Sociology Final Exam Key Terms

Media

Any formats that carry, present, or communicate information

Hegemony

getting people to go along with the status quo because it seems like the best course of action or the natural order of things

Domination

getting people to do what you want by force

Audience studies

research on how people read, interpret, and are affected by media and texts

Stereotypes in media

repeatedly portraying certain groups in a specific light, media can reinforce negative stereotypes and create a distorted view of reality

Racism in media

media can create, reinforce, and perpetuate racist ideologies and stereotypes based on ethnicity, gender, religion, and other factors

Sexism in media

frequently how women are represented. glamorizing and perpetuating unrealistic ideals of feminine beauty

Violence in media

portrayals of of violence against women in advertising images

Media literacy

ability to critically analyze stories presented in the mass media and to determine their accuracy or credibility

Media bias

Bias or slant in the selection of which news to report and how the news is reported.

Fake News

False information presented as legitimate news. Could be made up, exaggerated, or lies

Native advertising

Sponsored content designed to blend with regular content.

Embedded marketing

AKA product placement. subtly integrating a product or brand into content to appear natural and less like traditional advertising

Socialization

process through which individuals internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of a society and learn to function as its members

Agents of socialization

the people, groups, and institutions that influence an individual's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, shaping their understanding of the world and their place in it

Looking glass self

how we develop our self-image based on how we perceive others see us

Peer pressure

the influence that people your age may have on you

Primary group

group that you have the most contact and investment with over long periods of time

Secondary group

group you have less contact with or only for a period of time. Usually a group geared towards completing a specific goal or task

Status

socially defined position in a group or society. It determines where an individual fits into the social structure

Role

expected behaviors associated with a status. For every status, there are roles people are expected to play

Formal Organizations

Groups organized to achieve goals efficiently.

Utilitarian organization

people join for a practical benefit, usually to earn a living or receive something valuable

Normative organization

people join to pursue shared goals or values; the benefit is moral or social, not material

Coercive organization

people are forced to join, often as a form of punishment or treatment

Gender

refers to the roles, behaviors, expectations, and identities that society considers appropriate for people based on their perceived sex

Sex

refers to the biological and physical characteristics that are typically labeled male or female

Gender roles

Societal expectations for behavior based on gender.

Gender stratification

the unequal distribution of wealth, power, and privilege between genders in society.