Key Terms

Question 1

Conflict theory

Answer 1

A theory that views society as made up of groups which have conflicting interests, such as the Marxist view that society is divided into two opposed classes.

Question 2

Consensus theory

Answer 2

In contrast to conflict theories, perspectives such as functionalism see society as essentially harmonious.

Question 3

Culture

Answer 3

Includes the norms, values and behaviours that are shared by a social group or society that are transmitted across generations through the socialisation process.

Question 4

Globalisation

Answer 4

The growing interconnectedness of societies across the world, as a result of factors such as the creation of global media and global markets.

Question 5

Identity

Answer 5

An individual’s sense of self that emerges through the socialisation process and interactions with other people.

Question 6

Ideology

Answer 6

A set of ideas, values and beliefs that are intended to justify the interests of a dominant social group.

Question 7

Industrialisation

Answer 7

The introduction of mechanisation and mass-production that has led many societies to transform from being agricultural to adopting the factory system of production.

Question 8

Life chances

Answer 8

The chances members of different social groups have to obtain those things that are desirable, including educational achievements, good income and health.

Question 9

Modernity

Answer 9

The period during which logic and rational principles were applied to the development and organisation of societies, as opposed to the more religious principles applied before this.

Question 10

Norms and values

Answer 10

These refer to the rules and expectations of what is important and right within a social group, which are passed on through the socialisation process and which serve to formally or informally control the behaviour of group members.

Question 11

Postmodernity

Answer 11

A perspective that views society as changing rapidly which has led to growing uncertainty and risk. As a result society has become so unstable and diverse that it is not possible for any one theory (or meta-narrative) to explain how it works.

Question 12

Power relationships

Answer 12

Differences in the power and influence of those within a relationship such as marriage, that may relate to money and decision-making and that may reflect inequality.

Question 13

Secularisation

Answer 13

The process whereby religious thinking, participation and influence in society is seen to be less important and in decline.

Question 14

Socialisation

Answer 14

The process of learning and internalising the culture of a society. The primary agent of socialisation is mainly the family, while secondary agents include the education system, the media and peer groups.

Question 15

Social action theories

Answer 15

Theories that see individuals as having free will and giving meanings to their actions, they are not simply passively shaped by the structures of society.

Question 16

Social change

Answer 16

Significant changes to the functions and structure of society, including those brought about by such processes as industrialisation and secularisation.

Question 17

Social class

Answer 17

A social group of people who share a similar income, wealth or type of occupation, including class differences between manual and non-manual occupations.

Question 18

Social construction

Answer 18

The construction of something through social processes rather than structural causes, for example interactionists view crime as being constructed through the meanings and interpretations given to a suspect’s actions by the crown prosecution services.

Question 19

Social control

Answer 19

The process by which society seeks to ensure its members follow society’s norms and values by both informally and formally controlling behaviour.

Question 20

Social differentiation

Answer 20

The physical and social separation of social groups within society.

Question 21

Social groups

Answer 21

Groups of people who share common social interests or social injustices, including groupings by class, gender, ethnicity and sexuality.

Question 22

Social mobility

Answer 22

The movement of individuals or groups up the social hierarchy or down, for example some sociologists argue that working class pupils who are educationally successful can become middle class.

Question 23

Social problems

Answer 23

Social behaviour that causes public friction or unrest, and which needs collective action to resolve, for example a growth in anti-social behaviour.

Question 24

Social structure

Answer 24

The network of social institutions and social relationships that form the organisation and authority of society.

Question 25

Stratification

Answer 25

The division of society into a hierarchy of unequal social groups, based on wealth, power or status. The stratification may be based on gender, ethnicity and class differences. Those in groups lower down the hierarchy are likely to have correspondingly lower life-chances than those in higher groups.

Question 26

Subcultures

Answer 26

A smaller group within the main-stream culture of a society, that are in some ways different from main-stream culture, for example some youth cultures have very different values and behaviours to those of the older generations in society.

Question 27

Religiosity

Answer 27

Refers to the extent to which someone sees themselves as religious.

Question 28

Fundamentalism

Answer 28

Appeal to traditions, they seek a return to the basics or fundamentals of their faith.

Question 29

Theology

Answer 29

Religious beliefs that have been systematically developed.

Question 30

Anomie

Answer 30

• Social condition that occurs when a society’s previously common norms and values disappear or disintegrate.

• Typically causes people to feel a lack of belonging and that they are disconnected from their society

Question 31

Value consensus

Answer 31

The need for societies to have a common set of beliefs and principles to work with and towards

Question 32

Meritocracy

Answer 32

A society whereby jobs and pay are allocated based on an individual’s talent and achievements rather than social status

Question 33

Instrumental role

Answer 33

a functionalist understanding of the male’s function in the family

Question 34

Expressive role

Answer 34

A functionalist understanding of the female’s function in the family