Sociology Insights: Durkheim's Theories

The ability of individuals or groups to achieve their goals, even when others resist, sometimes using force.

Shared ideas or beliefs that justify the interests of dominant groups.

A framework that sees society as a product of daily interactions between individuals.

The meaning assigned to actions or statements based on interactions between people.

Interactions create shared understandings that form the basis of society.

A theory that views individuals as rational actors pursuing their own interests within society.

A theory that applies game strategy to interactions, including competition and cooperation.

The study of strategic decision making in interactions with multiple participants.

The way individuals in a society rely on each other, allowing them to feel like they can benefit others.

A type of social solidarity found in simple societies where everyone shares similar beliefs, values, and ways of life. It's like a collective identity.

A type of social solidarity found in complex societies where people specialize in different tasks and rely on each other for goods and services. It's like a network of interdependent parts.

The state of being disconnected or alienated from society, feeling like one doesn't belong or doesn't have a purpose. It can contribute to suicidal behavior.

The study of social facts, which are aspects of social life that influence our actions, such as rules, norms, and institutions.

A situation where individuals have to take decisions that result in their own deaths.

The outcome of extreme personal unhappiness, possibly caused by social factors like anomie.

Aspects of social life, like societal norms and institutions, that shape our actions and decisions, even if we are not aware of them.

A model that divides the world into three economic zones: Core (wealthy, industrialized), Periphery (poor, agricultural, exploited), and Semi-periphery (semi-industrialized, middle-income, extracting profits from Periphery and yielding them to Core).

Worldwide networks of labor and production processes that create a finished product, extending from raw materials to the final consumer.

The process by which individuals learn social norms, values, and behaviors, becoming socially competent.

The first stage of socialization that takes place in early childhood, primarily within the family. The family influences future learning experiences.

A family structure that doesn't necessarily involve two parents (a mother and father) and their children. A broader definition of family.

The trend of couples getting married later in life, particularly in Western societies.

The process by which families (often mothers) raise their children based on love, encouragement, and fostering their children's interests.

The process by which families (often fathers) raise their children based on strict discipline and limited emotional expression.

A term that describes the disproportionate imprisonment of African Americans in the United States. It encompasses the criminal justice system, policies, and practices that marginalize individuals labeled as criminals, impacting them even after release.

The tendency for certain individuals or groups to be more likely to commit crimes or become victims due to factors like age, gender, or socioeconomic status.

The phenomenon where inner-city residents face a significantly higher risk of becoming victims of crime compared to residents of affluent suburbs.

The observation that women's offenses are often less violent and typically involve petty thefts or public order offenses like prostitution or public intoxication.

The idea that the criminal justice system may treat female offenders more leniently than male offenders due to perceptions of being less dangerous. This is sometimes referred to as the 'Chivalry Thesis'.

Crimes committed against women, often involving violence, and a focus of feminist criminology to raise awareness and address these offenses.

A field that studies the intersection of gender and crime, examining how women are both victims and perpetrators of crime and how their experiences differ from those of men.

A collection of individuals who interact regularly and share expectations about behavior, identifying with each other and recognizing boundaries with other groups.

People sharing common traits like gender or occupation but without regular interaction or a sense of belonging.

A temporary gathering of individuals at a specific location without significant interaction or shared identity.

Small, intimate groups characterized by face-to-face interaction, strong commitment, and a sense of unity. Family and close friends are examples.

Groups focused on achieving specific goals, often with limited emotional connection.

The interconnectedness and support among members of an extended family, common in many Asian cultures where family concerns take priority.

The tendency for a disproportionate number of children to be born outside marriage in certain communities.

The practice of having a child before being married.

Rape should not be seen as a sexual offense, but as a violent crime against someone's integrity and dignity.

Women often face intimidation and humiliation during the legal process, including medical examinations, police interrogations, and courtroom cross-examinations.

A subcultural theory explaining deviance suggests that individuals conform to rules when they have opportunities, but break them when they lack those opportunities.

Individuals may choose to break rules or engage in deviant behavior when they perceive a lack of legitimate opportunities.

Terrorists can exploit security measures by sending members who do not fit the profile of potential threats, such as wearing specific clothing or belonging to a particular race or ethnicity.

Liberal feminism focuses on promoting equal treatment for men and women without making claims about inherent biological or psychological differences.

According to Pinker, there exist biological differences between men and women's minds, and these differences are not solely based on cultural influences.

Pinker argues that feminism has not definitively been the most important factor in the improvement of women's status in recent decades.