Social Structure And Demographics Flashcards
What is macrosociology?
Focuses on large groups and social structure
What is microsociology?
It focuses on small groups and the individual
What is social structure?
It’s a system of people within a society organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships
What is functionalism or functional analysis?
The study of the structure and function of each part of society
What does the term function refer to?
The beneficial consequences of people’s actions
What is the opposite of function?
Dysfunction, which is harmful consequences of people’s actions as they undermine a social system’s equilibrium
What are manifest and latent functions?
A manifest function is an action that is intended to help some part of a system while a latent function is an unintended positive consequence from the manifest function
What is defiance?
It refers to an act or behavior that goes against social norms
Explain conflict theory
It focuses on how power differentials are created and how these differentials contribute to the maintenance of social order
What is symbolic interactionism?
It’s the study of the ways individuals interact through a shared understanding of words, gestures, and other symbols
What are symbols?
Things to which we attach meaning
What is social constructionism?
It focuses on how individuals put together their social reality
What is the rational choice theory?
It focuses on decision making in an individual and attempts to reduce this process to a careful consideration of benefits and harms to the individual.
What is the exchange theory?
It says that an individual will carry out certain behaviors because of anticipated rewards and will avoid certain behaviors because of anticipated punishments
What is the feminist theory?
It seeks to explain the social inequalities that exist on the basis of gender such as the subordination of women through social structures and institutional discrimination
What is gender role?
It refers to the behaviors expected of a given gender
Describe what sexual inequality is.
Differential expectations of behavior between men and women
What does it mean to be objectified?
It means to be viewed as a sexual object rather than a person
What is financial inequality?
That women are frequently underpaid less for equal work and less promoted in the work place
What is the phenomenon known as glass ceiling?
That women are unable to receive as many promotions and have a more difficult time attaining top-level administrative positions within a company
What are social institutions?
Well-established social structures that dictate certain behavior or relationships are accepted as a fundamental part of culture. They regulate the behavior of individuals in core areas of society
What is family?
A social institution that is influence by a number of different factors including culture, value systems, beliefs, practices, gender, age, race, ethnicity, and others.
What is teacher expectancy?
The idea that teachers tend to get what they expect from their students
What is religion?
A pattern of social activities organized around a set of beliefs and practices that seek to address the meaning of existence
What is religiosity?
Refers to how religious one considers him or herself to be and includes strength of religious beliefs, engagement in religious practices, and attitudes about religion itself.
What is a sect?
A religious group that has chosen to break off from the parent religion.
What is a democracy?
It allows every citizen a political vote, usually through electing representatives to office
What is a monarchy?
They have a royal ruler (king or queen) although the rulers powers may be significantly limited by the presence of a constitution and parliamentary system
What is a dictatorship?
A system where a single person holds power, and usually includes mechanisms to quell treats to this power
What is a theocracy?
A system where power is held by religious leaders
What is a capitalist economy?
One that focuses on free market trade and laissez-faire policies, where success or failure in business is primarily driven by consumerism with as little intervention from central governing bodies as possible