Sociology Final Exam
Silverman/Fall Semester 2012
Review Guide: Study and Good Luck 
Part ONE: Sociological Foundations
1.
Sociology a.
Definition of sociology b.
When & why did sociology develop as an academic discipline?
2.
Major Sociological Ideas a.
Sociological Imagination b.
Macro Sociology v. Micro Sociology c.
Structural Functionalism v. Conflict Theory v. Symbolic Interactionism d.
Important Sociological Figures: Emilie Durkheim, Max Weber, Karl Marx
3.
Sociological Research a.
What is the primary purpose of sociological research? b.
Advantages & disadvantages of various research methods i.
Survey v. Experiment v. Naturalistic Observation c.
Dependent variable v. independent variable
4.
Sociological Motivation a.
Drive Reduction Theory b.
Arousal Theory c.
Incentive Theory d.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
5.
Social Psychology a.
Cognitive Biases i.
Fundamental Attribution Bias v. Self Serving Bias v. Just World Bias
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Part TWO: Culture & Social Structure
1.
Culture a.
Definition of culture
2.
Components of Culture a.
Technology b.
Symbols c.
Language d.
Values & Beliefs e.
Norms (Mores v. Folkways) i.
Sanctions (Positive/Negative, Formal/Informal)
3.
Cultural Diversity a.
Subculture v. Counterculture

b.
Ethnocentrism v. Cultural Relativism c.
Cultural Lag
4.
Groups & Organizations a.
Social Groups i.
Types of gatherings
1.
Group v. Category v. Aggregate ii.
Primary Group v. Secondary Group iii.
In–Group v. Out–Group
5.
Social Structure a.
Status & Status Set i.
Ascribed Status v. Achieved Status ii.
Master Status b.
Role v. Role Set
6.
Performance in Groups a.
Group–Think b.
Social Loafing c.
Social Compensation d.
Bystander Effect
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Part THREE: Socialization & Social Control
1.
Socialization a.
Definition of socialization b.
What are the primary agents of socialization? c.
Deliberate vs. Unconscious
2.
The Social Experience a.
Nature v. Nurture b.
Sociobiology v. Behaviorism c.
Feral Children
3.
Theories of Socialization a.
Meade & Cooley (Looking Glass Self)
4.
Crime & Deviance a.
The Psychological Context i.
Psychopath v. Sociopath b.
The Sociological Context i.
Structural Functionalism
1.
Social functions of deviance (Durkheim)
2.
Merton’s Strain Theory ii.
Conflict Theory iii.
Symbolic Interactionism

1.
Cultural Transmission/Differential Association Theory
2.
Labeling Theory
3.
Primary Deviance v. Secondary Deviance iv.
Juvenile Delinquency
1.
Minor v. Juvenile
2.
Special privileges & protections
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Part FOUR: Social Stratification
1.
Social Stratification a.
Definition of stratification
2.
Social Stratification: Class & Economics a.
Power, Prestige & Property b.
Socioeconomic Status i.
Definition of socioeconomic status c.
Systems of Stratification i.
Class System v. Caste System ii.
The American Class System ( ***be able to identify common characteristics of each class )
1.
Lower Class
2.
Working Class a.
Working Poor b.
Blue Collar
3.
Middle Class a.
Lower Middle b.
Upper Middle
4.
Upper Class a.
Lower Upper b.
Upper Upper
3.
Social Stratification: Race & Ethnicity a.
Race v. Ethnicity b.
Majority Group v. Minority Group c.
5 Characteristics of a Minority Group d.
Majority–Minority Relations i.
Acculturation v. Assimilation e.
Stereotype v. Prejudice v. Discrimination f.
Individual Discrimination v. Institution Discrimination
4.
Social Stratification: Sex & Gender a.
Components of Sexual Identity i.
Sex v. Gender v. Sexuality b.
Individual Sexism v. Institutional Sexism i.
The “Glass Ceiling” ii.
The “Second Shift”
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