Study Guide #2 Flashcards
(286 cards)
1
Q
acculturation
A
the transmission of culture from one generation to the next
2
Q
acting crowd
A
a crowd where the members are actively and enthusiastically involved in doing something that is directly related to their goal
3
Q
enculturation
A
the process of learning and adapting to the culture one is born into
4
Q
agent provocateur
A
a person who is employed by the government or the police to encourage certain groups of people to break the law, so they can arrest them or make them lose public support
5
Q
assimilation
A
the process by which a minority integrates socially, culturally, and/or politically into a larger, dominant culture and society
6
Q
authority
A
power that people accept as rightly exercised over them
7
Q
charismatic authority
A
authority based on an individual’s outstanding traits, which attracts followers
8
Q
rational-legal authority
A
authority based on law or written rules and regulations
9
Q
traditional authority
A
authority based on custom
10
Q
biological theory of deviance
A
an individual deviates from social norms largely because of their biological makeup
11
Q
psychological theory of deviance
A
use a deviant’s psychology to explain his motivation and compulsion to violate social norms
12
Q
sociological theory of deviance
A
those that use social context and social pressures to explain deviance
13
Q
biology vs. culture
A
explores whether human behaviour and societal structures are primarily shaped by biological factors (nature) or cultural influences (nurture)
14
Q
capitalism
A
an economic system characterized by the private ownership of the means of production, the pursuit of profit, and market competition
15
Q
citizenship
A
the concept that birth (and residence) in a country imparts basic rights
16
Q
coercion
A
power that people do not accept as rightly exercised over them
17
Q
collective behaviour
A
any group behavior that is not mandated or regulated by an institution
18
Q
confederal union
A
political alliance of sovereign states that voluntarily join together for common purposes.
19
Q
conflict theory
A
society is a dynamic interplay of competition for scarce resources and power, leading to social change and inequality
20
Q
conformity
A
the process whereby people change their beliefs, attitudes, actions, or perceptions to more closely match those held by groups to which they belong or want to belong or by groups whose approval they desire
21
Q
conspicuous consumption
A
the practice of acquiring and displaying goods and services primarily to demonstrate wealth and social status, rather than for their practical utility
22
Q
corporate crime
A
crimes committed by companies rather than individuals
23
Q
credential societies
A
the use of diplomas and degrees to determine who is eligible for jobs, even though the diploma or degree may be irrelevant to the actual work
24
Q
crime
A
actions that violate established social norms and cause harm, considered wrong by society and punishable by law
25
cult
anew or different religion, with few followers, whose teachings and
practices put it at odds with the dominant culture and religion
26
cultural bias
the interpretation of situations, actions, or data based on the standards of one's own culture
27
cultural lag
material culture (technology, tangible objects) changes more rapidly than non-material culture (values, beliefs, norms, ideas)
28
cultural transmission (education)
in reference to education, the ways schools transmit a society’s culture, especially its core values
29
degradation ceremonies
the process of transforming one's total identity to an identity that is lower in status and ejecting the individual from the group
30
direct democracy
a form of democracy in which eligible voters meet together to discuss issues and make their decisions
31
democracy
a system of government in which authority derives from the people
32
representative democracy
a form of democracy in which voters elect representatives to govern and make decisions on their behalf
33
democratic socialism
a hybrid economic system in which capitalism is mixed with state ownership
34
demonstrations
often involving a public gathering or march, where people express their opinions or make a demand, typically with the goal of influencing public opinion or government
35
denomination
a “brand name” within a major religion, for example, Methodist or Baptist
36
dictatorship
a form of government in which power is seized by an individual
37
differential association
criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others, particularly in intimate groups
38
discrimination
an act of unfair treatment directed against an individual or a group
39
division of labour
dividing work into a series of tasks assigned to different people or groups
40
double day
the workload of people who work to earn money, but who are also responsible for significant amounts of unpaid domestic labor
41
dual/split labour market
workers split along racial, ethnic, gender, age, or any other lines; this split is exploited by owners to weaken the bargaining power of workers
42
ecclesia
a religious group so integrated into the dominant culture that it is difficult to tell where one begins and the
other leaves off; also referred to as state religion
43
economy
a system of distribution of goods and services
44
education
a formal system of teaching knowledge, values, and skills
45
ego-involved participant
the extent to which an individual's self-concept is linked to their position on a specific issue or activity
