Sociology101- Chapter1

Theoretical Paradigm

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 situation

Structional Functional Paradigm

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

Social Conflict Paradigm

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

Symbolic Interaction Paradigm

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

Theory

A statement of how and why specific facts are related

Positivism

A way of understanding based on science

Stereotype

An exaggerated description applied to every person in some category

Social Structure

Any relatively stable partern of social behavior

Social Dysfunction

Any social pattern that may disrupt the operation of society

Low Income Countries

Nations with less productive economic systems in which most people are poor

Middle Income Countries

Nations with moderately productive economic systems in which people's incomes are about the global average

High Income Countries

Nations with very productive economic systems in which most people have relatively high incomes

Social Functions

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

Manifest Functions

The recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern

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 patterned