Introduction to Sociology Concepts

Frameworks of theories and concepts that help understand social topics.

A paradigm viewing society as a system with different parts working together.

The framework of society, like family, education, or government.

A paradigm where society is seen as groups competing over resources.

Systematic ways to gather and analyze observations in social science.

A statement about a possible relationship between two variables.

A broad, large-scale view of society.

A close-up view of individual interactions in society.

To precisely define and measure a variable in a research study.

The factor that is changed or manipulated in an experiment to observe its effect on another variable.

The factor that is measured or observed to see how it's affected by the independent variable.

The idea that changes in society are primarily driven by material conditions and economic structures.

Just because two things happen together doesn't mean one causes the other.

External, coercive societal norms and systems that influence individual behavior.

The working class who sell their labor for wages.

The internal conflict African Americans experience, viewing themselves through a prejudiced society's perspective.

Society is structured by racial tensions. Unequal access to resources and power is a key driver of this.

Understanding your role and position in society.

Focuses on how societal structures perpetuate gender inequality by challenging traditional functionalist views.

Women were largely excluded from academic roles until the 20th century.

A sociologist who made sociology accessible through books (like Illustrations on Political Economy) and did sampling & cross-cultural studies. Her work gained feminist attention later.

Focused on women's suffrage and rights.

Shift from traditional ideas to rational methods (like calculability, methodical behavior).

Culture shapes actions and societal structures through norms, values, and language.

A group of people sharing a culture and a territory.

Societies' development driven by new technologies and changes in social organization.

Small, nomadic groups focused on survival with low inequality.

Societies with advanced farming, larger populations, and greater inequality.

Societies using machine power for production, leading to urbanization and changing family roles.

Societies shifting to information/services, technology, and finance.

Marx: economic change leads to revolution; Weber: ideas and rationalization drive change; Durkheim: social change involves shifting bonds between individuals.

Behavior that goes against societal norms, like breaking the law or being vegan. It's defined by social judgment, not just statistics.

Rules that guide behavior in society. Informal norms (folkways) are unwritten and have mild consequences, while formal norms (laws) are codified and have serious repercussions.

The ways society regulates behavior using sanctions, like praise or punishment, to encourage conformity to norms.

Groups created for specific purposes, like schools, businesses, or charitable organizations, that strive for efficiency and goal achievement.

Formal organizations that provide material rewards or benefits, like businesses, schools, or hospitals.

Formal organizations driven by shared moral goals, like charities or advocacy groups, where membership is based on shared values.

Formal organizations where membership is involuntary, like prisons or mental hospitals, often with a focus on control.

Characteristics of formal organizations like specialization, hierarchy, formal communication, competence-based hiring, impersonality, and rules-based operation.

The period before marriage where individuals get to know each other.

A strong emotional attachment and attraction valued in some cultures, but not essential for all marriages. It's often part of how couples decide to get married.

A blend of social, economic, and cultural factors important for relationship success. Beyond affection, these factors help relationships thrive.

The closer people are geographically, the more likely they are to connect and form relationships.

Fewer people are getting married, and those who do are often getting married later in life. This is a trend seen globally in many societies.

This type of divorce requires no proof of wrongdoing. It simplified divorce procedures, making it easier to end marriages.

This perspective sees religion as a system of symbols, rituals, and sacred objects that express faith and identity.

This view sees religion as performing critical functions for society, fostering social cohesion, control, and providing meaning.