46
emergent norms
crowd behavior is guided by unique social norms, which are determined by people within the crowd
47
ethnicity
having distinctive cultural characteristics
48
evangelism
an attempt to win converts
49
liberal feminism
focus on achieving gender equality through political and legal reform within the framework of liberal democracy
50
socialist feminism
concerned with the intersections of race, class, and gender; argue that patriarchal relations, including those in education, must be dismantled in order to establish a just society
51
radical feminism
interested in giving women a “voice” in knowledge production and all levels of education
52
functionalist perspectives
views society as a complex system where different parts (like institutions, norms, and values) work together to maintain stability and solidarity
53
fundamentalism
the belief that true religion is threatened by modernism and that the faith as it was originally practised should be restored
54
gatekeeping
the process by which education opens and closes doors of
opportunity; another term for the social placement function of education
55
gender inequality
males’ and females’ unequal access to resources, power, prestige, status, and property on the basis of their sex
56
gender pay gap
the average difference in earnings between men and women
57
glass ceiling/escalator
barriers to social advancement that many women face in some organizations
58
global war on terrorism
the US-led military campaign launched after the 9/11 attacks, aiming to combat international terrorist organizations and address what contributes to terrorism
59
herd mentality
the tendency of individuals to adopt the beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes of the majority in a group, even if they differ from their own personal beliefs
60
hidden curriculum
the unwritten rules of behaviour and attitudes that are taught in schools in addition to the formal curriculum
61
ideological commitment
a strong and often steady belief in a particular set of ideas, values, or a worldview
62
institutionalized religion
highly structured organization to aid believers in their efforts to live with faith
63
internal colonialism
the policy of economically exploiting minority groups
64
invention discovery diffusion
invention refers to creating something new, discovery involves finding something that already exists, and diffusion describes the spread of a new idea or object from one culture to another
65
job/pink ghettoes
employment areas dominated
by women (and usually lower paid than areas dominated by men)
66
labelling theory
indicates that society's assigning of labels to individuals or certain groups can have an effect on their behavior
67
laissez-faire capitalism
unrestrained manufacture and trade
68
legitimation
getting people to psychologically commit themselves to the society they live in, to believe that it is morally sound and superior to other possible modes of organization
69
repression
occurs when legitimation fails. Frequently involves the means of coercion including the police, army and courts to protect the state and the capitalist system from serious challenges
70
accumulation
what the state does to assist the capitalist class in its accumulation of capital
71
macro politics
the exercise of large-scale power, the government being the most common example
72
micro politics
refers to the exercise of power in everyday life
73
manifest functions of education
the intended and openly stated purposes of education, such as providing knowledge, skills, and preparing students for future careers
74
latent functions of education
the unintended and often unrecognized consequences or outcomes of the educational system. learning social norms, creating social networks
75
market
any process of buying and selling; on a more formal level, the mechanism that establishes values for the exchange of goods and services
76
market force
the law of supply and demand
77
law of supply and demand
Supply rises while demand declines as the price increases. Supply constricts while demand grows as the price drops
78
mass society theory
describes modern society as a large and characterized by a decline of traditional institutions and a rise of mass culture and communication
79
Mechanical Solidarity
People cooperate because they are alike
80
Organic Solidarity
People must cooperate because they are specialized and no longer self-sufficient
81
minimax strategy
prioritizes minimizing potential losses or maximizing minimum gains in situations involving uncertainty
82
minority group
a group discriminated against on the basis of its members’ physical or cultural characteristics
83
dominant group
the group with the most power, greatest privileges, and highest social status
84
modernization
the transformation of traditional societies into industrial societies
85
moral community
people united by their religious practices
86
moral panic
a widespread fear that an evil person, group, or entity threatens a community or society
87
multiculturalism/pluralism
a philosophy or political policy that encourages ethnic variation
88
neoliberalism
a version of the capitalist economic system based on the
realization of a 24-hour global economy, made possible by the rapid
expansion of global information and telecommunications technologies
89
panic
sudden, intense fear or anxiety that spreads rapidly within a group, often leading to irrational and uncontrolled behavior
90
patriarchy
a society in which men dominate women
