Chapter 4 Sociology Terms Flashcards
Macrosociology
analysis of social life that focuses on broad features of society, such as social class and the relationships of groups to one another, usually used by functionalists and conflict theorists
Micsosociology
analysis of social life that focuses on social interaction, typically used by symbolic interactionists
Social Interaction
one person’s actions influencing someone else; usually refers to what people do when they are in one another’s presence, but also includes communications at a distance
Social Structure
the framework of society that surrounds us; consists of the way that people and groups are related to one another; this framework gives direction to and sets limits on our behavior
Social Class
according to Weber, a large group of people who rank close to one another in property, power, and prestige; according to Marx, one of two groups: capitalists who on the means of production or workers who sell their labor
Status
the position that someone occupies in a social group (also called social status)
Status Set
all the statuses or positions that an individual occupies
Ascribed Status
a position an individual either inherits at birth or receives involuntary later in life
Achieved Status
positions that are earned, accomplished, or involve at least some effort or activity on the individual’s part
Status Symbols
indicators of a status; items that display prestige
Master Status
a status that cuts across the other statuses that an individual occupies
Status Inconsistency
ranking high on some dimensions of social status and low on others; also called status discrepancy
Role
the behaviors, obligations, and privileges attached to a status
Group
people who interact with one another and who believe that what they have in common is significant; also called a social group
Social Institution
the organized, usual, or standard ways by which society meets its basic needs
Social Integration
the degree to which members of a group or a society are united by shared values and other social bonds; also known as social cohesion
Mechanical Solidarity
Durkheim’s term for the unity that people feel as a result of performing the same or similar tasks
Division of Labor
The splitting of a group’s or a society’s tasks into specialities
Organic Solidarity
Durkheim’s term for the interdependence that results from the division of labor; as part of the same unit, we all depend on others to fulfill their jobs
Gemeinschaft
A type of society in which life is intimate; a community in which everyone knows everyone else and people share a sense of togetherness
Gesellschaft
a type of society that is dominated by impersonal relationships, individual accomplishments, and self-interest
Impression Management
people’s efforts to control the impressions that others receive of them
Front Stages
places where people give performances
Back Stages
places where people rest from their performances, discuss their presentations, and plan future performances
