Agency

The capacity to intentionally make things happen

Boundary

An imaginary line of demarcation that defines which human and nonhuman elements are included in a given system and which elements are outside the system

Chaos Theory

A theory that emphasizes systems processes that produce change, even sudden, rapid, change

Classical conditioning theory

A theory in the social behavioral perspective that sees behavior as the result of the association of a conditioned stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus

Cognitive social learning theory

A theory in the social behavioral perspective that sees behavior as learned by imitation and through cognitive processes

Conflict perspective

An approach to human behavior that draws attention to conflict, dominance, and oppression in social life

Critical theorists

Theorists who argue that as capitalism underwent change, people were more likely to be controlled by culture and their consumer role than by their work position

Developmental perspective

An approach that focuses on how human behavior changes and stays the same across stages of the life cycle

Ecomaps

A visual representation of the relations between social network members. Members of the network are represented by points, and lines are drawn between pairs of points to demonstrate a relationship between them; also called a sociogram

Efficacy expectation

In cognitive social learning theory, the expectation that one can personally accomplish a goal

Empowerment theories

Theories that focus on processes by which individuals and collectivities can recognize patterns of inequality and injustice and take action to increase their own power

Feedback mechanism

A process by which information about past behaviors in a system are fed back into the system in a circular manner

Feminist theories

Theories that focus on male domination of the major social institutions and present a vision of a just world based on gender equity

Hierarchy of needs

Abraham Maslow’s humanistic theory that suggests that higher needs cannot emerge until lower needs have been satisfied; the hierarchy runs from physiological needs at the bottom to safety needs, belonginess and love needs, esteem needs, and self actualization needs at the top

Humanistic perspective

An approach that sees human behavior as based on freedom of action of the individual and focuses on the human search for meaning

Learned helplessness

In cognitive social learning theory, a situation in which a person’s prior experience with environmental forces has led to low self efficacy and efficacy expectation

Operant conditioning theory

A theory in the social behavioral perspective that sees behavior as the result of reinforcement

Phenomenal self

An individual’s subjectively felt and interpreted experience of “who I am”

Pluralistic theory of social conflict

A theory that suggests that there is more than one social conflict going on at all times, that individuals often hold cross-cutting and overlapping memberships in status groups, and that these cross-cutting memberships prevent the development of solidarity among oppressed groups

Psychodynamic perspective

An approach that focuses on how internal processes motivate human behavior

Rational choice perspective

An approach that sees human behavior as based in self-interest and rational choices about effective goal accomplishment

Role

set of usual behaviors of persons occupying a particular social position

Self-efficacy

In cognitive social learning theory, a sense of personal competence

Social behavioral perspective

An approach that sees human behavior as learned when individuals interact with their environments

Social constructionist perspective

An approach that focuses on how people learn through their interactions with each other  to classify the world and their place in the world

Social exchange theory

A theory in the rational choice perspective that sees human behavior as based on the desire to maximize benefits and minimize costs in social interactions

Social network theory

A developing theory in the rational choice perspective that focuses on the pattern of ties that link persons and collectivities

Systems perspective

An approach that sees human behavior as the outcome of reciprocal interactions of persons operating within organized and integrated social systems