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Sociology Exam: chapters 8, 10, 11, 13, 15

Terms in this set (112)

Conflict theory (orientation)
society is the result of constant struggle over resources
Functionalist theory (Orientation)
made up of interconnected parts that work together to maintain the order and stability of the whole society
Symbolic-interactionist theory (Orientation)
society is the result of the day-to-day interactions between individuals and groups
Feminist theory (Orientation)
inequality in gender is central to all behavior and organization
Social capital
refers to the collective benefit of social networks
Ascribed status
status assigned without regard for unique talents or characteristics
Achieved status
status that is the result of our own efforts
Stigma
the labels society use to devalue members of certain groups
Latent function
unconscious or unintended functions or informal functions that reflect hidden purposes of social institutions
Manifest function
open, stated, formal, conscious functions
Dysfunction
a process or element that disrupts social cohesiveness reducing stability
Socialization
Interaction between biological and environment (nature and nurture) shapes human development and influences socialization processes
Social construction of reality
Candidates with the most money and resources get more media representations shaping issues
Dominant ideology
set of cultural beliefs and practices that help maintain powerful social, economic, and political interests
Social roles
are the part people play as members of a social group; your behavior changes to fit the expectations both you and others have of that role
Sociological imagination
an awareness of the relationship between the individual & society as a whole
Social institutions
organized patterns of beliefs and behaviors centered on basic social needs such as preserving order and teaching norms and values of a particular culture
Social inequality
is the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards for different social positions or statuses within a group or society
Sociology
Scientific study of society and social interactions between individuals and groups
Stratification
the structured ranking of entire groups of people that perpetuates unequal economic rewards and power in a society
Open system
position of each individual is influenced by their achieved status
Closed system
allows little to no social mobility
Class system
social ranking based primarily on economic position in which achieved statuses can influence position within this system
Class
group of people who have a similar level of income and wealth
Class consciousness
a subjective awareness of common vested interests and the need for collective political and social action to bring about massive change or revolution
False consciousness
attitude held by many members of the working class that does not accurately reflect their objective position within the social structure
Social mobility
the movement of individuals or groups from one position in a society's stratification system to another
Social inequality
situation in which members of a society have different amounts of wealth, prestige, or power
Slavery
extreme form of legalized social inequality where enslaved individuals are owned by other people
Caste
are hereditary ranks that are fixed and immobile
Estate system
feudalism), peasants are required to work land of nobles in exchange for military protection and services controlled and provided by nobles
Bourgeoisie
capitalist class; owners of means of production (land, factories, technology)
Proletariat
the working class
Prestige
respect and admiration an occupation holds in society
Wealth
encompasses all a person's material assets minus any debt
Socioeconomic status (SES)
measure of social class based on education, income, & occupation
Affirmative action
positive efforts to purposely recruit minority group members and women for jobs, promotion, and educational opportunities
Amalgamation
when a majority and minority group combine to create a new group
Pluralism
based on mutual respect among various groups in a society for one another's cultures
Assimilation
process through which a person forsakes his or her cultural tradition to become part of a different culture
Apartheid
Republic of South Africa severely restricted the movement of Black on non-whites
Racial profiling
arbitrary actions initiated by figure of authority based on race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than on a person's behavior
Redlining
pattern of discrimination against people trying to buy homes in minority or racially changing neighborhoods
Racism
belief that one race is supreme and all other races are inferior
Color-blind racism
use of a principle of race neutrality to defend the racial status quo
Prejudice
a negative attitude toward an entire category of people, often and ethnic or racial minority group
Stereotype
unreliable and false generalizations about all members of a group that do not recognize individual differences within the group
Discrimination
the denial of opportunity and equal rights to individuals and groups because of prejudice or other arbitrary reasons (gender and sex discrimination)
White privilege
rights or immunities granted to people as a benefit of being White
Segregation
the physical separation of two groups of people in terms of residence, workplace, and social events
Racial formation
sociohistorical process in which racial categories are created, inhabited, transformed, and destroyed.
Minority group
a subordinate group whose members have significantly less control or power over their own lives than the members of the dominant or majority group
Racial group
groups that are distinguished from others because of physical differences that have social significance.
Ethnic group
groups that are distinguished from others based on national origin or distinctive cultural patterns
Ethnocentrism
the tendency to assume that one's own culture and way of life represent the norm or are superior to all others
Exploitation theory
(Marxist Class theory); Exploitation of the lower class is a basic part of a capitalist economic system
Contact hypothesis
interracial contact between people of equal status in cooperative circumstances will lead to them becoming less prejudice and abandoning old stereotypes
Black power
a political philosophy, promoted by many younger Blacks in the 1960's, that supported the creation of Black-controlled political and economic institutions
Institutional discrimination
the denial of opportunities and equal right to individuals and groups that results from normal operations of society
Gender identity
how people see themselves: as either man/woman; boy/girl
Gender role
cultural expectations regarding proper behavior, attitudes, and activities of males and females.