91
pluralism
people of different social classes, religions, races, etc., are together in a society but continue to have their different traditions and interests
92
police discretion
the freedom of police officers to make decisions as they perform their official duties
93
political socialization
the way in which young people are inculcated with beliefs, ideas, and values that embrace the civil order through the education system
94
positive sanction
rewards given for conforming to norms
95
negative sanction
a penalty or punishment imposed on an individual or group for violating a social norm or law
96
postmodern society
a time of progressivism in society that challenges what is known as the modern era
97
power
the ability to carry out one’s will, even over the resistance of others
98
power elite
those who rule a country: the top
people in the leading corporations who make the nation’s major decisions
99
pre-contractual solidarity
the collective sense of belonging to a community and obligation to the welfare of the community
100
prejudice
an attitude of prejudging, usually in a negative way
101
primary sector
that part of the economy that extracts raw materials from the environment
102
secondary sector
that part of the economy that turns raw materials into manufactured goods
103
tertiary sector
that part of the economy that consists of service-oriented occupations
104
primary social deviance
someone violates a social norm or law, but the act is not perceived as deviant or is perceived as a minor issue that doesn't significantly change their social standing
105
secondary social deviance
the individual is labeled as deviant by society or significant others, and they internalize that label and begin to act in ways that are consistent with the label
106
tertiary social deviance
individuals who have been labeled deviant trying to challenge or redefine that label
107
proactive social movements
promote social change because a current condition of society is intolerable
108
proportional representation
an electoral system in which seats in a legislature are divided according to the proportion of votes each political party receives
109
protestant ethic
Weber’s term to describe the ideal of a self-denying, highly moral life, accompanied by hard work and frugality
110
spirit of capitalism
Weber's term for the desire to accumulate capital as a duty and to constantly reinvest it
111
routinization of charisma
the transition of authority from charismatic leadership to rational-legal authority
112
race
inherited physical characteristics that distinguish one group from
another
113
racism
prejudice and discrimination on the basis of race
114
reactive social movements
one that actively resists or seeks to undo social changes
115
relative autonomy
the state acts on behalf of the capitalist class but not on its direct orders
116
religion
beliefs and practices that separate the profane from the sacred and unite its adherents into a moral community
117
reserve labour force
capitalists take workers “out of reserve” (put them back to work) during times of high production and then lay them off (put them back in reserve) when they are no longer needed
118
resource mobilization
advocates having the right type of resource at the right time at the right price by making the right use of acquired resources thus ensuring optimum usage
119
revolution
armed resistance designed to overthrow a government
120
role extension
the process by which an individual's roles expand or change beyond their initial expectations or responsibilities
121
ritual
ceremonies or repetitive practices; in this context, religious observances or rites, often intended to evoke awe for the sacred
122
profane
common elements of everyday life
123
sacred
things set apart or forbidden that inspire fear, awe, reverence, or deep respect
124
scapegoat
an individual or group unfairly blamed for someone else’s troubles
125
sect
a group larger than a cult that still feels substantial hostility from
and toward society
126
segregation
the policy of keeping racial or ethnic groups apart
127
selective perception
seeing certain features of an object or situation, but remaining blind to others
128
self-fulfilling prophecy
originally false assertion that becomes true simply because it was predicted
129
self-labelling
individuals choose and apply labels to themselves to define their identity, values, and behaviors
130
sex typing of work
the societal association of certain jobs, occupations, or fields of study as inherently "masculine" or "feminine," often leading to gender segregation in the workplace
131
prestige
respect or regard
132
sex
the biological characteristics that distinguish males and females
133
gender
the biological characteristics that distinguish males and females
134
sexual harassment
the abuse of one’s position of authority to force unwanted sexual demands on someone
135
social change
the transformation of cultures, behaviors, social institutions, and social structures over time
136
social construction of reality
the way we present ourselves to other people is shaped partly by our interactions with others, as well as by our life experiences
137
social control
the regulations, sanctions, mechanisms, and systems that restrict the behaviour of individuals in accordance with social norms and orders
138
social integration
the degree to which people are tied to their social group
139
social movements
an organized effort to change laws, policies, or practices by people who do not have the power to effect change through conventional channels
