Sociology Vocab Quiz

theoretical perspectives

A general set of assumptions about the nature of things. In sociology, a theoretical perspective outlines specific ideas about the nature of social life

sociological perspective

A point of view that can help you look beyond commonly held beliefs to the hidden meanings behind human actions.

symbol

Anything that represents something else

economics

Economics analyze the choices people make in an effort to satisfy their needs and wants.

interactionist perspective

Focuses on how individuals interact with one another and respond to one another in everyday situations

conflict perspective

Focusing on the forces in society that promote competition and change

symbolic interaction

How people use symbols when interacting. Three elements of symbolic interaction: meaning, language, and thought

function

Is the consequence that an element of society produces for the maintenances of its social system

microsociology

Sociology looking at small-group settings and the everyday face to face interactions among group members

sociological imagination

The ability to see the connection between the larger world and your personal life. Named by sociologist C. Wright Mills.

globalization

The development of economic, political, and social relationships that stretch worldwide. Globalization requires sociologists to look at social life not only in terms of their own society but also in a global context

political science

The examination of the principles, organization, and operation of the government.

dysfunctions

The negative consequence an element creates for the stability of society

history

The social science that studies the people and events of the past.

social psycology

The study of how the social environment affects an individual's behavior and personality.

macrosociology

The study of large scale systems and society as a whole, as well as long term effects of societal changes

social darwinism

The theory that individuals, groups, and peoples are subject to the same Darwinian laws of natural selection as plants and animals. was advocated by Herbert Spencer and was used to justify political conservatism, imperialism, and racism and to discourage intervention and reform

latent functions

The unintended and unrecognized consequence of an element of society

functionalist perspective

Viewing society as a set of related interconnected parts that work together to produce a stable social system

feminist perspective

Viewing society as a sex/gender system in which men dominate women and are valued more

verstehen

an attempt to understand the meanings individuals attach to their actions. one puts themselves in the place of others and tries to see situations through their eyes (empathy)

theory

an explanation of the relationships among particular phemomena

ideal type

description comprised of the essential characteristics of a feature of society. sociologists construct an ideal type first by examining many different examples of the feature and then by deducing its essential characteristics

social sciences

disciplines that study human social behavior or institutions and the functions of human society in a scientific manner

social interaction

how people relate to one another and influence each one's behavior

social phenomena

observable facts or events that involve human society

anthropology

the comparative study of past and present cultures

manifest functions

the intended and recognized consequence of some elements of society

psycology

the social science that studies behavior and mental process

sociology

the social science that studies human society and social behavior