Sociology Flashcards
‘The ways human behaviour, interaction and social institutions change over time and vary across social and cultural contexts’
Social Construction
‘The idea that social relations are organised along patterned lines that endure over time and that act as a constraint on the individuals living within them, even though they may not be aware of it’
Social Structure
‘A way of acting, thinking and feeling, independent of the will of the individual’
Social Fact
‘The symbolic, learned and socially constructed aspects of society that include language, morals, values, meanings, beliefs and lifestyles, as well as scientific knowledge and technology’
Culture
‘Rules of behaviour about how people should behave’
Social Norms
‘How people interpret their situation and negotiate with those around them according to that interpretation and the opportunities available to them’
Human Agency
‘The transmission or reproduction of socially patterned behaviours that exist within [a] culture’
Socialisation
‘The characteristics that people regard as part of their self but which are derived from their social environment’
Identity
Actions taken by individuals or groups to bring about social change or to address societal issues, often motivated by shared values or goals.
Social Action
Anthony Giddens’ theory that explores the interplay between individual agency and social structures, emphasising that social practices are both shaped by and shape the structures in which they occur.
Structuration
A form of colonialism where foreign settlers come to a land and establish a permanent presence, often displacing and exploiting indigenous populations and their resources.
Settler-Colonialism
Frameworks or sets of beliefs, values, and practices that shape how individuals or societies understand and interpret the world, often guiding scientific research and cultural norms.
Paradigms
A theoretical perspective that examines social phenomena through the lens of gender relations, emphasising the experiences and perspectives of women and advocating for gender equality.
Feminist Theory
‘The ways in which European modernity has also been associated with the spread of empire by the British, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Germans, Dutch and Belgians in India, SouthEast Asia, Indonesia, Fiji, New Caledonia, the Middle East, the Caribbean, most of Africa, and Central and South America’
Colonialism
‘The new social order that is believed by some sociologists to be replacing ‘modernity’ in advanced industrial societies’
Postmodernity
‘The complex range of phenomena associated with the historical process, commencing in the 17th century, which saw Western societies change from an agricultural to an industrial foundation, and from a feudal to a capitalist economy’
Modernity
Which is a social norm?
a) some animals should not be eaten
b) it is not ok to bite into a hot cross bun that isn’t toasted or buttered
c) hard work should be rewarded
b) it is not ok to bite into a hot cross bun that isn’t toasted or buttered
Complex, integrated sets of social norms organised around the preservation of a basic societal value (e.g., family, education, religion).
Social Institutions
The positions individuals hold in social structures and the expectations associated with these positions.
Roles and Statuses
The distribution of resources and opportunities and the mechanisms that perpetuate disparities.
Power and Inequality
‘The process by which people’s daily lives are increasingly influenced by the growing technological and economic, political and legal, social and cultural integration of people and communities around the world’
Globalisation
Examples of Family/Home Social Norms
- Respecting Elders: Showing deference and respect to older family members.
- Chores and Responsibilities: Family members contributing to household chores according to agreed roles.
- Privacy: Knocking on doors before entering someone’s room.
Examples of General Social Behaviour Social Norms
- Punctuality: Arriving on time for meetings, appointments, or social events.
- Queueing: Waiting in line in an orderly manner without cutting in.
- Politeness: Saying “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me” in appropriate situations.
Examples of Work/Professional Social Norms
- Dress Code: Wearing appropriate attire that fits the workplace’s culture.
- Communication Etiquette: Using professional language and tone in emails and meetings.
- Respecting Work Hours: Not disturbing colleagues outside of work hours unless necessary.
Individuals who uncritically accept and adhere to the norms, values, and beliefs imposed by their culture without questioning or recognising the potential manipulation or control exerted by cultural forces.
Cultural Dupes
The ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and larger social influences. Coined by C. Wright Mills, it involves understanding personal issues within a broader societal context.
Sociological Imagination
A theoretical perspective that views society as composed of groups competing for scarce resources. It emphasises power, inequality, and social change. Key figures include Karl Marx and Max Weber.
Conflict Theory
