Sociology Vocab Quiz
theoretical perspectives
A general set of assumptions about the nature of things. In sociology, a theoretical perspective outlines specific ideas about the nature of social life
sociological perspective
A point of view that can help you look beyond commonly held beliefs to the hidden meanings behind human actions.
symbol
Anything that represents something else
economics
Economics analyze the choices people make in an effort to satisfy their needs and wants.
interactionist perspective
Focuses on how individuals interact with one another and respond to one another in everyday situations
conflict perspective
Focusing on the forces in society that promote competition and change
symbolic interaction
How people use symbols when interacting. Three elements of symbolic interaction: meaning, language, and thought
function
Is the consequence that an element of society produces for the maintenances of its social system
microsociology
Sociology looking at small-group settings and the everyday face to face interactions among group members
sociological imagination
The ability to see the connection between the larger world and your personal life. Named by sociologist C. Wright Mills.
globalization
The development of economic, political, and social relationships that stretch worldwide. Globalization requires sociologists to look at social life not only in terms of their own society but also in a global context
political science
The examination of the principles, organization, and operation of the government.
dysfunctions
The negative consequence an element creates for the stability of society
history
The social science that studies the people and events of the past.
social psycology
The study of how the social environment affects an individual's behavior and personality.
macrosociology
The study of large scale systems and society as a whole, as well as long term effects of societal changes
social darwinism
The theory that individuals, groups, and peoples are subject to the same Darwinian laws of natural selection as plants and animals. was advocated by Herbert Spencer and was used to justify political conservatism, imperialism, and racism and to discourage intervention and reform
latent functions
The unintended and unrecognized consequence of an element of society
functionalist perspective
Viewing society as a set of related interconnected parts that work together to produce a stable social system
feminist perspective
Viewing society as a sex/gender system in which men dominate women and are valued more
verstehen
an attempt to understand the meanings individuals attach to their actions. one puts themselves in the place of others and tries to see situations through their eyes (empathy)
theory
an explanation of the relationships among particular phemomena
ideal type
description comprised of the essential characteristics of a feature of society. sociologists construct an ideal type first by examining many different examples of the feature and then by deducing its essential characteristics
social sciences
disciplines that study human social behavior or institutions and the functions of human society in a scientific manner
social interaction
how people relate to one another and influence each one's behavior
social phenomena
observable facts or events that involve human society
anthropology
the comparative study of past and present cultures
manifest functions
the intended and recognized consequence of some elements of society
psycology
the social science that studies behavior and mental process
sociology
the social science that studies human society and social behavior