Introduction To Sociology

Question 1

Social structure

Answer 1

The social institutions and relationships that form the building blocks of society

Question 2

Culture

Answer 2

Is the term used to describe the overall way of life of a society ( language, belief, values, norms, customs )

Question 3

Norms

Answer 3

A central part of culture; the rules we follow in our everyday life, ranging from the law to simple good manners

Question 4

Values

Answer 4

Central part of culture; much more general than norms, normally a belief that something is good, desirable and worth striving for.

Question 5

Marxism

Answer 5

Part of structuralism; contrast to functionalism. A view that capitalist societies are characterised by class inequality and conflict rather than order.

Question 6

Interactionist perspective

Answer 6

Focuses on individual behaviour (micro-scale) the way people behave and interact with each other in everyday life.

Question 7

Socialisation

Answer 7

The process in which we learn the culture of our society, and is therefore crucial for our identity. Family, education, friends, religion, the media and the criminal justice systems are all institutions that play a key role in socialisation.

Question 8

Identity

Answer 8

The term used to describe how we see ourselves and how other people see us, partly formed by our culture but we may seek to identify our identity within that.

Question 9

Structuralism

Answer 9

Is concerned with the overall view of society, and the way social institutions limit or control individual behaviour.

Question 10

Status

Answer 10

The role someone occupies in society, people’s social standing in the eyes of others.

Question 11

Social controls

Answer 11

The ways society seeks to ensure its members follow the norms and values through the use of the criminal justice system or simply public embarrassment.

Question 12

Structuration

Answer 12

Middle way between structuralism and action theories. The way society has to be supported and constantly recreated.

Question 13

Functional prerequisites

Answer 13

Certain basic needs and requirements that must be met if society is to survive.

Question 14

Bourgeoisie

Answer 14

The ruling class, those who have the most power.

Question 15

Role conflict

Answer 15

The conflict between the successful performance of two or more roles at the same time.

Question 16

Social institutions

Answer 16

Various organised social arrangements which are found in societies (family, religion, education etc)

Question 17

Qualitative data

Answer 17

Information about people ideas, views, feelings and experiences.

Question 18

Social structure

Answer 18

The social institutions and relationships that form the building blocks of society.

Question 19

Labelling

Answer 19

Defining a group or person in a particular way as a certain ‘type’ of person/group.

Question 20

Proletariat

Answer 20

Those who do no have control and sell their label for minimal pay.

Question 21

False consciousness

Answer 21

A fake view that world is exactly how it should be.

Question 22

Participant observant

Answer 22

The researcher joins the group they are researching and observes from within

Question 23

Value consensus

Answer 23

A general agreement around the main values and norms of any society.

Question 24

Functionalism

Answer 24

Sees society built up and working (like the human body) made up of interrelated parts which function for, and contribute to, the maintenance of society as a whole.

Question 25

Hegemony

Answer 25

The dominance in society of a ruling class set of ideas over others, and acceptance of and consent to them by the other classes.

Question 26

Unstructured interview

Answer 26

Where the interviewer and respondent have a conversation without set questions.