Social Barometer

Все темы данного раздела:

Sociology
The name sociology was first suggested in the 1830s by the French philosopher Auguste Comte, but for many years it remained only a suggestion. Comte urged others to study sociology. It was

WORD STUDY
I. Memorize the following words and word-combi­nations: sociological research public opinion the polled to assess sociological survey public opinion p

WORD STUDY
  I. Find in the text «The Origins of Sociology» Eng­lish equivalents for: Намного моложе; точно так же; глубоко интересоваться; другими словами; г

Sociological Theory
The discipline of sociology involvesmore than adistinctive point of view. The sociological perspective illuminates new facts in countless familiar situations; but linking specific observations toge

Social Change and the Development of Sociology
The gradual development of scientific thought in Europe was one important foundation of sociology. But something more was involved: revolutionary change in European society itself. The increasing i

WORD STUDY
  I. Find in the text «Sociological Theory» English equivalents for: Точка зрения; бесчисленный; набор фактов; а именно; более склонны; одновременно; любо

Theoretical Paradigms
In attempting to develop theories about human society, sociologists face a wide range of choices. What issues should they choose to study? What facts should they link together to form theories? Que

The Methods of Sociological Research
Four research methods are widely employed in sociological investigation. A method is a strategy for carrying out research in a systematic way — comparable to a blueprint used in building or

Experiments.
The logic of science is clearly expressed in the experiment — a method that seeks to specify a cause-and-effect relationship among variables. Experimental research, in other words, is explanatory i

Questionnaires and Interviews
Selecting the subjects who will be contacted is only the first step in carrying out a survey. Also required is a specific way to ask questions and record answers. Two commonly used techniques are q

WORD STUDY
I. Find in the text English equivalents for: Проводить исследования; в абсолютном смысле; лучше или хуже; сильные стороны и слабые; переменная; с учетом; испытуемые; во

The Structure of Social Interaction
Because society is an organized system, it is not surprising that social interaction is patterned. Society is, after all, built on countless interactions among individual human beings, and human be

Social Structure and Individuality
The assertion that human behaviour is socially patterned often provokes some initial resistance. Few human beings readily admit to being part of any kind of system, especially those who live in a c

Summary
1. Sociology is more than a perspective; it is also a form of investigation that uses the logic of science to learn about the social world. 2. The logic of science is an important foundati

WORD STUDY
  I. Find in the text “The Structure of Social Interac­tions” English equivalents for: В конце концов; социальные модели; нормы поведения; в обществе; во

Figure 1. Status Set and Role Set
Figure 1 illustrates the status set and corresponding role sets of one individual. Four statuses are presented, each linked to a different role set. First this woman occupies the status of “wife.”

Strain and Conflict
The several roles that are linked to any particular status are not always easily integrated, so an individual can feel pulled in several directions at once. Role strain is defined as incompa

WORD STUDY
I. Find in the texts English equivalents for: соответствующий; приближаться; посредством; од­новременно; ряд ролей; вести хозяйство; частичный

Kinds of Groups
We have already found out that sociology, as one of its main objects, studies social institutions and social relations, social bodies and social groups. Sociologists were early concerned with the p

The Nature of Group Cohesiveness
The term 'group cohesiveness’ is widely discussed by sociologists. Although different sociologists attribute different properties to the term, most agree that group cohesiveness is the degree to wh

Primary and Secondary Groups
Several times a day, one person greets another with a smile and a simple phrase such as “Hi! How are you?” Of course, an honest reply may be actually expected, but not often. Usually the other pers

XV. Answer the following questions.
1. What groups do sociologists distinguish? 2. Who was the first to speak on the importance of such distinction? 3. What group is called primary? 4. What is the most impo

Primary Groups and Secondary Groups
    Primary group Secondary group Quality of relationships Personal orientation

Networks
The term social network designates social ties that link people without the intensity of social interaction and common identity of a social group. A social network resembles a social group in that

II. Make up word-combinations and translate them into Russian.
  To display – genuine concern sympathy self-consciousness To share – troubles concern work duties responsibilities

Group Leadership
Social groups vary in the extent to which they designate one or more members as leaders, with responsibility to direct the activities of all members. Some friendship groups grant no one the clear s

The Importance of Group Size
Being the first person to arrive at a party affords the opportunity to observe a fascinating process in group dynamics. When fewer than about six people interact in one setting, a single conversati

Figure 3. Group Size and Relationships
Social groups with more than three members tend to be more stable because the lack of interest on the part of one or even several members does not directly threaten the group’s existence. Furthermo

In-groups and Out-groups
By the time children are in the early grades of school, much of their activity takes place within social groups. They eagerly join some groups, but avoid - or are excluded from - others. Based on s

Deviance
What is Deviance? The concept of deviance is defined as violation of cultural norms of a group or all of society. Since cultural norms affect such a wide range of h

Biological Explanations of Deviance
Human behaviour was understood - or more correctly, misunderstood - during the nineteenth century as an expression of biological instincts. Along with other patterns of human behaviour, criminality

Delinquency and body structure
After Lombroso’s theory of born criminality was disproved, others continued to search for biological explanations of criminality. William Sheldon advanced the idea of body structure in terms of thr