140
social norms
the informal, unwritten rules that define acceptable and appropriate behavior within a group or community
141
social placement
a function of education that funnels people into a society’s various positions
142
socialism
an economic system characterized by the public ownership of the means of production, central planning, and the distribution of goods without a profit motive
143
state
a political entity that claims monopoly on the use of violence in
some particular territory; commonly known as a country
144
status of women in China
complex and multifaceted issue, shaped by historical, cultural, and political factors
145
stereotypes
belief about a group of people based on inaccurate assumptions about their characteristics or behaviours
146
stigma
an attribute, behavior, or reputation which is socially discrediting in a particular way
147
strain theory
proposes that individuals, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, may turn to criminal or deviant behavior as a way to cope with the pressure of achieving socially valued goals
148
subsistence economy
a type of economy in which human groups live off the land with little or no surplus
149
technology and society
the study of the interplay and mutual influence between technological advancements and societal structures, behaviors, and values
150
theories of social change
attempt to explain how and why societies and their structures transform over time
151
totalitarianism
a form of government that exerts almost total control over the people
152
tracking
the sorting of students into different educational programs on the basis of real or perceived abilities
153
underemployment
the condition of having to work at a job beneath one’s level of training and abilities, or only part-time work
154
underground economy
exchanges of goods and services that are not reported to the government and thereby escape taxation
155
unemployment
when an individual who is not employed and is seeking employment, cannot find work
156
unitary state
a form of government in which all power resides with the central government
157
values
the standards by which people define what is desirable or undesirable
158
welfare (state) capitalism
an economic system in which individuals own the means of production, but the state regulates many economic activities for the welfare of the population
159
white-collar crime
financially motivated, non-violent crimes committed by individuals and organizations in professional or business settings
160
women's movement first wave
primarily focused on securing women's legal rights, particularly the right to vote
161
women's movement second wave
movement focused on critiquing patriarchal or male-dominated institutions and cultural practices throughout society
162
absolute monarchs
system of government where a single ruler has total power over a state and its people
163
agents of socialization
people or groups that affect our self-concept, attitudes, or other orientations toward life
164
Anomie
An absence of shared norms and values, disconnectedness, people unsure of guiding rules
165
anticipatory socialization
learning part of a future role because one anticipates it
166
applied sociology
the use of sociology to solve problems—from the micro-level of family relationships to the macro-level of crime and pollution
167
authority
power that people accept as rightly exercised over them
168
beliefs
convictions that people hold to be true about the world, society, and life
169
biological determinism
the belief that the way we act reflects built-in biological traits
170
Bourgeoisie
Capitalists; those who own the means of production
171
merchant capitalism
bringing items to places that don't have these items so they can control prices
172
industrial capitalism
large-scale industrial production and the dominance of industrialists and factory owners
173
monopoly capitalism
create giant companies with thousand's of employee's that changed power in society
174
global capitalism
concept of a global economy dominated by globalizing corporations and those who own and control them
175
capitalist world economy
global economic system where the production and distribution of goods are driven by private ownership of the means of production
176
caste system
a form of social stratification in which one’s status is determined by birth and is lifelong
177
centre/core
the dominant group or area that controls resources, power, and influence
178
semi-periphery
countries that are neither core nor peripheral. Have characteristics of both
179
periphery
a less developed region that is dependent on a more developed core region
180
clan
an extended network of relatives
181
class in itself
a social group whose members share the same relationship to the means of production
182
class for itself
members have full awareness of the true situation, by a realization of the nature of exploitation
183
classes
economic groups (Marx's term)
184
status
distribution of social honour or prestige deriving not just from wealth but from lifestyle
185
party
the organizational means to exercise power (make laws)
186
Class conflict
The struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat
187
class/false consciousness
refer to workers identifying with the interests of capitalists
188
class structure
the hierarchical arrangement of individuals in a society based on wealth, income, occupation, education, and social status
189
clique
