Introduction

Question 1

Define norm

Answer 1

The appropriate and expected behaviour in particular social contexts.

Question 2

Define values

Answer 2

Beliefs or ideas about what is desirable or worth striving for which provides general guidelines for conduct.

Question 3

Define socialisation

Answer 3

The process of learning the culture and appropriate behaviour (norms and values) of the society we are born into so that we are prepared for the roles we play in society.

Question 4

Define culture

Answer 4

The whole way of life of a particular society or social group including their norms, values, customs and beliefs.

Question 5

Define identity

Answer 5

How we see ourselves and how other people see us. Sources of identity includes age, gender, ethnicity and social class.

Question 6

Define informal social control

Answer 6

Control of people’s behaviour based on social processes such as the approval and disapproval of others and therefore enforced via social pressure.

Question 7

Define formal social control

Answer 7

Control of people’s behaviour based on written laws and rules and is associated with how the state regulates and controls our behaviour.

Question 8

Define sanctions

Answer 8

Sanctions are mechanisms of social control. They can be positive or negative and can arise from either formal or informal social control.

Question 9

Define deviance

Answer 9

Behaviour that doesn’t conform to society’s norms and values. If detected can lead to negative sanctions. Deviancy can be, but not always illegal.

Question 10

Define roles

Answer 10

The latter of expected and acceptable behaviour of people who occupy a particular social position.

Question 11

Define inequality

Answer 11

The unequal distribution of resources and opportunities.

Question 12

What is consensus theory?

Answer 12

A sociological approach that sees society’s systems are fair and that social change should take place within the social institutions. Consensus theory is concerned with the maintenance of social order in society

Question 13

What is conflict theory?

Answer 13

A sociological approach which sees society as based on conflicts tensions, and divisions between social groups

Question 14

Define stratification

Answer 14

The way in which society is structured or divided into hierarchical strata with the most powerful at the top and the least favoured at the bottom.

Question 15

Define power

Answer 15

The ability of an individual or group to dominate and control other individuals or groups.

Question 16

Define social order

Answer 16

Patterns of shared and predictable behaviour

Question 17

Define social institutions

Answer 17

A part of society such as the family or education

Question 18

Define social solidarity

Answer 18

A sense of community

Question 19

Define Social integration

Answer 19

A sense of belonging to society

Question 20

Define value consensus

Answer 20

The majority of members of a society are in general agreement in what are considered to be important values and standards of behaviour.

Question 21

Define ideology

Answer 21

The norms and values that justify the capitalist system.

Question 22

Define Capitalism

Answer 22

An economic system associated with modern societies, based on the private ownership of businesses

Question 23

Define false class consciousness

Answer 23

The state of not being aware of our true identity as exploited workers

Question 24

Define bourgeoise

Answer 24

The owners of the means of production and the ruling class in capitalist societies

Question 25

Define proletariat

Answer 25

The working class and oppressed in capitalist societies

Question 26

Define means of production

Answer 26

The land, factories, machines, science and technology, and labour power required to produce goods

Question 27

Define meritocratic

Answer 27

A system based on ability and effort.

Question 28

Define legitimate

Answer 28

Making something appear fair and reasonable

Question 29

Define patriarchal

Answer 29

A system dominated by males

Question 30

Define hierarchy

Answer 30

The way in which society is stratified where people on the top have more power than the people below them.

Question 31

Define Oppression

Answer 31

The prolonged unjust treatment or control of people by others.

Question 32

Define exploitation

Answer 32

The act of treating an individual or group in a cruel manner for ones benefit.

Question 33

Define private sphere

Answer 33

A sector in societal life where an individual within it can enjoy a degree of nonintervention by other institutions such as the family

Question 34

Define public sphere

Answer 34

A sector in societal life in which individuals can freely come together to discuss and identify social problems

Question 35

Define ideological state apparatus

Answer 35

The ways in which the dominant ideological group maintains their position of power through social institutions such as education.

Question 36

Define repressive state apparatus

Answer 36

The way in which the main ideological group maintains their powers usually through the army when the ideological state apparatus fails.

Question 37

Define self-concept

Answer 37

An idea of the self constructed from the beliefs one holds about oneself and the responses of others.

Question 38

Define master status

Answer 38

The social position that is the primary identifying characteristic of an individual

Question 39

What is social action theory?

Answer 39

A micro approach that investigates small scale interactions and see humans as having an active role in changing social values and attitudes

Question 40

What is labelling theory?

Answer 40

The process of attaching a label to individuals or groups which can often lead to self-fulfilling prophecy which affects their self-concept and leading to marginalisation, social exclusion and the deviant career