Sociology: Chapters 1 (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, theories, terms, and figures from the lecture notes.

Sociology

Systematic or scientific study of human society and social behavior, ranging from large-scale institutions to small groups (Becker, 1986).

Sociological perspective

A way of looking at the world that emphasizes social context and patterns rather than just individual actions.

Macrosociology

Level of analysis that focuses on large-scale social structures and processes.

Microsociology

Level of analysis that studies face-to-face interactions and small-group dynamics.

Sociological imagination

Mills’ idea of linking biography and history to understand the intersection of personal troubles and public issues.

Beginner’s mind

McGrane’s concept of approaching the world without preconceptions to enable new learning.

Practical knowledge

Everyday, tacit know-how used by individuals in daily life; not systematic or scientific.

Social analyst

A person who questions taken-for-granted knowledge and seeks coherent, systematic explanations.

Everyday actor

An individual navigating daily life using practical knowledge.

Positivism

Approach that seeks universal laws of social phenomena through empirical observation.

Social institutions

Structures like family, education, economy, religion, and politics that meet societal needs and perform functions.

Manifest functions

Obvious, intended consequences of a social structure.

Latent functions

Unintended or less obvious consequences of a social structure.

Dysfunction

Disruption or negative consequence within a social system that can trigger change.

Structural functionalism

Theory viewing society as a stable system of interrelated parts, each with a function.

Mechanical solidarity

Social cohesion in simple societies based on shared beliefs and values.

Organic solidarity

Social cohesion in complex societies based on interdependence and specialized roles.

Conflict theory

Macro-level perspective that sees social inequality as central to society and a driver of change (Marx).

False consciousness

Acceptance by the oppressed of ideology that justifies the status quo and obscures exploitation.

Class consciousness

Awareness by workers of their shared interests and the structure of their oppression.

Bourgeoisie

Owners of the means of production who hold economic and political power.

Proletariat

Workers who sell their labor and are exploited under capitalism.

Capitalism

Private-for-profit economic system that organizes production and exchange.

Anomie

Normlessness or disconnection due to rapid social change (Durkheim).

Symbolic interactionism

Micro-level theory focusing on how meaning is created through everyday interactions.

Verstehen

Weber’s empathic understanding—studying social action by interpreting actors’ meanings.

Rationalization

Weber’s process of applying economic logic and rules to all spheres of life.

Iron cage

Weber’s idea that individuals can become trapped in bureaucratic rules and rational systems.

Bureaucracy

Administered organization with specialization, hierarchy, rules, impersonality, and written communication.

Protestant Ethic

Weber’s link between certain religious beliefs and the development of capitalism.

McDonaldization

Ritzer’s extension of rationalization to other areas of society—efficiency, predictability, calculability, control.

Postmodernism

Theory challenging grand narratives and emphasizing multiple, diverse perspectives.

Midrange theory

Theoretical approach that explains specific, testable sociological phenomena between micro and macro scales.

Critical race theory

Theory focusing on how race and racism are embedded in legal and social systems of power.

Feminist theory

Theory analyzing gender inequality across institutions and its intersections with race, class, and sexuality.

Queer theory

Theory positing that sexual categories are social constructs and identities can be fluid.

Culture industries

Adorno and Horkheimer’s idea that mass media produce and control cultural consumption and ideology.

Praxis

The application of theory to practical action aimed at improving society.

Dramaturgy

Goffman’s view of social life as a stage, with front-stage and back-stage performances.

Ethnomethodology

Garfinkel’s study of the everyday methods people use to construct social reality.

Chicago School of Sociology

American school emphasizing empirical, urban, microsociological research and fieldwork.

Sociological imagination (biography/history)

See sociological imagination; the link between the individual and larger social forces.

Empirical

Knowledge derived from observation or experiment, not just theory.