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