SOC 101: Deep Dive into Sociological Concepts, Theories & Perspectives

This document provides answers to selected questions from a Sociology 101 assignment. It covers topics such as the sociological perspective and its emergence as a science, the similarities and differences between subcultures and countercultures with examples, the definitions of ascribed and achieved status and how they influence each other, the characteristics of primary and secondary groups as well as in-groups and out-groups, and the sociological definition of deviance compared to common perspectives. The assignment uses sociological theories and examples to explain these concepts.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Q & A
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1SOCIOLOGY
Table of Contents
Answer to question 1:......................................................................................................................2
Answer to question 2:......................................................................................................................2
Similarities:..................................................................................................................................2
Differences:..................................................................................................................................3
Answer to question 4:......................................................................................................................3
Answer to question 5:......................................................................................................................4
Answer to question 6:......................................................................................................................4
Reference:........................................................................................................................................5

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Answer to question 1:
A scientific study of the society is known as sociology where a brief study on social
relationship, interaction and social culture has been discussed. An attempt to understand the
social order has been made through sociology and this subject has been emerged as an
enlightenment of thought. After the French Revolution, sociology becomes positivist science of
the society. The origin of the subject has been laid down under the philosophical knowledge of
the subject (Grusky and David). A systematic study regarding anything through observation and
experiment is known as science. In case of sociology, certain social research techniques have
been made and it becomes a social science to study human, society and culture.
There are following perspectives in sociology:
 Functionalist perspective;
 Conflict perspective;
 Symbolic interactionism perspective
According to the functionalist perspective, every stages of the society are interdependent
and reflect the function of the society. According to symbolic interactionist perspective, face-to-
face interaction and symbolic use is considered as medium of communication. Conflict theory
depends on the control power of the elite class over the poor class.

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Answer to question 2:
Similarities:
Sub-culture is a culture within the culture that occupy by certain group of people such as
any kinds of occupation. Further, it develops the communication system among individuals. The
politicians are group of people who occupies certain corners of life and they have their specific
ideas to lead life. Counter-culture is also a part of the culture where the people occupy certain
corners of life.
Differences:
Counter-culture goes against the prevalent culture and goes to the opposite direction. It
has a political implication act against mainstream culture. The punk movement can be an
example of the counter-culture. This movement has a specific belief and it opposes the
mainstream culture. Sub-culture goes with the mainstream culture and unites by common interest
and experience (Adams et al.). Goths are the example of sub-culture.
Answer to question 4:
In this society, two things help an individual to get his status such as ascription and
achievement. Ascribed status is those over which an individual has no rights and therefore, no
choice has been left to them. Blood group and racial group of an individual are falling in this
category. On the contrary, the individual has gained achieved status and every society has certain
achieved status (Cusack et al.).
In certain times, the ascribed status influences the achieved status. The person born in
low caste has to face serious trouble in case of achieving his status and he will be disadvantaged
comparing to the upper class. In USA, an upper middle class child gets many facilities.

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Therefore, it can be stated that the achieved status of an individual is depending on the ascribed
status to certain extent.
Answer to question 5:
Primary group is a small-scale society where the members are maintaining a close
relationship. Family and childhood friends are the example of the same. In secondary group, the
role of the people is interchangeable and individual has a choice to become a part of the group.
Service for payment is an example of it. Where a person can psychologically identifies him as a
part of the group known as in-group (Piazza, Alessandro and Fabrizio). People from certain race
and culture may think them as a part of the group. In case of out-group, the people could not
identify them as a part of a group psychologically. The main similarity among these groups is
that all are the part of social groups. However, certain distinctions have been noticed from their
definition and applicability.
Answer to question 6:
The term deviance is the contrary forms of conformity and it denotes all the behaviors
that go against the social norms. The nature of the deviance can be criminal or non-criminal.
Therefore, it can be stated that any act that goes against the social policy and law, known as
deviance. Any kinds of offenses such as murder, theft, robbery are the examples of deviance.
There are certain differences taken place between deviance and social deviance. From the
social perspective, the term deviance does not follow the negative actions all the time. there are
certain positive deviances too. Anything goes against the appropriate conduct of the society can

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be recognized as deviance in sociology (Giddens et al.). The concept of right and wrong in
deviance is based on the situation. For example, killing someone is wrong; but in case of
permission to kill any people from government is not at all wrong.
Reference:
Adams, Rebecca G., Amy M. Ernstes, and Kelly M. Lucey. "Subculture, Sociology of." (2015):
637-642.
Cusack, Carole M., and Danielle Kirby, eds. Sects, Cults and New Religions: Critical Concepts
in Sociology. Routledge, 2014.
Giddens, Anthony, et al. Introduction to sociology. WW Norton, 2016.
Grusky, David B. Social stratification: Class, race, and gender in sociological perspective.
Routledge, 2018.
Newman, David M. Sociology: Exploring the architecture of everyday life. Sage Publications,
2018.
Piazza, Alessandro, and Fabrizio Castellucci. "Status in organization and management
theory." Journal of Management 40.1 (2014): 287-315.