Definitions Flashcards
(25 cards)
Define the Sociological imagination.
C. Wright mills - How we come to see the interaction of self society. The difference between personal troubles and public issues.
Define Sociology.
The study of modern societies.
Define Political Science.
the study of government, political systems, institutions and power.
define social anthropology.
The study of traditional societies.
Define psychology.
The study of individual behaviour and mental processes.
Define society.
A population living in a unified geographical area that is subject to a shared political authority.
Describe some sociological features?
Individual members e.g. inclusion/exclusion/marginalisation.
Social groups
Shared values and norms.
Institutional structures.
Collective agents that act on and influence e.g. the state.
Societies have histories and go through historical era e.g. biculturalism.
Modern societies are the product of ?
Three revolutions.
Scientific - from c. 1550. (took over from religion)
Industrial - from c. 1780.(capitalist society)
Political - from c. 1750. - challenges religion.
August Comte - 1838 - created term sociology.
Describe the society-self relationship?
us and society as separate. conversely in modernity - much more fluid relationship.
What do sociologists think about the us-society relationship?
Everyday life - our thoughts, actions, feelings, decisions, interactions and so on - is the product of a complex interplay between societal forces and personal characteristics. Relationship of mutual influence. As part of society we also have an influence on society.
Where do social influences come from?
Social structures and social processes.
What are social structures?
Parts (building blocks) of society and the ties connecting them together (mortar)
Statuses and roles:
- Groups and collectives.
- Social institutions.
- Culture
Define status?
Any socially defined position that a person can occupy.
- Acribed: acquired involuntarily e.g. at birth, prince/ss, or as part of life course - old age.
- Achieved through our own efforts e.g. student.
Define roles.
Expectations of behaviour linked to particular status positions. Social norms.
Define Groups.
Comprised of people who share an identity or who interact with each other on a regular basis.
Define Institutions.
Stable forms of organisation that have roles, rules and relationships that guide behaviour and meet social needs.
Define culture.
Language, values, beliefs, norms of conduct and physical artefacts.
Define social processes.
The movement between social structures - how you are linked to social processes.
- Socialisation
- Stratification (hierarchy e.g. students, tutors, lecturers).
Stratification can create?
conflict/struggle which leads to change.
Stratification processes lead to?
unequal distribution of rewards and resources across society.
What are some of the drivers of stratification?
Capitalism (class divisions) Imperialism, colonialism, and racism (ethnic divisions/racism)
Patriarchy and heterosexism (gender and sexuality divisions)
Stable patters of inequality called social divisions.
What are stable patterns (key words) of inequality?
Social divisions.
How are social divisions connected to inequalities?
distribution of power, positions, and resources.
Connected to CAGES
Class, Age, Gender, Ethnicity, Sexuality.
What do social divisions do ?
Mediate our uptake of statuses and roles in social organisations and institutions.
Shape how we give meaning to our lives (source of identities.)
