sociology chapter 1

theoretical approach

a basic image of society that guides thinking and research

macro-level orientation

a broad focus on social structures that shape society as a whole

micro-level orientation

a close-up focus on social interaction in specific situations

structural-functional approach

a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability

social-conflict approach

a framework for building theory that sees society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and change

symbolic-interaction approach

a framework for building theory that sees society as the product of the everyday interactions of individuals

stereotype

a simplified description applied to every person in some category

Theory

a statement of how and why specific facts are related

social structure

any relatively stable pattern of social behavior

social dysfunction

any social pattern that may disrupt the operation of society

society

people who interact in a defined territory and share a culture

sociological perspective

sociology's special point of view that sees general patterns of society in the lives of particular people

Feminism

support of social equality for women and men, in opposition to patriarchy and sexism

social functions

the consequences of a social pattern for the operation of society as a whole

manifest functions

the recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern

race-conflict theory

the study of society that focuses on inequality and conflict between people of different racial and ethnic categories

gender-conflict theory (feminist theory)

the study of society that focuses on inequality and conflict between women and men

Sociology

the systematic study of human society

latent functions

the unrecognized and unintended consequences of any social pattern