Sociology

• Structural functionalism is the paradigm that studies the way that each part of society functions together to contribute to the functioning of the whole.
• Evolutionary: human societies evolve toward increased differentiation (when institutions become increasingly specialized in the functions they perform).
• Social integration: social change is an adaptive response to tension within a social system.
• Division of labor: works to maximize resources and efficiency.
• Society like an organism: described by Durkheim - each organism plays a role in keeping the whole society alive.
• Functional analysis: society is a complex organism and is made up of several parts/functions.
• Manifest function: the intended social functions of a social institution. These are the functions an institution is designed to serve.
• Latent function: the unintended social functions of a social institution that are good and useful, however are not the reason the institution exists.
• Conflict theory: the way inequalities contribute to social, political, and power differences and how they perpetuate power. There is also pressure to keep wages both high and low in this paradigm.
• Symbolic interactionism is the paradigm that studies the way one-on-one interactions and communications behave.
• The term ‘micro’ is about individuals in small groups and the social processes they undergo.
• The dramaturgical model was proposed by Erving Goffman, who believed that interactions are scripted, and all individuals are actors in a play. He also stated that as the situation unfolds, we have to improvise our roles.
• Tact is the ability to navigate social situations with sensitivity, awareness, and consideration for others’ perspectives and feelings.
• Culture is a group’s shared beliefs, values, and practices.
• Material artifacts are physical objects or tangible items that are created, used, and circulated within a society.
• Nonmaterial artifacts are intangible aspects of culture that exist within a society.
• Values are a culture’s standard for discerning what is good and just in society.
• Norms are the visible and invisible rules of conduct through which societies are structured.
• Folkways are the direct, appropriate behaviors in day-to-day practices and expressions of a culture.
• Mores are moral views and principles of a group.
• Taboos are strong social norms against certain behaviors, actions, etc. that are unacceptable within a society.
• Ascribed status is the status that is outside an individual’s control (e.g. sex or race).
• Achieved status is the status a person chooses (e.g. level of education or income)
• Roles are patterns of behavior that are representative of a person’s social status.
• Socialization is the process wherein people come to understand societal norms and expectations, to accept society’s beliefs, and to be aware of societal values.
• Primary socialization is when individuals learn the basic norms, values, language, and social skills necessary for functioning in society.
• Secondary socialization is when people learn the norms, values, etc. associated with social contexts and institutions beyond the family.
• Resocialization is when people undergo changes in their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors as they transition into new social roles and/or environments.
• Anticipatory socialization is when people learn and internalize the norms, values, behaviors, and expectations associated with a future role or status that they anticipate preoccupying.
• Stratification is the hierarchical arrangement of people of groups based on wealth, income, education, etc.
• Social class is a group who shares a common social status based on factors like wealth, income, education, and occupation.
• Social structure is a distinctive, stable arrangement of institutions whereby humans in a society interact and live together.
• Wealth, power, and prestige = critical race theory
• Racial sorting is residential segregation by race
• Prejudice is biased thought based on flawed assumptions about a group of people
• Discrimination is prejudiced action against a group of people
• Gender is social or cultural distinctions of behaviors that are considered male or female
• Sexuality is the capacity for sexual feelings.
• Corporate concentration is the extent of domination of sales by one or more firms in a particular market
• Deindustrialization is the loss of industrial production, usually to peripheral and semi-peripheral nations where the cost is lower