UCSP Module 8: Social Goals and Socially Acceptable Means

Flashcards covering key vocabulary on social values, norms, status, roles, theories of deviance, and social control mechanisms from UCSP Module 8.

Social Values and Goals

Reflected in the beliefs, behaviors, and material possessions that a society considers important and desirable.

Ideal Culture

What society believes it follows.

Real Culture

What society actually practices.

Kumpadrino System

A practice within Filipino family values that may contribute to nepotism and political dynasties, creating tension between ideal and real culture.

Norms

Socially established rules and regulations for behavior that help maintain the continuity of social values and goals.

Folkways

Socially approved behaviors that do not have a strong moral basis and are based mainly on customs and conventions.

Mores

Norms based on moral conventions and strongly connected to what a society considers right or wrong.

Taboos

Behaviors that are strictly or absolutely forbidden within a particular culture, such as cannibalism and incest.

Laws

Formal rules established and enforced by authorities that reinforce the prohibition or regulation of certain behaviors.

Status

An individual's position in society, which carries specific rights and obligations.

Role

The set of expectations attached to a particular status.

Role Performance

The actual behavior of an individual while carrying out the expectations connected to a status.

Role Set

The multiple roles attached to one status.

Role Conflict

Occurs when an individual has different or competing expectations from two or more statuses held at the same time.

Role Strain

The difficulty experienced in fulfilling the demands of a role.

Role Exit

The process of discontinuing a role, often to address role strain or to enter a new role set.

Conformity

The act of following the roles, goals, and norms of society, which usually receives social acceptance or rewards.

Deviance

The act of violating prescribed social norms, often resulting in stigma or strong social disapproval.

Stigma

Strong social disapproval resulting from an act of deviance.

Social Control Theory

A theory stating that deviance occurs when individuals have weak social bonds to society.

Rational Choice Theory

A theory stating that individuals decide whether to conform or deviate by considering the costs and benefits of their actions.

Differential Association Theory

A theory stating that conformity and deviance are learned through interaction with others, particularly through strong association with deviant groups.

Labeling Theory

A theory stating that an action becomes deviant when it is defined or labeled as deviant by society.

Primary Deviance

An initial deviant act that does not result in the individual being permanently labeled as deviant.

Secondary Deviance

Deviant behavior that develops after an individual is labeled as deviant by society.

Conflict Theory of Deviance

A theory stating that powerful groups influence which behaviors are labeled deviant, treating elite behaviors as norms and less powerful groups' actions as deviant.

Structural-Functionalist Theory of Deviance

A theory explaining deviance at the macro level (anomie or social disorganization from breakdown of norms) and micro level (role strain from lacking resources).

Social Control

The mechanisms used to maintain social order and stability.

Internalization

The process through which social norms become incorporated into an individual's personality, leading the person to follow norms more automatically.

Sanctions

Rewards or punishments used to encourage conformity and discourage deviance.

Formal Positive Sanction

Institutional reward for conformity, such as honors, medals, or promotion.

Formal Negative Sanction

Institutional punishment, such as imprisonment, fines, or dismissal.

Informal Positive Sanction

Reward from individuals or groups, such as applause, approval, or cheers.

Informal Negative Sanction

Disapproval or punishment from individuals or groups, such as gossip, ridicule, or being grounded.