a cluster of people within a larger group who choose to interact with one another
190
colonization
practice of one group of people/nation dominating another group over a sustained period of time
191
contradictory class location
a position in the class structure that generates contradictory interests
192
counterculture
a group whose values, beliefs, and related behaviours
place its members in opposition to the broader culture
193
cultural capital
the non-economic social assets an individual possesses, like knowledge, skills, behaviors, and tastes
194
cultural diffusion
the spread of cultural characteristics from one group to another
195
cultural leveling
the process by which cultures become similar to one another, and especially by which Western industrial culture is imported and diffused into developing nations
196
cultural relativism
understanding a different culture on its own terms
197
maquiladoras
factories in Mexico that assemble imported parts into products for export
198
culture
the language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviours, and even
material objects passed from one generation to the next
199
cultural universal
a value, norm, or other cultural trait that is found in every group
200
culture of poverty
assumption that the values and behaviours of the poor make them fundamentally different from other people,
that these factors are largely responsible for their poverty,
and their parents pass their "poor" traits down generations
201
keynesian economics
theory of total spending in the economy has its effects on output, employment, and inflation
202
dependency theory
explains how poor countries depend on rich countries
203
debt crisis
situation when a government, organization, or individual is unable to pay their debts
204
divine right of kings
monarch's authority to rule comes directly from God, meaning they are not accountable to their people but only God
205
endogamy
the practice of marrying within one’s own group
206
ethnocentrism
the use of one’s own culture for judging the ways of other individuals or societies, generally leading to a
negative evaluation of their values, norms, and behaviours
207
export processing zones
tax-free “factory cities” where young Asian women are often lured by the promise of good jobs manufacturing
products for export
208
folkways
norms that are not strictly enforced
209
functional analysis
a theoretical framework in which society is viewed as composed of various parts, each with a function that, when fulfilled, contributes to society’s equilibrium
210
play stage
a developmental phase in childhood, according to Mead's theory, where children begin to learn about social roles by imitating and acting out the behaviors of significant others, like parents or teachers
211
game stage
the final stage in Mead's theory of self-development, where children learn to understand and follow rules, take on multiple social roles, and develop an awareness of the "generalized other" by participating in organized games with other players
212
gender roles
the behaviours and attitudes considered appropriate because
one is a female or a male
213
socialization
the process which societies culture is absorbed
214
generalized other
the norms, values, attitudes, and expectations of “people in general”
215
globalization
the extensive movement of capital and ideas between nations due to the expansion of capitalism
216
habitus
embracing a set of skills and way of looking at the world that reflects hierarchical social structures
217
human agency
the ability to individually or collectively resist social pressures and provide for social change
218
ideology
beliefs about the way things need to be that justify social arrangements
219
immigration
people moving to a new country to settle permanently or take up work
220
imperialism
when countries take over other countries so they can expand their markets and gain access to cheap raw materials
221
in-group
groups toward which one feels loyalty
222
out-group
groups toward which one feels antagonism
223
wealth
property and income
224
indentured service
people whose passage to another country was paid for in exchange for labour
225
International Monetary Fund
organization that's influenced by the ideas and interests of the environment it operates in
226
intersectionality
the interrelationships among various inequalities
227
language
a system of symbols that can be combined in an infinite
number of ways and can represent not only objects but also abstract thought
228
mass media
forms of communication, such as radio, newspapers, and television, directed to mass audiences
229
material culture
the material objects that distinguish a group of people. Physical products of society
230
means of production
the tools, factories, land, and investment capital used to produce wealth
231
meritocracy
a form of social stratification in which all positions are awarded on the basis of merit
232
middle range theories
explanations of human behaviour that go beyond a particular observation or research but avoid sweeping generalizations that attempt to account for everything
233
modernization theory
explains how nations transition from traditional to modern societies
234
mores
norms that are strictly enforced because they are thought to be
essential to core values
235
multinational corporations
a large company that operates and conducts business activities in multiple countries
236
neocolonialism
the shift after World War II where the most industrialized nations turned to international markets as a way of controlling the least industrialized nations
