n/a

cultural universals

adaptations to meet essential human needs ex. food, shelter, clothing common cultural aspects across societies

social norms

an established standard of behavior maintained by society ex. behaving differently at church vs football game formal and informal

Social construction

an idea or practice that a group of people agree exist doesn't have a meaning until we give it one ex. money, gender, race

society

group of people who live together, subject to common political authority, and are aware of this distinct identity

Sociology

the scientific study of social behavior and human groups

culture

totality of learned socially transmitted customs, knowledge, material objects, and behaviors

social change

understanding how people live with social transformation ex. pandemic - working from home

cultural conformity

society must work to make sure that people conform to social norms

informal norms

generally understood but not written down ex. correct way to stand in an elevator

symbol

gestures, objects, and words that form the basis of human comminication

Structure vs agency

Structure - recurring patterns that influence options (environment) agency - capacity of people or organizations to make things happen with these restrictions (person)

Sociological imagination

awareness of the relationships between an individual and the wider society both today and past

cultural values

collective conceptions of what is considered good, desirable, and proper or bad, undesirable and improper in a culture.

mores

norms deemed highly necessary to welfare of a society, often because they embody the most cherished principles pf a people ex. murder, child abuse

folkways

norms governing everyday behavior, violation raises little concern ex. walking up a down escalator

Social Order

orderly conduct in society social norms help maintain this

sanctions

penalties and rewards for conduct concerning a social norm positive and negative

Socialization

process that children develop awareness of social norms and values and achieve a distinct sense of self

Formal Norms

written down and specify strict punishments for violators ex. laws, sports rules