Introduction to Anthropology, Sociology, and Psychology

The study of human origins, biological characteristics, cultural development, social relationships, and other aspects using scientific methods.

The branch of Anthropology that focuses on learned human behaviors, beliefs, attitudes, values, and ideals within a society.

The process of learning and internalizing the shared ideas, values, and beliefs of a culture.

The study of how human societies develop, function, and change, including human institutions and their workings.

The scientific study of the human mind and behavior.

A branch of Psychology that conducts experiments to understand human behavior and the reasons behind it.

A branch of Psychology focused on developing programs to help individuals with mental illness and behavioral disorders.

Knowledge based on verified evidence gathered through research or experiments.

Thinking based on personal experience and feelings, rather than objective evidence.

A theory that suggests crime occurs when social bonds are weakened, leading individuals to engage in criminal behavior.

A cognitive bias is a systematic error in thinking that can lead to inaccurate judgments and decisions. It arises due to mental shortcuts, limited cognitive capacity, emotional influences, and memory distortions.

The independent variable is the factor that is manipulated or changed by the researcher in an experiment. It's the 'cause' that is being investigated.

The dependent variable is the factor that is being measured or observed in an experiment. It's the 'effect' that is being studied.

Confounding variables are factors that can influence the dependent variable besides the independent variable, making it difficult to determine the true cause-and-effect relationship.

Functionalism views culture as a system of interconnected parts, where each institution contributes to the overall stability and functioning of society.

Cultural materialism emphasizes the role of material factors like technology, economics, and population in shaping culture and social organization.

Digital media refers to all forms of electronic media, including the internet, social media, smartphones, and digital video, it has a significant influence on how we live, learn, and interact.

The idea that we create and use tools, and in turn, these tools shape our experiences and behaviors.

The spread of cultural ideas, customs, or practices from one group to another.

The study of how human societies develop, function, and change, including human institutions and their workings.

A school of thought that emphasizes conflict, power struggles, and inequality as key drivers of social change.

A theory that stresses the importance of social interaction, meaning-making, and shared symbols in shaping individuals' understanding of the world.

A theory suggesting that people learn deviant behavior through interactions with others who engage in deviance, particularly close relationships like friends or family.

A theory explaining how individuals rationalize deviant behavior by justifying their actions and neutralizing their sense of guilt.

The feeling of discomfort and tension experienced when someone's beliefs or actions are inconsistent with their values.

The process of learning the norms, values, and beliefs of a culture, often through observation and imitation.

The idea that technology shapes and influences social structures and human behavior.

A state of social instability or disorganization where traditional norms and values are weakened, leading to a sense of confusion and alienation.

The process of cultural ideas, practices, and beliefs spreading from one group to another.

The process of transmitting cultural knowledge and practices from one generation to the next.

A psychological theory that emphasizes the role of learning through rewards and punishments in shaping behavior.

The tendency to judge other cultures based on the values and norms of one's own culture, often resulting in biased perceptions.

A research method used by anthropologists to study a culture by immersing themselves in it as active participants.

The tendency for people to overestimate their own knowledge of others compared to others' knowledge of them or themselves.

The tendency to favour information that confirms pre-existing beliefs, even if it's inaccurate.

A type of memory error where individuals recall events incorrectly or even fabricate memories that never actually happened.

The tendency to favor and have positive views towards people within one's own group compared to those outside the group.

The tendency to form an overall impression of a person based on a single positive or negative trait, often influencing how we perceive them.

The process of selectively focusing on certain information while ignoring other viewpoints.

A study of social phenomena on a large scale, focusing on broad societal structures and patterns.

A study of social phenomena on a small scale, focusing on individual interactions and small group dynamics.

A term used to describe someone who blames the victim of a crime or wrongdoing, suggesting that their actions or behavior contributed to their victimization.

This involves shifting the blame for a problem onto others, typically by pointing fingers at society or external factors.

An organized and systematic approach to gaining knowledge and understanding through observation, experimentation, and analysis. It involves a series of steps to test an idea and draw conclusions.

This stage is characterized by a high stationary population, meaning that birth rates and death rates are both high and relatively balanced. The overall population remains stable as the number of births almost matches the number of deaths.

Death rates decline in this stage, mainly due to improved healthcare, sanitation, and living conditions, while birth rates remain high. This leads to population growth, a significant increase in the population over time.

This stage sees a continued decline in death rates, alongside a significant drop in birth rates. Contraception and a shift towards smaller families contribute to the declining birth rates. The rate of population growth slows down.

This stage is characterized by both low birth rates and low death rates, leading to a stable population or even a slightly decreasing population. Improved healthcare, long life expectancy, and access to contraception contribute to these trends.

A theory that examines the factors that contribute to changes in the structure of society. It states that change must be initiated within society and that the belief in the importance and justification of the change must be widespread.

A social phenomenon where traditional cultural values, beliefs, and practices are firmly entrenched and resistant to change, often inhibiting or hindering progress or innovation.

This is a significant impediment to social change, reducing exposure to new ideas and practices from other cultures, limiting the flow of information and outside influences.

The cost and resources needed to implement social change, including financial investments, infrastructure upgrades, and establishment of new institutions and systems.

This describes a situation where a lack of education, innovation, and exposure to new technologies limits the capacity for change, perpetuating existing patterns and thinking within a society.

This impediment arises when power structures and hierarchies are abused, leading to exploitation, oppression, and the suppression of change. Leaders may use their positions to maintain the status quo and resist social progress.

The way in which a society organizes itself into smaller groups, including families, communities, and social classes, forming a hierarchical structure and influencing interaction patterns.

The core element of culture, encompassing both formal and informal forms of communication. Language enables the transmission of knowledge, values, and beliefs, shaping the shared understanding and interpretation of reality within a culture.

The established rules, traditions, and social norms that guide behavior within a society. They encompass both explicit laws and unspoken expectations, setting boundaries and influencing social interactions.

The way in which a culture expresses itself through artistic creations such as visual arts, music, literature, dance, and theater. These expressions often reflect the values, beliefs, and experiences of a culture.

The overarching set of beliefs and practices that provide meaning, guidance, and purpose for individuals within a society. It often shapes moral codes, rituals, and a sense of community.

The system by which a society is governed, encompassing the distribution of power, decision-making processes, and the roles of citizens. Common forms include monarchy, democracy, republic, and dictatorship.

The methods, structures, and regulations used to generate income, produce goods and services, and distribute wealth within a society. This encompasses everything from individual employment to large corporations.

A sociological theory developed by Robert Merton to understand the causes and consequences of crime and deviance. It suggests that crime arises when individuals experience a gap between their aspirations for financial success and their legitimate means of achieving it.

A sociological concept that categorizes individuals into groups based on their acceptance or rejection of cultural goals and societal means.

Individuals who embrace both the cultural goals of society and the accepted means of achieving them. They strive for success using legal and established methods.

Individuals who accept the cultural goals of society but rely on illegal or unconventional means to achieve them. This is often seen in criminal activities and the pursuit of wealth through unconventional methods.

Individuals who abandon the cultural goals of society but continue to follow established rules and processes. They may focus on maintaining order and security while not pursuing traditional ambitions.

Individuals who reject both the cultural goals and the accepted means of achieving them. They may withdraw from society or create alternative systems and values to live by.