237
neoliberalism
a version of the capitalist economic system based on the realization of a 24-hour global economy,
made possible by the rapid expansion of global information and telecommunications technologies
238
non-material culture
a group’s ways of thinking and doing (its common patterns of behaviour, including language and other forms of interaction)
239
norms
the expectations or rules of behaviour that develop out of values
240
origins of sociology
sociology emerged in the 19th century in response to social and political upheaval
241
peer group
a group of individuals roughly the same age linked by common interests
242
power
the ability to carry out one’s will, even over the resistance of others
243
prestige
respect or regard
244
primary groups
a group characterized by intimate, long-term, face-to-face association and co-operation
245
secondary groups
large group of people who share a purpose and work toward a common interest or goal
246
Proletariat
workers; must sell their labor power to survive
247
protestant ethic
Weber’s term to describe the self-denying, highly moral ideal life, accompanied by hard work and frugality
248
pure or basic sociology
sociological research whose only purpose is to make discoveries about life in human groups, not to make changes in those groups
249
reference group
the groups we use as standards to evaluate ourselves
250
resocialization
the process of learning new norms, values, attitudes, and behaviours
251
sanctions
expressions of approval or disapproval given to people for
upholding or violating norms
252
sapir-whorf hypothesis
language creates ways of thinking and perceiving
253
scientific method
the use of objective, systematic observations to test theories
254
significant other
an individual who significantly influences someone else’s life
255
self
the unique human capacity of being able to see ourselves “from the outside” - similar to looking glass-self
256
social class
a large number of people with similar amounts of income and education who work at jobs roughly comparable in prestige
257
social integration
the degree to which people are tied to their social group
258
social location
the group memberships that people have because of their location in history and society
259
social mobility
permits movement up or down the class ladder based on achievement (restricted by differential inheritance)
260
intergenerational mobility
adult children ending up on a different rung of the social class ladder than their parents
261
structural mobility
changes in society that cause large numbers of people to move up or down
262
exchange mobility
when large numbers of people move up or down the social class ladder but the proportions stay the same
263
social stratification
society is organized into hierarchical layers or groups based on factors like wealth, income, race, education, and power
264
society
group of people who
share a culture and a territory
265
sociological imagination
Way of looking at the world that links the apparently private troubles of the individual to important social issues
266
sociological perspective
an approach to understanding human behaviour that by placing it within its broader social context
267
status consistency
ranking high or low on all three dimensions of social class
268
status inconsistency
ranking high on some dimensions of social class and low on others
269
spirit of capitalism
Weber's term for the desire to accumulate capital as a duty and to constantly reinvest it
270
structural adjustment
a critical process in the developing world that involves economic and political changes imposed by international organizations to address issues of poverty and governance
271
subculture
the values and related behaviours of a group that distinguish its members from the larger culture
272
subjective meanings
the meanings that people give their own behaviour
273
Symbolic Interaction
View symbols as the basis of social life and focuses on face-to-face interactions
274
symbols
something to which people attach meanings and then use to
communicate with others
275
taboo
a norm so strong that it brings revulsion (disgust) if violated
276
taking the role of the other
understanding how someone else feels and thinks and thus anticipating
how that person will act
277
Theory
General statement about how some parts of the world fit together and how they work
278
total institution
a place in which people are cut off from the rest of society and are almost totally controlled by the officials who run the
place
279
United Nations
intergovernmental organization that works to promote international cooperation and peace, and address global challenges
280
security council
concept of social control to maintain order
281
values
the standards by which people define what is desirable or undesirable
282
value-free
an ideal condition in which a sociologist’s personal values or
biases do not influence social research
283
Verstehen
Weber suggested that instead, we should focus on subjective meanings, the ways in which people interpret their own behaviour
284
world bank
international financial institution that affects global stratification, wealth, and poverty
285
world system theory
approach to world history and social change that suggests there is a world economic system in which some countries benefit while others are exploited
286
World Trade Organization
international organization that establishes and enforces rules for trade between countries
