Society and Social Groups

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers concepts related to society and social groups, including types of authority, forms of social control, and elements of group cohesion.

Social Cohesion

A state involving authority, control, commitment, loyalty, and co-operation within a group or society.

Traditional Authority

Authority that is considered God-given and usually obtained through birth, where rulers believe they have rightfully inherited their position.

Charismatic Authority

Authority based on the ability to command support from people due to one’s charisma, which challenges traditional ways of doing things.

Rational Legal Authority

Power held because of a position in an organization or through laws and offices of government, where power lies in the office and not the person.

Social Control

The method used to regulate individuals, groups, and organizations in an effort to prevent chaos.

Norms

Ways of behaving shared by most members of a group or culture that differentiate between what is acceptable or unacceptable.

Folkways

Traditional patterns of behavior learned and practiced from childhood that are informal norms and carry weak sanctions.

Rules

Statements which prescribe how people should behave regarding conduct, dress, language, or attendance, and can be changed based on situations.

Mores

Ways of behaving in a society based on moral values that describe right and wrong behavior and serve as the pillars for laws.

Laws

Norms part of official organizations or rules put in place by a parliament that are set out in writing and enforced by police and court systems.

Agent

A person or thing that does something on behalf of someone or a group to help promote social control.

Commitment

A pledge or promise to do something, be loyal, or stand by certain principles.

Loyalty

Faithfulness or devotion to a group, someone, or country, remaining true even when things may be difficult.

Vows

A solemn promise made by individuals in groups or organizations to show their commitment or loyalty.

Oaths

A solemn promise to behave in a certain way, usually calling on God to witness.

Affirmations

To state something is true without calling on the divine.

Consensus

The state of being in agreement; lack of this can hinder cooperation.

Prejudice

A judgment that is not necessarily based on facts.

Ignorance

A lack of information that can prevent or hinder cooperation.