Introduction to 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
Variable
A concept whose value changes from case to case
Structural functional approach
A framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system who's 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
Science
A logical system that develops knowledge from direct systematic observation
Concept
A mental construct that represents some aspects of the world in a simplified form
Race conflict approach
A point of view that focuses on inequality and conflict between people of different racial and ethnic categories
Measurement
A procedure for determining the value of a variable in a specific case
Cause and effect
A relationship in which change in one variable (the independent variable) causes change in another (the dependent variable)
Experiement
A research method for investigating cause and effect under highly controlled conditions
Participant observation
A research method in which investigators systematically observe people while joining them in their routine activities
Survey
A research method in which subjects respond to a series of statements or questions on a questionnaire or in an interview
Stereotype
A simplified description applied to every person in some category
Positivism
A specific approach to knowledge based on positive facts as opposed to mere speculation.
Theory
A statement of how and why specific facts are related
Research method
A systematic plan for doing research
Validity
Actually measuring exactly what you intend to measure
Social structure
Any relatively stable pattern of social behaviour
Social dysfunction
Any social pattern that may disrupt the operation of society
Reliability
Consistency in measurement
Empirical evidence
Information we can verify with our senses
Low income nations
Nations with a low standard of living in which most people are poor
Middle income countries
Nations with a standard of living about average for the world as a whole
High income countries
Nations with the highest overall standards of living
Correlation
Relationship in which two or more variables change together
Feminism
Support of social equality for women and men
Social functions
The consequences of a social pattern for the operation of society as a whole
Gender
The personal traits and social positions that members of a society attach to being female or male
Manifest functions
The recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern
Sociological perspective
The special point of view of sociology that sees general patterns of society in the lives of particular people.
Positivist sociology
The study of society based on scientific observation of social behaviour
Interpretive sociology
The study of society that focuses on discovering the meanings people attach to their social world
Critical sociology
The study of society that focuses on the need for social change
Global perspective
The study of the larger world and our society's place in it
Sociology
The systematic study of human society
Latent functions
The unrecognized and unintended consequences of any social pattern