Introducing Sociology

Question 1

Nature

Answer 1

Inborn or natural

Question 2

Nurture

Answer 2

Upbringing

Question 3

Culture

Answer 3

Way of life

Question 4

Norms

Answer 4

Guidelines for behaviour

Question 5

Values

Answer 5

General principles or goals

Question 6

Globalisation

Answer 6

the idea that the world is becoming increasingly interconnected and barriers are disappearing

Question 7

Sanctions

Answer 7

anything that encourages individuals to conform to norms

Question 8

Social control

Answer 8

ensuring members of society behave in ways that is expected of them

Question 9

Subcultures

Answer 9

a group of people within society who share norm, values, beliefs and attitudes that are in some way different or opposed to the mainstream culture

Question 10

Socialisation

Answer 10

the process by which an individual learns or internalises the culture of society

Question 11

Primary socialisation

Answer 11

learning basic skills, language and norms and values at an early age, occuring usually within the family

Question 12

Secondary socialisation

Answer 12

learning norms and values at a later stage in life at school and in wider society.

Question 13

Status and role

Answer 13

a position in society

Question 14

ascribed status

Answer 14

our position is determined by fixed characteristics that we are born with and cannot normally change

Question 15

achieved status

Answer 15

when an individual’s position is the result of their effort and ability

Question 16

structural view

Answer 16

society shapes the individual

Question 17

social action view

Answer 17

individual creates society through their interaction

Question 18

consensus

Answer 18

agreement

Question 19

conflict

Answer 19

disagreement amongst groups

Question 20

functionalism

Answer 20

consensus perspective in sociology that sees society as based on shared values into which members are socialised. each part of society has a role to play to maintain the system as a whole

Question 21

marxism

Answer 21

conflict perspective based on the ideas of Karl Marx. it sees society as divided into two opposed classes: bourgeoisie and proletariat (ruling class and working class)

Question 22

feminism

Answer 22

a sociological perspective that focuses on women’s oppresion and the struggle to end it

Question 23

postmodernism

Answer 23

a perspective that rejects the modernist’s belief in progress and their view that we can have certain, true knowledge of society that will enable us to improve it

Question 24

gender

Answer 24

social and cultural characteristics of men and women. gender differences in behaviour are cultural and learnt through gender role socialisation

Question 25

ethnic group

Answer 25

people who share the same heritage, culture and identity, often including the same language and religion, and who see themselves as a a distinct group

Question 26

social class

Answer 26

social groupings or hierarchy based on differences in wealth, income or occupation

Question 27

social solidarity

Answer 27

individual members see themselves to be part of a single ‘body’ or community

Question 28

structuralist theory

Answer 28

sees society as shaping the individual

Question 29

social action theory

Answer 29

a sociological explanation that sees individuals as aving choice, creating social reality through interactions

Question 30

social stratification

Answer 30

inequalities between groups such as social classes, men and women, ethnic groups and age groups

Question 31

capitalism

Answer 31

a system based on making a profit. this is conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat

Question 32

ideology

Answer 32

a set of beliefs that serve the interests of the dominant social group by justifying their privileged position

Question 33

legitimate

Answer 33

justifying something by making it seem fair and natural

Question 34

means of production

Answer 34

owners of factories, machiney, raw materials, land etc

Question 35

traditiona society

Answer 35

rural, agricultural society, there was little social change, a strong sense of community and religion dominated people’s view of the world

Question 36

modern society

Answer 36

an urban-industrial society with social and technological change and a belief in progress and science

Question 37

postmodern society

Answer 37

a post-industrial society in which change is increasingly rapid and uneven, and where people have lost faith in the ability of science to bring about progress

Question 38

meritocratic

Answer 38

everyone has an equal chance to succeed in the education system. how well you do depends on how hard you try. rewards and status are acheived by their own efforts rather than ascribed

Question 39

triple shift

Answer 39

housework, paid work and eomotion work - some sociologists argue that women carry this out

Question 40

structuration

Answer 40

combining both structural and social action theories

Question 41

triangulation

Answer 41

using two or more methods so that they complement each other, the strengths of one countering the weaknesses of the other and vise versa