Social structures, demographics, and stratification (BS 11, 12) Flashcards
(26 cards)
functionalism
explains how parts of society fit together to create a cohesive whole, via both manifest (intended to help) and latent (unintended positive) functions
conflict theory
emphasizes the role of power differentials in producing social order
symbolic interactionism
studies the way individuals interact through a shared understanding of words, gestures, and other symbols
social constructionism
uncovers the ways in which individuals and groups participate in the formation of their perceived social reality
rational choice theory
individuals consider benefits and harms to themselves in any given social interaction and choose the best possible action
exchange theory
an extension of rational choice theory that focuses on interactions in groups; behavior is engaged in based on expectancy of future reward or punishment
social institutions
well-established social structures that dictate certain patterns of behaviors or relationships including family, education, religion, government, economy, and healthcare
material culture
includes artifacts one associates with a specific group (ex. clothing, food)
symbolic culture
focuses on the ideas that represent a group (ex. songs, themes); slower to change than material culture
values
dictates one’s ethical principals and standards of behavior
ritual
formalized ceremony that involves specific material objects, symbolism, and specific behaviors
fertility rate
average number of children per woman per lifetime; contribute to population growth
mortality rate
number of deaths per unit time; a contributor to the increasing average age of the population in the US
migration
immigration (movement into) and emigration (movement away) contribute to population size; US has a larger net immigration than emigration
stages of demographic transition
1: preindustrial (birth and death rates high)
2: improved healthcare, sanitation, and wages cause decreased death rate
3: improvements in contraception, women’s rights, and shift to industrial economy cause birth rates to drop
4: industrialized society (birth and death rates low)
Malthusian theory
focuses on how the exponential growth of a population can outpace growth of the food supply leading to social disorder
globalization
the process of integrating the global economy with free trade and tapping of foreign markets
urbanization
dense areas of population creating a pull for migration
ascribed status
based on clearly identifiable characteristics like age, gender, skin color
achieved status
acquired via direct, individual efforts
social capital
investments people make in their society in return for economic or collective rewards; the greater the investment the higher the level of social integration
social mobility
the result of an economic and occupational structure that allows a person to acquire higher-level employment opportunities given proper experience
meritocracy
based on intellectual talent and achievement; a means for a person to advance the social ladder
poverty levels
structural: poverty due to “holes” in the structure of society, not on the individuals actions
absolute: a socioeconomic condition in which people don’t have enough money or resources
relative: one is poor in comparison to the larger population in which they live
