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Sociology 101 Midterm
Terms
80
Sociology
Undergraduate 1
03/16/2010

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Term
Micro-Sociology
Definition
tries to understand how our face to face interactions affect our lives
Term
Macro-Sociology
Definition
tries to understand how more abstract or broad patterns of society affect our lives
Term
Scientific Method
Definition
A procedure for acquiring knowledge that emphasizes collecting concrete data through observation and experiment
Term
Symbolic Interactionism
Definition
A paradigm that sees interaction and meaning as central to society and assumes that meaning are not inherent but are created through interaction
Term
Structural Functionalism
Definition
A paradigm that begins with the assumption that society is a unified whole that functions because of the contributions of its separate structures
Term
Conflict Theory
Definition
A paradigm that sees social conflict as the basis of society and social change, and emphasizes a materialist view of society, a critical view of the status quo, and a dynamic model of historical change
Term
Queer Theory
Definition
A paradigm that proposes that categories of sexual identity are social constructs, and that no sexual category is fundamentally either deviant or normal, this paradigm emphasizes the importance of difference and rejects as restrictive the idea of innate sexual identity
Term
Feminist Theory
Definition
A theoretical approach that looks at gender inequities in society and the way that gender structures the social world
Term
Sociological Imagination
Definition
A quality of the mind that allows us to understand the relationship between our particular situation in life and what is happening at a social level
Term
Culture Shock
Definition
A sense of disorientation that occurs when you enter a radically new social or cultural enviroment
Term
Positivism
Definition
The theory developed by Auguste Comte that sense perceptions are the only valid source of knowledge
Term
Mechanical Solidarity
Definition
The term developed by Emile Durkheim to describe the type of social bonds present in pre-modern, agrarian societies where shared tradition and beliefs created a sense of social cohesion
Term
Organic Solidarity
Definition
The term developed by Emile Durkheim to describe the type of social bonds present in modern socities, based on difference, interdependence, and individual rights
Term
Anomie
Definition
"Normlessness" term used to describe the alienation and loss of purpose that result from weaker social bonds and an increased pace of change
Term
Rationalization
Definition
The implementation of formal rules and regulations in order to work more efficiently and without consideration of subjective or individual concerns
Term
Iron Cage
Definition
Max Weber's pessimistic description of modern life, where the technical and economic conditions of machine production control our lives through ridged rules and rationalization
Term
Latent Functions
Definition
The less obvious, perhaps unintended functions of social structure
Term
Manifest Functions
Definition
The obvious, intended functions of a social structure for the social system
Term
False Consciousness
Definition
A denial of the truth on the part of the oppressed when they fail to recognize the interests of the ruling class in their ideology
Term
Polysemy
Definition
Having many possible meanings or interpretations
Term
Class Consciousness
Definition
Awareness of one's own social status and that of others, also the recognition of social inequality on the part of the oppressed, leading to revolutionary action
Term
Dependent Variable
Definition
Factor that is changed by the independent variable in an experiment
Term
Independent Variable
Definition
Factor in an experiment that is predicted to cause change
Term
Ethnography
Definition
A naturalistic method based on studying people in their own environment in order to understand the meanings they attribute to their activities, also the written work that results from the study.
Term
Paradigm
Definition
A set of Assumptions, theories, and perspectives that make up a way of understanding social reality
Term
Reflexivity
Definition
How the identity and activities of the researcher influence what is going on in the field setting
Term
Praxis
Definition
Practical action that is taken on the basis of intellectual or theoretical understanding
Term
Comparative and Historical methods
Definition
Methods that use existing sources to study relationships between elements of society in various regions and time periods
Term
Bias
Definition
An opinion held by the researcher that might affect the research or analysis
Term
Norms
Definition
A rule or guideline regarding what kinds of behavior are acceptable and appropriate within a culture
Term
Values
Definition
Ideas about what is desirable or contemptible and right or wrong in a particular group
Term
Mores
Definition
A norm that carries a greater moral significance, is more closely related to core values of a cultural group, and often involves sever punishment to violators
Term
Folkway
Definition
A loosely enforced norm involving common customs, practices, or procedures that ensure smooth social interaction and acceptance
Term
Taboos
Definition
A norm engrained so deeply that even thinking about violating it evokes strong feelings of disgust, horror, or revulsion
Term
Ethnocentricism
Definition
The principle of using one's own culture as a means or standard by which to evaluate another group of individual, leading to the view that cultures other than one's own are abnormal
Term
Cultural Relativism
Definition
The principle of understanding other cultures on their own terms, rather then judging or evaluating according ones own culture
Term
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
Definition
The idea that language structures thought, and that ways of looking at the world are embedded in language
