Sociology Key Words

Question 1

Marxism

Answer 1

A conflict perspective which suggests society is split into two opposed classes; the bourgeoisie who exploit the proletariat.

Question 2

Functionalism

Answer 2

A consensus perspective that suggests society is based on shared values - the belief that society is like an organism; each part performing functions to maintain the system as a whole.

Question 3

Feminism

Answer 3

A conflict theory and political movement that focuses on women’s oppression and the struggle to end it.

Question 4

Postmodernism

Answer 4

A movement that became popular in the 80s, key factors include fragmentation, chaos and individualism.

Question 5

Interactionism

Answer 5

A sociological perspective that focuses on small-scale (micro) interactions between individuals and groups.

Question 6

New Right

Answer 6

Right wing conservative thinkers headed by Charles Murray who have traditionalist norms and values on institutions such as the family and education. Reject any ideas that specifically benefit the underclass.

Question 7

Personal Life Perspective

Answer 7

Argues that sociologists should study society from the perspectives of individuals, and focus on what societal issues around family and education mean to them.

Question 8

Conflict Theory

Answer 8

Theories that see society as being made up of two or more groups with competing interests e.g. marxism and feminism which see society divided by social class and gender.

Question 9

Consensus Theory

Answer 9

Theories that see people in society as having shared interests and society functioning on the basis of there being shared norms and values. This is mostly associated with functionalism.

Question 10

Macro

Answer 10

Large scale approach emphasizing the analysis of social systems and social populations at a structural level, known as a top down approach.

Question 11

Micro

Answer 11

Small scale approach emphasising focusing on individuals and small groups and interactions between them. Known as bottom up approach.

Question 12

Capitalism

Answer 12

A political and economic system where industry is controlled privately by a small number of individuals.

Question 13

Proletariat

Answer 13

The working class in a capitalist society.

Question 14

Bourgeoisie

Answer 14

A Marxist term for the capitalist class, the owners of the means of production (factories, machinery, land etc.)

Question 15

Ideology

Answer 15

A set of beliefs that serve the interests of a dominant social group by justifying their privileged position.

Question 16

Exploitation

Answer 16

Paying workers less than the value of their labour.

Question 17

Norms

Answer 17

Social rules, expectations or standards that govern our behaviour.

Question 18

Values

Answer 18

Principles or goals. They tell us what is good and important in life and what we should aim for e.g. personal wealth.

Question 19

Value Consensus

Answer 19

Agreement among society’s members about what values are important; a shared culture.

Question 20

Meritocracy

Answer 20

Social system where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed - where individuals’ rewards and status are achieved by their own effort rather than as a result of their gender, class or ethnic group.

Question 21

Socialisation

Answer 21

The process of learning the norms, values and beliefs of our culture.

Question 22

Primary Socialisation

Answer 22

Occurs within the family and involves acquiring the basic skills and values.

Question 23

Secondary socialisation

Answer 23

Takes place when a child learns the values, beliefs and attitudes of their culture through those outside of the family such as teachers, friends and the media.

Question 24

Anomie

Answer 24

A condition of instability resulting from the breakdown of standards and values.

Question 25

Patriarchy

Answer 25

A society based on male domination; male power over women and children.

Question 26

Social Class

Answer 26

A social group which is based on economic wealth, status or occupation.

Question 27

Discrimination

Answer 27

Treating people differently on the basis of their social class, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexuality, religion.

Question 28

Subordination

Answer 28

Being placed in a lower class rank or position, e.g. women, underclass, ethnic minorities.

Question 29

Ethnicity

Answer 29

A social group defined by factors that include race, nationality, religion or cultural heritage.

Question 30

Globalisation

Answer 30

The idea that the world is becoming increasingly interconnected and barriers are disappearing.

Question 31

A conflict perspective which suggests society is split into two opposed classes; the bourgeoisie who exploit the proletariat.

Answer 31

Marxism

Question 32

A consensus perspective that suggests society is based on shared values - the belief that society is like an organism; each part performing functions to maintain the system as a whole.

Answer 32

Functionalism

Question 33

A conflict theory and political movement that focuses on women’s oppression and the struggle to end it.

Answer 33

Feminist

Question 34

A movement that became popular in the 80s, key factors include fragmentation, chaos and individualism.

Answer 34

Postmodernism

Question 35

A sociological perspective that focuses on small-scale (micro) interactions between individuals and groups.

Answer 35

Interactionism

Question 36

Right wing conservative thinkers headed by Charles Murray who have traditionalist norms and values on institutions such as the family and education. Reject any ideas that specifically benefit the underclass.

Answer 36

New Right

Question 37

Argues that sociologists should study society from the perspectives of individuals, and focus on what societal issues around family and education mean to them.

Answer 37

Personal Life Perspective

Question 38

Theories that see society as being made up of two or more groups with competing interests e.g. marxism and feminism which see society divided by social class and gender.

Answer 38

Conflict Theory

Question 39

Theories that see people in society as having shared interests and society functioning on the basis of there being shared norms and values. This is mostly associated with functionalism.

Answer 39

Consensus Theory

Question 40

Large scale approach emphasizing the analysis of social systems and social populations at a structural level, known as a top down approach.

Answer 40

Macro

Question 41

Small scale approach emphasising focusing on individuals and small groups and interactions between them. Known as bottom up approach.

Answer 41

Micro

Question 42

A political and economic system where industry is controlled privately by a small number of individuals.

Answer 42

Capitalism

Question 43

The working class in a capitalist society.

Answer 43

Proletariat

Question 44

A Marxist term for the capitalist class, the owners of the means of production (factories, machinery, land etc.)

Answer 44

Bourgeoisie

Question 45

A set of beliefs that serve the interests of a dominant social group by justifying their privileged position.

Answer 45

Ideology

Question 46

Paying workers less than the value of their labour.

Answer 46

Exploitation

Question 47

Social rules, expectations or standards that govern our behaviour.

Answer 47

Norms

Question 48

Principles or goals. They tell us what is good and important in life and what we should aim for e.g. personal wealth.

Answer 48

Values

Question 49

Agreement among society’s members about what values are important; a shared culture.

Answer 49

Value Consensus

Question 50

Social system where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed - where individuals’ rewards and status are achieved by their own effort rather than as a result of their gender, class or ethnic group.

Answer 50

Meritocracy

Question 51

The process of learning the norms, values and beliefs of our culture.

Answer 51

Socialisation

Question 52

Occurs within the family and involves acquiring the basic skills and values.

Answer 52

Primary Socialisation

Question 53

Takes place when a child learns the values, beliefs and attitudes of their culture through those outside of the family such as teachers, friends and the media.

Answer 53

Secondary Socialisation

Question 54

A condition of instability resulting from the breakdown of standards and values.

Answer 54

Anomie

Question 55

A society based on male domination; male power over women and children.

Answer 55

Patriarchy

Question 56

A social group which is based on economic wealth, status or occupation.

Answer 56

Social Class

Question 57

Treating people differently on the basis of their social class, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexuality, religion.

Answer 57

Discrimination

Question 58

Being placed in a lower class rank or position, e.g. women, underclass, ethnic minorities.

Answer 58

Subordination

Question 59

A social group defined by factors that include race, nationality, religion or cultural heritage.

Answer 59

Ethnicity

Question 60

The idea that the world is becoming increasingly interconnected and barriers are disappearing.

Answer 60

Globalisation