2.9 Application and Discussion: Questions and Key Terms
Application and Discussion questions are intended to be used for student reflection and response; in class discussions, or online forum discussions.
Key terms are needed to understand the concepts in this chapter and will appear in other chapters in the text.
2.9.1 Reflective Questions
- What can you expect to learn from studying families?
- How will studying families impact your family and your work life in the future?
- What are the main methods for researching families?
- What are the nuances of objectivity coupled with humanity?
- How will cultural humility help you understand other people?
- What are the major theoretical perspectives? Which ones make the most sense to you?
- What is a social problem? What social problems have you experienced or observed?
- How will having a sociological imagination and understanding equity equip you to learn about families in the United States?
2.9.2 Key Terms
- age: the developmental changes and transitions that come with being a child, adolescent, or adult.
- cultural humility: the focus on staying other-centered in order to learn about and understand the experiences and viewpoints of people with social identities different from your own.
- culture: the shared meanings and shared experiences passed down over time by individuals in a group.
- disabilities: the visible or hidden and temporary or permanent conditions that provide barriers or challenges.
- ethnicity: one’s social identity based on the culture of origin, ancestry, or affiliation with a cultural group.
- experiments: a primary form of research in natural and physical sciences that involves comparing and contrasting at least two different interventions.
- first language: the language learned in early childhood.
- gender: the socially constructed perceptions of what it means to be male or female in our society.
- objectivity: the act of staying free from the influence of personal experiences and opinions.
- observational studies: a type of field research that includes both participant observation and nonparticipant observation.
- origin: the geographical location where a person was born and spent (at least) their early years in.
- qualitative research: the descriptive, in-depth study of a topic.
- quantitative research: the numbers-based, measurable study of a topic.
- race: the categorization of humans using observable physical or biological criteria, such as skin color, hair color or texture, facial features, etc.
- research: a systematic investigation into a particular topic, examining materials, sources, and/or behaviors.
- scientific process: the process of formulating hypotheses, making observations, gathering and testing data, drawing conclusions, and modifying hypotheses.
- secondary data analysis: the study of existing research.
- sex: a biological descriptor involving chromosomes and internal/external reproductive organs
- sexual orientation: a person’s emotional, romantic, erotic, and spiritual attractions toward another in relation to their own sex or gender.
- social class: a person’s income or material wealth, educational status, and/or occupational status.
- sociological perspective: viewpoints that emphasize causes, effects and actions of groups of individuals, looking for patterns.
- social model of ability: a view of diagnoses from a social and environmental perspective and considers multiple ecological levels.
- social problem: a large issue that affects many people, can threaten the health and well being of society, is recognized as a problem by many, includes multiple causes and effects, and needs a systemic solution.
- subjectivity: influenced by personal experiences and opinions
- survey: a method by which sociologists gather their data by asking questions.
- theory: a structural framework, explanation, or tool that has been tested and evaluated over time.
2.9.3 Licenses and Attributions for Application and Discussion: Questions and Key Terms
2.9.3.1 Open Content, Original
“Application and Discussion: Questions and Key Terms” by Elizabeth B. Pearce is licensed under CC BY 4.0.