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
structural-functional approach
a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose 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
stereotype
a simplified description applied to every person in some category
Theory
a statement of how and why specific facts are related
social structure
any relatively stable pattern of social behavior
social dysfunction
any social pattern that may disrupt the operation of society
society
people who interact in a defined territory and share a culture
sociological perspective
sociology's special point of view that sees general patterns of society in the lives of particular people
Feminism
support of social equality for women and men, in opposition to patriarchy and sexism
social functions
the consequences of a social pattern for the operation of society as a whole
manifest functions
the recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern
race-conflict theory
the study of society that focuses on inequality and conflict between people of different racial and ethnic categories
gender-conflict theory (feminist theory)
the study of society that focuses on inequality and conflict between women and men
Sociology
the systematic study of human society
latent functions
the unrecognized and unintended consequences of any social pattern