Key Concepts in Urban Sociology and Social Theory

Sociology

Systematic study of society and social institutions.

Socialization

Lifelong process of learning societal norms and values.

Fact

Observable and measurable information supported by evidence.

Opinion

Personal belief not necessarily based on evidence.

Sociological Imagination

Connecting personal experiences to larger social forces.

Personal Troubles

Individual problems affecting personal surroundings.

Public Issues

Societal problems requiring collective solutions.

Social Fact

Ways of acting that exert social control.

External to the Individual

Social facts exist independently of individuals.

Coercive Power

Influence that constrains individual behavior through norms.

Urban Sociology

Study of social interactions in urban environments.

Conflict Theory

Society as a struggle for power and resources.

Karl Marx

Philosopher who analyzed economic structures in society.

Class Struggle

Conflict between bourgeoisie and proletariat classes.

Bourgeoisie

Capitalist class owning means of production.

Proletariat

Working class selling labor for survival.

Political Dynasties

Families controlling government and business in Philippines.

Business Elites

Wealthy individuals owning major industries and banks.

Factory Workers

Laborers in harsh conditions for low wages.

Contractual Workers

Employees denied regular benefits and job security.

Overseas Filipino Workers

Migrants seeking better job opportunities abroad.

Contractualization (ENDO)

Hiring workers on short contracts to avoid benefits.

Capitalism

Economic system where capitalists profit from labor.

Surplus Value

Difference between worker's value and wages paid.

Alienation of Labor

Disconnection workers feel from their labor.

BPO Industry

Sector employing many call center agents in Philippines.

Peter L. Berger

Sociologist known for sociology of knowledge and religion.

Sociological Perspective

Viewing society beyond taken-for-granted assumptions.

Structural Functionalism

Society as interdependent parts maintaining stability.

Émile Durkheim

Key figure in establishing sociology as a discipline.

Talcott Parsons

Sociologist who developed structural functionalism concepts.

AGIL Model

Parsons' four functional imperatives for societal survival.

Adaptation

Society's ability to adjust to changes.

Attainment

Achieving societal goals and objectives.

Integration

Bringing together different parts of society.

Latency

Preserving cultural norms and values over time.

Robert Merton

Sociologist known for manifest and latent functions.

Manifest Functions

Intended and obvious consequences of social actions.

Latent Functions

Unintended and hidden consequences of social actions.