Overview of Sociology Concepts

Sociology is the study of society, social institutions, and social relationships.
It seeks to understand how human behavior is shaped by social structures and cultural norms.

Social Structures
- Patterns of relationships and social arrangements that influence individuals and groups.
- Examples include family, education systems, and economic institutions.
Culture
- Shared beliefs, values, norms, and practices of a group.
- Components include language, rituals, traditions, and material objects.
Socialization
- The process through which individuals learn and internalize the values and norms of their society.
- Agents of socialization include family, schools, peers, and media.
Social Groups
- Collections of individuals who interact and share a sense of belonging.
- Types include primary groups (close, personal relationships) and secondary groups (larger, more impersonal).
Social Stratification
- Hierarchical arrangement of individuals in society based on factors like wealth, race, education, and power.
- Examines inequality and access to resources.
Deviance
- Behaviors or actions that violate societal norms.
- Theories explain deviance, including strain theory, labeling theory, and social control theory.
Social Change
- Alterations in social structure and cultural patterns over time.
- Influenced by factors like technology, social movements, and globalization.

Qualitative Methods
- In-depth interviews, participant observation, and ethnography to gather rich, detailed information.
Quantitative Methods
- Surveys and statistical analysis to study patterns and correlations within social phenomena.

Structural Functionalism
- Views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability and order.
Conflict Theory
- Focuses on power dynamics and social inequality, emphasizing the struggles between different social groups.
Symbolic Interactionism
- Examines the everyday interactions and meanings individuals attach to their social world.
Feminist Theory
- Analyzes gender inequalities and advocates for women's rights and social change.

Intersectionality: Understanding how various social identities impact experiences of privilege and oppression.
Globalization: Examining how interconnectedness influences cultures and societies.
Technology: Studying the impact of social media and digital communication on social relationships.

Sociology investigates society, social institutions, and relationships.
It aims to comprehend how social structures and cultural norms shape human behavior.

Social Structures
- Comprises patterns of relationships influencing individuals and communities.
- Includes systems like family, education, and economy.
Culture
- Encompasses shared beliefs, values, norms, and practices within a group.
- Involves elements such as language, rituals, and material goods.
Socialization
- The method through which individuals acquire societal values and norms.
- Key agents include families, educational institutions, peer groups, and media.
Social Groups
- Groups formed by individuals sharing interactions and a sense of belonging.
- Divided into primary groups (intimate relationships) and secondary groups (larger, less personal connections).
Social Stratification
- Describes the hierarchical arrangement based on factors like wealth, race, education, and power.
- Investigates inequalities and resource accessibility.
Deviance
- Refers to behaviors that breach societal norms.
- Explored through theories such as strain theory, labeling theory, and social control theory.
Social Change
- Represents shifts in social structure and cultural norms over time.
- Driven by technology, social movements, and globalization.

Qualitative Methods
- Include in-depth interviews, participant observation, and ethnography for comprehensive insights.
Quantitative Methods
- Employ surveys and statistical analyses to identify patterns and correlations in social phenomena.

Structural Functionalism
- Views society as an interconnected system contributing to stability and order.
Conflict Theory
- Analyzes power dynamics, focusing on social inequality and group struggles.
Symbolic Interactionism
- Investigates everyday interactions and the personal meanings individuals assign to their social world.
Feminist Theory
- Examines gender inequalities and advocates for women's rights and social reform.

Auguste Comte
- Known as the father of sociology; introduced the concept of positivism.
Karl Marx
- Focused on class struggles and their relationships to capitalism.
Emile Durkheim
- Investigated social integration and the notion of collective consciousness.
Max Weber
- Explored the effects of culture on behavior and the concept of social action.

Intersectionality
- Studies how overlapping social identities affect privilege and oppression experiences.
Globalization
- Analyzes the impacts of interconnectedness on cultures and societies.
Technology
- Examines how social media and digital communication alter social interactions.