Term
Hegemony
Definition
whereby the ideas of the dominant social group are accepted by all of society
Term
Dominant Culture
Definition
The values, norms, and practices of the group within society that is most powerful ( in terms of wealth, prestige, status, influence)
Term
Subculture
Definition
A group within society that is differentiated by its distinctive values, norms, and lifestyle
Term
Counterculture
Definition
A group within society that openly rejects and or opposes society's values and norms
Term
Culture Wars
Definition
Clashes within mainstream society over the values and norms that should be upheld
Term
Cultural Leveling
Definition
The process by which cultures that were once distinct become increasingly more similar
Term
Cultural Diffusion
Definition
The dissemination of beliefs and practices from one group to another
Term
Cultural Imperialism
Definition
Cultural influence caused by willingly adopting another cultures products, such as consumer products and mass media
Term
High Culture
Definition
The forms of cultural expression usually associated with the elite or dominant classes
Term
Pop Culture
Definition
Usually contrasted with the high culture of elite groups, forms of cultural expression usually associated with the masses, consumer goods and commercial products
Term
Looking-glass self
Definition
The notion that the self develops through our perception of others, evaluations and appraisals of us
Term
Dual Nature of the self
Definition
The belief that we experience the self as both subject and object, the "I" and the "me"
Term
Dramaturgy
Definition
A theoretical paradigm pioneered by Erving Goffman in which social life is analyzed in terms of its similarities to theatrical performance to understand how individuals present themselves to others
Term
Front Stage
Definition
The region in which we deliver our public performances
Term
Back Stage
Definition
Place where we rehearse and prepare for our performances
Term
Impression Management
Definition
The effort to control the impressions we make on others so that they form a desired view of us and the situation; the use of self-presentation and performance tactics
Term
Total Institution
Definition
Cut off from the rest of society so that there lives can be controlled and regulated
Term
Socialization
Definition
The process of learning and internalizing the values, beliefs, and norms of our social group, by which we become functioning members of society
Term
Role Strain
Definition
The tension experienced when there are contradictory expectations with in one role
Term
Role Conflict
Definition
Experienced when we occupy two or more roles with contradictory expectations
Term
Master Status
Definition
A status that is always relevant and affects all other statuses we process
Term
Nuclear Family
Definition
A heterosexual couple with one or more children living in a single household
Term
Exogamy
Definition
Marriage to someone from a different social group
Term
Endogamy
Definition
Marriage to someone with in one's social group
Term
Out-Group
Definition
Any group an individual feels opposition, rivalry, or hostility towards
Term
In-Group
Definition
A group that one identifies with and feels loyalty toward
Term
Propinquity
Definition
The tendency to marry or have relationships with people in close geographic proximity
Term
Expressive Role
Definition
The position of the family member who provides emotional support and nurturing
Term
Instrumental Role
Definition
The position of the family member who provides the family's material support and is often an authority figure
Term
Fictive Kin
Definition
People to whom we refer with kinship terms in order to describe a particulary close relationship even though they are not related by blood, marriage, or adoption
Term
Conglomeration
Definition
The process by which a single corporation acquires ownership of a variety of otherwise unrelated businesses
Term
Lifestyle enclave
Definition
Groups of people drawn together by shared interests, especially those relating to hobbies, sports, and media
Term
Third Places
Definition
Any informal place where people come together regularly for conversation and camaradarie when not at work or home
Term
idioculture
Definition
The customs, practices, and values expressed in a particular place by the people who interact there
Term
Domestic Violence
Definition
Any physical, verbal, financial, sexual, or psychological behaviors abusers use to gain power over there victims
Term
Social Movements
Definition
Any social groups with leadership, organization, and a ideological commitment to promote or resist change
Term
Relative deprivation theory
Definition
A theory of social movements that focuses on the actions of oppressed groups who seek rights or opportunities already enjoyed by others in society
Term
Resource Mobilization Theory
Definition
A theory of social movements that focuses on the practical constraints that help or hinder social movement's actions
Term
Technological Determinism
Definition
A theory of social change that assumes developments in technology and material culture drive changes in society, rather then vice versa
Term
Modernity
Definition
Characterizes industrial societies, including the decline of tradition, an increase of individualism, and a belief in progress, technology and science
Term
Postmodernity
Definition
Characterizes post-industrial societies, the focus on the production and management of information, and skepticism of science and technology
Term
Capitalism
Definition
An economic system based on the laws of free market competition, privatization of the means of production, and production for profit
Term
Tragedy of the Commons
Definition
A particular type of social dilemma in which many individuals' over exploitation of a public resource depletes or degrades that resource
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