Introduction to Society and Culture

These vocabulary flashcards cover definitions of society, types of societies based on different views, definitions and characteristics of culture, and the various elements and norms that structure social life.

Society

A group of people with common territory, interaction, and culture; often characterized by mutual interdependence and a certain way of life.

Socius

The Latin term from which society is derived, meaning companion or associate.

Functional Definition of Society

A complex of groups in reciprocal relationships interacting to enable human organisms to carry on life-activities and fulfill interests.

Structural Definition of Society

The total social heritage of folkways, mores, institutions, habits, sentiments, and ideals.

Survival

A reason for society based on the concept that 'No man is an island' and individuals depend on parents and others for care, support, and protection from birth to death.

Feeling of Gregariousness

The psychosocial need and desire of people to be with others, especially of their own culture, for emotional warmth, belongingness, and approval.

Specialization

The organized effort of professionals (such as teachers, physicians, and lawyers) into societies or associations to promote and protect their own professions.

Social System

A characteristic of society consisting of individuals interacting where a change in one sub-part affects the stability of other parts.

Pre-class Societies

Societies characterized by communal ownership of property and division of labor, such as earliest clans and tribes.

Asiatic Societies

Societies where people are economically self-sufficient but leaders are powerful and despotic.

Ancient Societies

Societies characterized by private land ownership where wealth is limited to a few 'haves' and the 'have-nots' work as laborers.

Feudal Societies

Societies where aristocrats (feudal lords) own big tracts of land and peasants work them for few benefits; these collapsed due to the rise of cities and industry.

Capitalists Societies

Societies existing where two classes appeared: the bourgeoisie (property owners) and the proletariat (laborers compelled to work for others).

Simple Societies

Small, nomadic societies with unstable leadership and no specialization of skills.

Compound Societies

Formed by the merger of two or more simple societies, tending to be settled agricultural societies with four or five social classes.

Doubly Compound Societies

Completely integrated societies with definite political and religious structures and considerable progress in infrastructure and arts.

Militant Societies

Societies characterized by military organization where individual activities and possessions are totally regulated by and exist to serve the State.

Food Gathering Societies

Societies existing more than $16,000$ years ago that survived through hunting large animals and vegetable gathering using tools of stone, wood, and bone.

Horticultural Societies

Societies emerging $12,000$ to $15,000$ years ago where people planted seeds as a means of production for subsistence.

Pastoral Societies

Relatively small, nomadic, male-centered communities organized along kinship groups that raise animals for milk, fur, and protein.

Agricultural Societies

Societies that used the plow and irrigation farming to improve yield, allowing for a larger production that could feed non-food-producing members.

Industrial Societies

Societies beginning in the 18th century during the Industrial Revolution characterized by the use of machines and the production of steel.

Post-industrial Or Information Societies

Modern societies characterized by the spread of computer machines, information technology, and highly-trained specialists.

Culture (E. B. Taylor)

A complex whole consisting of knowledge, beliefs, art, law, morals, and other capabilities acquired, learned, and transmitted by man as a member of society.

Enculturation

The process by which cultural traits of a society are passed on to younger members through growing up and teaching.

Symbols

Anything used to stand for something else and provide understanding common to a group, such as a cross for Christians.

Language

Known as the 'storehouse of culture'; a system of words and symbols used to communicate and transmit culture to future generations.

Technology

The application of knowledge and equipment, including artifacts and devices, to ease the task of living and maintaining the environment.

Values

Culturally defined abstract concepts and standards for what is good, desirable, or important, serving as a benchmark for evaluating actions.

Beliefs

Conceptions or ideas people hold about what is true in their environment, based on common sense, folk wisdom, religion, or science.

Norms

Specific rules or standards that serve as societal expectations and guide appropriate behavior in specific situations.

Social Order

The stability of society based on collective agreement to rules and norms that allow for cooperation and peaceful living.

Proscriptive Norm

A type of norm that defines and tells individuals what not to do.

Prescriptive Norm

A type of norm that defines and tells individuals things they should do.

Folkways

Also known as customs; norms for everyday behavior followed for tradition or convenience, usually without serious consequences if broken.

Mores

Strict norms with moral undertones that control ethical behavior based on definitions of right and wrong.

Laws

Institutionalized norms and mores that are written down and enforced by official law enforcement agencies with stricter punishments.

Social Deviants

Individuals who violate societal norms and are perceived as different by the community.