Running head: ONLINE SOCIOLOGY#5

Online sociology
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81. Distinguish between group/crowd/aggregate/category

The sociologists have the ability to arrive at the right conclusions for the people
being studied because of their ability to do proper classification on them. In sociology, a
group consists of consists of more than two people, distinct in their ability to interact over
time, possession of a sense of identity or belonging, and possession of norms that the
nonmembers lack. On the other hand, an aggregate refers to a collection of people who
happen to be at the same place in the same period but their connection to one other does
not go beyond this explanation. Similarly, a category refers to a collection of people
sharing particular characteristics. In a category, the members do not necessarily interact
with one another nor share anything else. Finally, a crowd refers to a collection of
individuals attending to some common objects and who possess simple interaction that is
of simple prepotent sort. The accompaniment of a crowd is usually strong emotional
response.
82. How are primary, reference and secondary groups different?
Primary groups are closely knit groups. They are usually of small scale, long
lasting and tend to include intimate relationships among the members. Members tend to
feel a personal relationship identify with the group members that gives them a stronger
connection in the group.
Secondary groups have opposite characteristics to the primary groups. They can
differ in size but they usually last for a short time and are impersonal. The groups are

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common in schools and at the places of work. The frequency of meeting among the
members is low and when they meet, they spend time for just a short while.
Finally, reference group from which we seek for guidance so that we can evaluate
our behaviors as well as attitudes. These groups are usually generalized versions of role
models in a social setting.
83. How is a social network/social media different or are they similar?
Social media refers to the use of the mobile technologies and the web-based
technologies to turn communications into an interactive dialogue. On the other hand,
social networking refers to the social structure comprising of the people, joined together
by a common interest. Social network is therefore a sub-category of the social media but
the two are not one and the same thing.
The main purpose of the social networking is facilitation of successful connection
among the people. It is usually founded on the human side where people can network for
work or leisure purposes. It is usually meant for mutual communication. On the other
hand, social media is a broader term encompassing different types of media such as social
networking among others.
84. What is Anomie?
An anomie refers to a condition of instability resultant from the breakdown of the
values or the breakdown of standards or from the lack of ideas or purpose.
85. What is a virtual community?

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A virtual community refers to a community of people who shares common ideas,

interests, and feelings over the internet.
86. How does group dynamics/cohesion/and groupthink work within groups?
The identification of the working of the groupthink by Janis is in seven steps as
follows: firstly, the identification of the groupthink includes a limitation to a few
alternative causes of action denying alternative courses of action and with refusal to study
the entire range of the alternatives. The group fails to survey the objectives requiring
fulfilment as well as the values that are implicated by choice. The third step states that
groupthink denies an opportunity for the evaluation of the course of action that the
majority of the members decide to follow. Fourthly, there is neglecting of the course of
action that was initially evaluated as unsatisfactory-members usually spend most of their
time checking if they overlooked at the things that are nonobvious. The fifth step that the
groupthink tends to take is failure by the members to seek information from the experts
who can advise them on the sound estimates of the losses or gains that the ideas of the
group could bring so that they can stick by their plans or look for better alternatives. In
the sixth step, members have selective biases as members react electively to the
information as well as relevant judgments that the expert tend to give the group. Finally,
the members do not invest most of their time to deliberate on the hindrances of the
chosen policy by the sabotage from the political opponents or the bureaucratic inertia;
hence, they do not work out a contingency plan.
87. What are in/out groups?

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In groups refers to the condition or the situation in which a person has the feeling
of belonging to a select group in a heady one or an elite group. On the other side, an outgroup is when one is in a group that he or she does not belong to; often characterized by
the feeling of competition or disdain to an out-group.
88. What are the levels of conformity?
The levels of conformity are as follows:
The computational independent or the conceptual viewpoint, which acts as
the first level
The platform independent, also called the logical viewpoint.
The implementation viewpoint, that is usually specific to the platform.

89. What is the sociological definition of power?

From Weber, power refers to the individual or groups ability to achieve their aims
or goals while others are trying to hinder them from realizing them.
90. What is authority? What are the types of authority? Which theorist
discusses these concepts?
Authority refers to a particular form of power that the norms of a social system
support and the supporters of the authority accept it as legitimate. The three types of
authority include the traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational, all, which did the Max
Weber, a philosopher and a sociologist, develop.
91. What is bureaucracy? Who discusses this concept?

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Bureaucracy refers to a system of government where most of the important

decisions in the system are not made by the elected representatives but by the state
officials. The development of the concept was the work of a German sociologist by the
name Max Weber. He argues that in bureaucracy, human activity can be organized in the
most rational and efficient way. He adds that the hierarchies and system processes
facilitate maintained order, efficiencies, and reduced favors.
92. What is McDonaldlization? Whom coin termed it? What is it explaining?
McDonaldlization refers to the reconceptualization of scientific management and
rationalization. Sociologist George Ritzer coined the term. It explains manifestation
becomes when a society adopts the characteristics similar to a fast-food restaurant.
93. Table 5.1 - Recognize the theoretical perspectives.
A theoretical perspective refers to the set of assumptions about reality in which
the questions we ask are informed as well as the kind of answers we arrive at as a result.
Therefore, it can be viewed as a lens through which we look, serving to distort or focus
on what we see. Besides, we can view it as a frame that includes certain things in our
view. It is a theoretical assumption that assumes that the social systems such as a family,
society, culture, and statuses are real and that they exist.

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References

http://opinion.inquirer.net/85293/max-webers-3-types-of-authority#ixzz4W36hwKNx