APU Intro to Sociology 120 Midterm 1 Study Guide

Social functions

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

Nonmaterial culture

The ideas created by members of a society.

Manifest functions

The intended consequences of any social pattern.

Material culture

The physical things created by members of a society.

Social interaction

The process by which people act and react in relation to others.

Sociology

The systematic study of human society

Latent functions

The unintended consequences of any social pattern.

Culture

The ways of thinking, acting, and material objects that form a person's lifestyle.

Cultural universal

Traits that are part of every known culture.

Theoretical approach

A basic image of society that guides thinking and research.

Structural-functional approach

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

Sexual orientation

A person's romantic and emotional attraction to another person.

Status

A social position that is part of social identity and defines our relationship to others.

Theory

A statement of how and why specific facts are related.

Language

A system of symbols that allow people to communicate with each other.

Social structure

Any stable pattern of social behavior.

Symbol

Anything that carries a paricular meaning recognized by people who share a culture.

Achieved status

Earned

Master status

Either ascribed or achieved, has special importance for a person's identity.

Emprical evidence

Information we can verify with our senses.

Ascribed status

Involuntary

Cultural shock

Personal disorientation when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life.

Gender

Refers to behavior, power, and privilege as a society attaches to being female or male.

Sex

Refers to bodily differences between females and males. It is biological.

Norms

Rules and expectations by which a society guide its member's behaviors.

Sociological perspective

Sociology's special point of view that sees patterns of society in particular people's lives.

Beliefs

Specific ideas that people hold to be true.