Understanding Culture and Society in UCSP

The study of society and the relationships between individuals within that society, emphasizing empirical research and theoretical analysis.

The shared customs, beliefs, values, and practices of a group of people, learned and passed down through generations.

A collection of people living together in an organized community, with established social structures and institutions.

The way in which a society makes and uses decisions, with different systems of governance and power structures.

The sum of customs, beliefs, values, and practices learned by individuals as members of a society. It's not just about one item but a collection of many elements.

The ability to understand and share the feelings of others from different walks of life.

A social structure characterized by simple, family-based organizations.

A social structure characterized by complex organizations and institutions.

The study of how individuals interact with each other based on shared meanings and symbols.

A theoretical framework that views society as marked by conflict between competing interests.

A set of interconnected parts with specific functions that work together to maintain order and stability in society.

The study of how societies are governed, how power is acquired and maintained, and how agents and institutions interact.

Conceptual agreement where individuals in a 'state of nature' agree to form a society with laws and institutions to secure mutual benefits.

A system of rules recognized by a country or community to regulate members' actions.

The study of how people participate in political activities, like voting, protests, and lobbying.

A sociological perspective that views society as a structure with interconnected parts designed to meet individual needs.

Society is an abstract concept, it is cultural, it is a process, not a product.

The study of the influence of social factors on individuals and groups, and how they interact with each other.

The activity of taking a photo of oneself, often shared on social media.

A symbol represents something else with no natural connection, based on cultural meaning.

Symbols used to communicate within a group or society.

Symbols used to express political beliefs and stances.

Symbols representing economic systems or activities.

The process of acquiring and passing on cultural knowledge and practices.

The direct ancestors of the Homo genus (humans).

A species within the genus Homo. Includes modern humans.

The stages of evolution leading to modern humans.

The process by which individuals learn their own culture. Happens naturally within one's own cultural group, often unconsciously.

The process by which individuals adapt to the influence of another culture by borrowing many of its aspects.

The process by which individuals fully absorb the culture of a dominant group, often losing or significantly altering their original cultural identity.

The process by which individuals adjust their behavior and practices to fit into a new cultural or social environment without losing their distinct cultural identity.

A major contributor to the subfield of criminology. A means to become a member of a society. Argued that society may be set up in a way that encourages too much deviance.

How the society achieves its goals.

What society wants to achieve.

The state of accepting both the societal goals and the means to achieve them.

The historical period marked by the widespread use of iron for tools and weapons, leading to advancements in warfare, agriculture, and the rise of larger empires.

The study of the past, including the rise of ancient civilizations, the development of writing, and the emergence of major world religions.

The process of transitioning from authoritarian rule to a more democratic system, where citizens have greater political power and influence.

Social rules and expectations that guide behavior within a society. They can be formal laws or informal customs and traditions.

Methods used to enforce conformity to social norms. They can be informal (e.g., gossip) or formal (e.g., laws and punishments).

Behavior that deviates from accepted social norms. It can be positive or negative depending on context. It can be a violation of folkways, mores, or laws.

A lifelong process of learning and internalizing the norms, values, and beliefs of a society. It shapes our identity, behavior, and understanding of the world.

A sociologist known for his contributions to the study of deviance and social control, particularly for his theory of social strain.