Social Structure and Demographics Flashcards
Sociology
The study of society: how we create society, how we interact within it, how we define what is normal and abnormal in society, and how we institutionalize these ideas
Macrosociology
Focuses on large groups and social structure
Microsociology
Focuses on small groups and the individual
Social structure
A system of people within a society organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships
Functionalism/Functional Analysis
The study of the structure and function of each part of society, and how these components fit together
Function
Refers to the beneficial consequences of people’s actions –> according to functionalism theorists, functions help keep society in balance
Dysfunctions
Harmful consequences of people’s actions as they undermine a social system’s equilibrium
Manifest Functions
Deliberate actions that serve to help a given system
Latent Functions
Unexpected, unintended, or unrecognized positive consequences of manifest functions
Power
In a sociological context, refers to a form of influence over other people
Conflict theory
Focuses on how power differentials are created and how these differentials contribute to the maintenance of social order (based on the works of karl marx)
Symbolic interactionism
The study of the ways individuals interact through a shared understanding of words, gestures, and other symbols
Social constructionism
Focuses on how individuals and groups make decisions to put together their social reality
Rational Choice Theory
States that individuals will make decisions that maximize potential benefit and minimize potential harm
Exchange Theory
Applies rational choice theory within social groups
Feminist Theory
Attempts to explain social inequalities that exist on the basis of gender –> theory focuses on the subordination of women through social structures and institutional discrimination
Glass Ceiling
A phenomenon where women are often less frequently promoted in the workplace and may have more difficulty attaining top-level administrative positions within a company
Social Institutions
Well-established social structures that dictate certain patterns of behavior or relationships and are accepted as a fundamental part of culture –> includes family, education, religion, government and the economy, and health and medicine
Mandate reporter
As a physician, one is legally required to report suspected cases of elder or child abuse
Teacher Expectancy
Refers to the idea that teachers tend to get what they expect from students
Religion
Considered to be a pattern of social activities organized around a set of beliefs and practices that seek to address the meaning of existence
Religiosity
Refers to how religious one considers him/herself
4 key tenets of medical ethics
Beneficience, nonmaleficience, respect for patient autonomy, justice
Beneficience
The physician has a responsibility to act in the patient’s best interests
Nonmaleficence
Do no harm; the physician has a responsibility to avoid treatments or interventions in which the potential for harm outweighs the potential for benefit
Respect for patient autonomy
Physician has a responsibility to respect patients’ decisions and choices about their own healthcare
Justice
The physician has a responsibility to treat similar patients with similar care, and to distribute healthcare resources fairly.
Culture
Encompasses the lifestyle of a group of people and includes both material and symbolic elements