Sociology Key Terms and Concepts

Questions and Answers

Define Master Status.

One status/role which overrides or overpowers your other roles.

Define Gender Roles.

Sets of behavioral norms assumed to accompany one's status as male or female.

Define Role Conflict.

Tension caused by the competing demands of two or more roles pertaining to different statuses.

Define Status Set.

All of the statuses that one holds simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between an ascribed status and an achieved status? Give an example for each.

Ascribed status is one that is born into or involuntarily assigned, like race, age, or sex; achieved status is based on personal actions, like being a doctor or an athlete. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between role strain and role conflict?

Role strain occurs when a single status has many roles that can be difficult to manage; role conflict occurs between roles from different statuses. Signup and view all the answers

In Role Theory, what does Johnny's situation exemplify?

Role Conflict. Signup and view all the answers

What is a total institution? Give an example.

An institution in which one is totally immersed and controls all aspects of daily life; examples include MTC and Boot Camp. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between resocialization and adult socialization?

Adult socialization is the ongoing process of learning how to fit into a changing environment, while resocialization is a more drastic change in social values and norms. Signup and view all the answers

Name four agents of socialization.

Media, Peers, School, Family. Signup and view all the answers

What is the generalized other?

An internalized sense of all the social expectations that we've learned. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between I, me, and self?

Self is your identity as perceived by you; I is one's sense of agency; Me is your identity as you think others see you. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definitions of Key Terms

Master Status: A dominant role that overshadows other statuses, significantly influencing an individual's identity or social interactions.
Gender Roles: Behavioral expectations associated with being male or female, including norms and stereotypes governing behavior.
Role Conflict: Occurs when the responsibilities of multiple statuses clash, creating tension (e.g., being both a student and an athlete).
Status Set: The collection of all statuses that an individual holds at one time, reflecting their various social identities.

Status Types

Ascribed Status: A status assigned involuntarily at birth or through uncontrollable circumstances (e.g., race, age, gender).
Achieved Status: A status earned through one's actions and choices, reflecting personal accomplishments (e.g., becoming a doctor or athlete).

Role Dynamics

Role Strain vs. Role Conflict:
- Role strain refers to difficulty managing multiple roles within a single status (e.g., responsibilities of being a student).
- Role conflict is external, involving competing demands from different statuses (e.g., balancing being a teacher and a mother).

Examples of Role Conflict

Johnny struggled with focusing on his chemistry test due to fatigue from a late basketball game, illustrating the challenge of managing the demands of being a student and an athlete.

Total Institutions

Total Institution: A setting where individuals are fully immersed in an environment that regulates all aspects of their daily lives (e.g., military boot camps, monasteries).

Socialization Processes

Adult Socialization: Continuous adaptation to new social roles and responsibilities, often experienced when transitioning to milestones such as a new job or moving out.
Resocialization: A more radical transformation of an individual's beliefs and social values, often necessary during life-altering experiences, such as incarceration or significant life role changes.

Agents of Socialization

Factors that influence an individual's social learning include:
- Media
- Peers
- Schools
- Family

Generalized Other

Represents the collective societal expectations and norms internalized by individuals, guiding appropriate interactions, especially with strangers.

Understanding Self-Concept

Self: Personal identity as understood by oneself.
I: Represents an individual's sense of autonomy or personal agency.
Me: Reflects the individual's perception of how they are viewed by others, informing behavior based on social feedback.

Description

Test your understanding of essential sociology concepts including master status, gender roles, and role conflict. This quiz will explore how various social identities and statuses influence individual interactions and experiences. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their knowledge in sociology.