Glass ceiling
invisible barrier that blocks promotion and advancement of qualified individual based on gender, race, or ethnicity
Glass escalator
the advantage men have who enter women dominated occupations; men advance and are promoted quicker
Multiple masculinities
men play a variety of gender roles
Matrix of domination
: convergence of social forces that contribute to subordinate status of poor, non-White women
Cross-cultural perspective
Need to understand the alleged and real differences between men and women
Sexual identity
(sexual orientation)-self-awareness of being romantically or sexually attracted to a defined group of people
Transgender
current gender identity differs from biological identification
Transsexual
person takes hormones and has procedures to more closely physically match their gender identity
Transvestite
a person who dresses as the opposite sex (cross-dresses)
Expressive role
(women)-emotionally supportive role; concern for maintenance of harmony and emotional affairs of the family
Instrumental role
(men)-practical role; emphasis on tasks, focusing on more distant goals, and concern for external relationships between the family and other social institutions
Education
formalized and explicit learning where clear social roles exist in which some people act as teachers and others as learners
Religion
unified system of beliefs, practices, and rituals relative to sacred artifacts/things
Secularization
the diminishing influence of religion over other social institutions in a society
Functions of education
Manifest functions- open and stated; formal functions; Latent functions- hidden and informal functions
The hidden curriculum
standards of behavior deemed proper by society and taught or reinforced in schools through subtle tactics
Credentialism
an increase in the lowest level of education needed to enter a field
Correspondence principle
promotes values expected of individuals in each social class, perpetuating social class divisions
Tracking
practice of placing students in specific curriculum groups on basis of test scores and other criteria
Teacher-expectancy effect
(1968):the impact that a teacher's expectations about a student on their actual achievements
Bureaucratization of schools and education
Growing number of students from diverse backgrounds with varying degrees of talents and interests
Student subcultures
Collegiate- fun and socializing; little emphasis on academic pursuits; athletes; Academic- identifies with intellectual concerns of faculty; values knowledge; Vocational- focused on career prospects; college education essential for advancement; Noncomformist- hostile to college environment; seeks ideologies that may or may not relate to academic studies
Durkheim's definition and explanation of religion
Stressed the social impact of religion; A collective act that includes many rites and rituals influencing behaviors and how people interact with others
Profane sacred
includes ordinary and commonplace artifacts/items; elements beyond everyday life that inspire awe, respect, and even fear
Three Components of religion
Religious beliefs, Religious rituals, Religious experience
Ecclesiae
religious organization claiming to include most or all members of a society; recognized as national or official religion
Denominations
large, organized segment of a religion; not officially linked with state of government
Sects
like cults
New Religious Movement/Cults
small, secretive religious group that represents either a new religion or a major innovation of an existing faith
Weberian Thesis
The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Max Weber; Showed how the collective nature of religion has consequences for society as a whole
Protestant ethic
followers of the Protestant Reformation emphasized a disciplined work ethic, this-wordly concerns and a rational orientation for life
Liberation theory
use of the the church in political efforts to achieve social change; specifically eliminating poverty, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice
Brain drain
The immigration to the United States and other industrialized nations of skilled workers, professionals, and teachers who are desperately needed in their home countries
Epidemiology
Study of epidemics; During the 19th and 20th centuries focus shifted to include examining social & cultural variables related to infectious diseases
Social epidemiology
Area of epidemiology focusing on relationship between social and cultural factors and risk for disease, illness, and death
Rational choice theory
make decisions based on resources available
Economize(ing)
choose items like medicines that seem more "important" or "necessary" at the time
Medical model for mental illness
mental illness is rooted in biological causes that can be treated through routine medical intervention
Labeling theory for mental illness
labels and definitions are subjective
Medical care
Bio-medical; acute, reactive, rescue; prescriptive "Band-Aid" approach; relies on medical technology pharmacological and intervention
Health care
more holistic; proactive, integrated, cooperative team approach, patient-centered
Biomedical definition of health
: the absences of signs of or physiological malfunction
(sociological) definition of health
a process of physical, social, mental, and spiritual well-being that includes the ability to function
sick role
A social role similar to other social roles like mother, students, teacher, daughter, son, etc.
illness as deviant
Violation of normal role expectations and responsibilities
Medicalization
is increasing the number of people being diagnosed with mental health disorders and learning disabilities
morbidity rates
number of reported disease(s) per 100,000 people during a given time period/frame
mortality rates
the rate of death in a population
infant mortality
the number of infants under 1 year old per 1,000 live births per year
life expectancy
effects of income on health are cumulative
Pharmaceuticalization
extend medicine's power to define normal and abnormal
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