Core Themes Flashcards
What is sociology?
The study of humans social life, groups and society. This includes interactions between individuals and the investigation of worldwide social processes.
What is the definition of society?
A society is a grouping of individuals characterised by patterns of relationships between individuals, that may have distinctive culture and institutions, or, more broadly, an economic, social and industrial infrastructure in which a varied multitude of people or peoples are a part.
Ascribed status
Social position which is given to an individual at birth.
Power
Advantage/ability to exert your will over other.
Sanctions
Actions that encourage or discourage certain behaviour.
Secondary socialisation
The process of learning societies norms and values that continues throughout life.
Values
General beliefs about things that are important and worthwhile in society.
Social class
Group of people who share a similar economic situation (based on occupation and income).
Stratification
Division of society into layers based on social status.
Identity
The sense of who we are (acquired via socialisation).
Achieved status
Social position achieved through an individual’s own efforts.
Social differentiation
Ways of distinguishing between social groups (through variations in characteristics such as cultural, power, wealth and status).
Social control
They ways societies try to ensure that members behave in an expected way.
Norms
Rules of behaviour in society situations.
Customs
Norms that have lasted for a long time so then become part of society’s traditions.
