sociology vocab

sociology

the scientific study of society, human social behavior, and the interactions that shape everyday life

society

the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community

social studies

various aspects or branches of the study of human society, considered as an educational discipline

sociological imagination

the "quality of mind" enabling individuals to understand the relationship between their personal experiences (biography) and larger social forces (history/structure)

social darwinism

"survival of the fittest" dictates social, economic, and political power

symbol

something that represents something else

function

the recognized, intended, or unintended role that a social institution, practice, or structure plays in maintaining stability and solidarity within a society.

dysfunction

the undesirable, unintended, or harmful consequences of a social pattern, structure, or process that disrupts the stability and operation of society

latent function

the unintended, unrecognized, and often hidden consequences of social structures, institutions, or actions

manifest function

the recognized, intended, and conscious consequence of any social pattern, institution, or action

theory

a framework, supposition, or set of interrelated concepts designed to explain, analyze, and predict social phenomena, interactions, and structures

theoretical prespective

a structured, interpretive framework—a "lens"—used to examine, explain, and predict social patterns, behaviors, and interactions