Definitions Flashcards
Discrimination
Anything that has the effect or limiting the opportunities of certain individuals or groups because of personal characteristics such as race or colour
Prejudice
Pre judgment. Preconceived negative opinion or attitude about a group of people cast without legitimate reasons
Genocide
Organized, systemic destruction of a group by those with power
Stereotype
Forming an instant or fixed picture of a group of people, usually based on false or incomplete information
Systemic discrimination
Policies and practices in an organization that result in the inadequate treatment of members of certain groups
Deviance
Sociological term for behaviour that violates the standards of conduct/expectations of a group or society
Stigma
Erving Goffman
Label used to devalue members of certain social groups
Social control
Ways to promote conformity to societal norms
Without it, social life would be unpredictable
Internal social control
Developed through the socialization process, this is the process by which a member of society accepts the norms as valid
External social control
Society’s efforts to bring those who “stepped outside the lines” back to the social norm - usually made up of a system of punishments and rewards (behaviourism)
Formal sanctions
Rewards/punishments imposed by individuals with special authority
Informal sanctions
Rewards/punishments imposed by members of the group
Primary deviance
Deviance involving occasional breaking of norms, but is not a part of their self concept or lifestyle
Secondary deviance
Deviance in which an individuals life/self concept/identity are organized around breaking norms
Social movement
Highly structured, rational, and enduring form of behaviour
Shepard and Greene
