Social Structure and Demographics Flashcards
Social structure
A system of people within a society organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships
Functionalism
Study of the structure and function of each part of society
-society is in a normal state if all parts are fulfilling their functions
Function - definition
Later theorist defined it as the beneficial consequences of people’s actions
-help keep society in balance
Dysfunctions
Harmful consequences of peoples actions as they undermine a social system’s equilibrium
Manifest function
Action is intended to help some part of a system
Latent functions
Manifest functions that have unintended positive consequences on other parts of society
Conflict theory
Based on the works of Karl Marx
Focuses on the power differentials: how they are created and how they contribute to the maintenance of social order
Symbolic interactionism
study of the way individuals interact through a shared understanding of words, gestures, and other symbols
Social constructionism theory
Focuses on how individuals put together their social reality
Social constructs
arise from humans communicating and working together to agree on the significance of a concept or principle
-ex: work ethic, dress code, gender roles
Rational choice theory
Focuses on decision making in an individual
-attempts to reduce this process to a careful consideration of benefits and harms
In any given social situation the individual chooses the action that has the highest benefit to harm ratio
Exchange theory
Extension of rational choice theory - focuses on interactions in groups
- behaviour that is met with approval will be reinforced
- behaviour that is met with disapproval is punished which discourages its continuation
Feminist theory
Attempts to explain social inequalities that exist on the basis of gender
-focus on the subordination of women through social structures and institutional discrimination
Social Institutions
well-established social structures that dictate certain patterns of behaviour and are accepted as fundamental part of culture
-ex: family, education
Social Institution: Family
Influences by a number of factors like gender, age, race, beliefs, practices, etc.
Patterns of kinship reflected by different terms that are not conserved across cultures (mother, cousins, brother..)
Sociologists look at stages of coupling, relationships between spouses, parenting etc.
Divorce rates in the US have been…?
Increasing significantly in the later 20th century but have started to drop in the past 2 decades
Domestic violence
1 cause of injury to american women
Seen across all social classes
Most common in families with drug abuse (especially alcoholism)
Elder abuse
Usually manifests itself as neglect of an older relative
caretaker of the individual is most often the source of abuse
Child abuse
Most commonly manifests as neglect
-physical, sexual, and psychological abuse are also common
Hidden curriculum
Education not only includes information and cognitive skills but also is a methods of transmitting social norms, attitudes and beliefs
Teacher expectancy
Refers to the fact that teachers tend to get what they expect from students
-ones who places high demand AND believes the students can succeed tend to see more student success