Introduction To Sociology Flashcards
What is Sociology?
Study of human social relationships and instutions
What do sociologists study?
- Education
- Family
- Crime
- The Media
- Gender
- Politics
- The workplace
- Nuture vs nature
Why is it useful to study society?
- Make differences / changes
- Deeper understanding of cultures
- Understanding why people behave the way they do
Culture
Whenever humans come together in groups, used to describe the way of life they live
What does a society share?
- Norms + Values
- Diet
- Religious beliefs
- Mannerisms
- Language
- Lifestyle choices
Socialisation
Taught how to behave, adults have to learn what to do in each new situation they find themselves in
Norms
Rules or guidelines for expected behavior
Mores
Ways of behaving that are seen as good or moral
Name some norms that have changed over time
- Children smoking and drinking alchol
- Childhood
- Corporal punishment
- Education
- Child labour
- Swimwear
- Image of men + women
Values
Widely accepted beliefs that some things are worthwhile and desirable
How do values connect to beliefs?
As many of us take our system of values and morals from our personal ideas about society and they influence the way we act
Customs
Traditional and regular forms of behaviour associated with social occasions
- Accompained by traditons + rituals
Eg = Bonfire night, the custom would be fireworks
Status
Persons standing or position within society
Ascribed Status
Status that you are given automatically, for example being born into royalty
Achieved Status
Positions in life changed through efforts, for example Lord Sugar making his way from market stalls to making millions worldwide
Role Conflict
Where roles clash, for example being a student who has to study but being a friend to someone who needs your help
Social Control
Ways of ensuring people conform to norms + values so that social order is kept in place, written and unwritten rules
Formal Social Control
Official control on the basis of clearly written down laws / rules
Informal Social Control
Unofficial control, not based on written rules + often based on expectation
Sanctions are a form of..
Social Control
What do positive sanctions do?
Reinforce good behaviour throughout rewards
What do negative sanctions do?
Discourage behaviours through punishment
Material Culture
Physical things that people create + attach themselves to, for example clothing, cars etc
Non - Material Culture
Ideas that people share, their rules, traditons, languages and history. Important because helps people to understand their social world and guidelines on how to behave
