses on:
- Alternative fuel sources
- Energy efficiency regulations
- Energy reforms
Sustainable development must balance:
- Economic objectives
- Social concerns
- Environmental concerns
- {{c1::Human overpopulation}}
- {{c2::Industrialization}}
- {{c3::Urbanization}}
- {{c4::Overconsumption of resources}}
% What was his contribution to environmental thought (1766-1834)? Thomas Malthus argued that:
- Population checks were necessary
- To prevent exceeding human carrying capacity
- Without checks, population would outgrow food supply