Introduction To Sociology Flashcards
Social structure
The social institutions and relationships that form the building blocks of society
Culture
Is the term used to describe the overall way of life of a society ( language, belief, values, norms, customs )
Norms
A central part of culture; the rules we follow in our everyday life, ranging from the law to simple good manners
Values
Central part of culture; much more general than norms, normally a belief that something is good, desirable and worth striving for.
Marxism
Part of structuralism; contrast to functionalism. A view that capitalist societies are characterised by class inequality and conflict rather than order.
Interactionist perspective
Focuses on individual behaviour (micro-scale) the way people behave and interact with each other in everyday life.
Socialisation
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.
Identity
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.
Structuralism
Is concerned with the overall view of society, and the way social institutions limit or control individual behaviour.
Status
The role someone occupies in society, people’s social standing in the eyes of others.
Social controls
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.
Structuration
Middle way between structuralism and action theories. The way society has to be supported and constantly recreated.
Functional prerequisites
Certain basic needs and requirements that must be met if society is to survive.
Bourgeoisie
The ruling class, those who have the most power.
Role conflict
The conflict between the successful performance of two or more roles at the same time.
Social institutions
Various organised social arrangements which are found in societies (family, religion, education etc)
Qualitative data
Information about people ideas, views, feelings and experiences.
Social structure
The social institutions and relationships that form the building blocks of society.
Labelling
Defining a group or person in a particular way as a certain ‘type’ of person/group.
Proletariat
Those who do no have control and sell their label for minimal pay.
False consciousness
A fake view that world is exactly how it should be.
Participant observant
The researcher joins the group they are researching and observes from within
Value consensus
A general agreement around the main values and norms of any society.
Functionalism
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.
Hegemony
The dominance in society of a ruling class set of ideas over others, and acceptance of and consent to them by the other classes.
Unstructured interview
Where the interviewer and respondent have a conversation without set questions.
