Introduction to Sociology Final Exam Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary, sociological theories, and research methods from the Introduction to Sociology Final Exam transcript.

Functionalism

A sociological perspective that views society as a system with interrelated parts working together to maintain stability.

Social location

The specific positions an individual occupies in society that most directly affect their opportunities and life outcomes.

Blaming the system

Attributing social problems to structural issues, such as an economic recession, rather than personal deficiencies.

Pastoral and horticultural society

A form of society characterized by the domestication of animals and cultivation of plants to enable stable communities.

Observation

A sociological research method that involves directly watching participants in their natural environment without interference.

Nonmaterial culture

The component of culture that includes beliefs, values, and norms.

Cultural relativism

The practice of understanding cultural practices based on their own cultural context rather than judging them by the standards of another culture.

Looking-glass self theory

A theory by Charles Horton Cooley suggesting the self is developed by perceiving how others view us and internalizing that perception.

Ascribed status

A social position assigned at birth or involuntarily acquired.

Achieved status

A social position earned through personal effort.

Primary group

A small, intimate group characterized by close, personal relationships.

Asch conformity experiment

A social psychological experiment demonstrating that individuals conform to group pressure even when the group is clearly wrong.

Formal social control

Regulation of behavior involving written laws and legal enforcement.

Informal social control

Regulation of behavior involving unwritten social norms, peer pressure, and sanctions.

Strain theory

A theory viewing deviance as arising when there is a gap between cultural goals and the means available to achieve them.

Caste system

A social stratification system characterized by fixed hereditary status with no social mobility.

Poverty

In sociological terms, the state of not having enough income for basic necessities.

Dependency theory

A global stratification theory arguing that resources are exploited by wealthy nations to maintain dominance over poorer nations.

Random sampling

A research technique ensuring every member of a population has an equal chance of selection to reduce bias.

Experimental research

A method allowing for the manipulation of variables in a controlled environment to establish causation.

Reference group

A group that serves as a standard for self-evaluation and influences an individual's behavior and attitudes.

Institutional discrimination

Disadvantageous treatment of a group through company policies or organizational practices.

Role conflict

A situation where there is conflict between the requirements or expectations of different statuses held by one person.

Cultural lag

A situation where certain parts of culture change more slowly than others, affecting society.

Social stratification

The hierarchical categorization or ranking of people within a society.