Social Structure and Demographics Flashcards
sociology
study of society
macro-sociology
large groups and social structure
microsociology
focuses on small groups and the individual
social structure
system of people within a society organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships
functionalism/functional analysis
study of the structure and function of each part of society, view society like a living organism, when parts of society fulfill their functions, society is in a normal state
function
refer to the beneficial consequences of people’s actions; functions help keep society in balance
dysfunctions
harmful consequences of people’s actions as they undermine a social system’s equilibrium
manifest function
action is intended to help some part of a system
latent function
manifest functions can have unintended consequence, which can be called latent functions
deviance
act or behavior that goes against social norms
power
a form of influence over other people
conflict theory
based on the works of Karl Marx, focuses on how power differentials are created and how these differentials contribute to the maintenance of social order
symbolic interactionism
the study of the ways individuals interact through a shared understanding of words, gestures, and things to which we attach meaning; how we use symbols to interact with each other
symbols–> thing which we attach meaning–> are key to understanding how we view the world and communicate with one another
social constructionism
how individuals put together their social reality; how we as a society construct concepts and principles; like how a society defines honor or the meaning given to money
rational choice theory
focuses on decision making in an individual and attempts to reduce this process to a careful consideration of benefits and harms to the individual
exchange theory
extension of rational choice theory, focuses on interactions in groups, assumes behavior that is met with approval by others will reinforce that behavior and encourage its continuation
feminist theory
attempts to explain social inequalities that exist on the basis of gender
gender roles
refer to the behaviors expected of a given gender
women are also objectified more than men; less frequently promoted/more likely to hit the glass ceiling
social institutions
well-established social structures that dictate certain patterns of behavior or relationships and are accepted as a fundamental part of culture
elder abuse
seen across all socioeconomic classes and most commonly manifests as neglect of an older relative
child abuse
most commonly manifests as neglect, although physical, sexual, and psychological abuse are also common
hidden curriculum
education that transmits social norms, attitudes, and beliefs to students
teacher expectancy
refers to the idea that teachers tend to get what they expect from students
cult
a religious sect that takes on extreme or deviant philosophies
fundamentalism
maintenance of strict adherence to religious code
secularizes
moves form a world dominated by religion toward rationality and scientific thinking
charismatic authority
leader with a compelling personality
capitalist economies
focus on free market trade and laissez-faire polices, success is driven by consumerism
