Sociology: Self-Development, Socialization, and Theories of Society

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from sociology notes on self-development, socialization, and theories of society.

Socialization

The lifelong process by which individuals learn and internalize a culture's norms, values, and behaviors, shaped by both nature (genetic/hormonal) and nurture (social environment).

Nature

Genetic and hormonal factors that influence behavior.

Nurture

The social environment in which a person is raised.

Agents of socialization

Direct interactions with social groups (family, peers) and institutions (schools, workplaces, media) that teach expected behavior.

Resocialization

The process of discarding old norms and adopting new ones; often stressful and difficult.

Socialization across the life course

Lifelong socialization that reoccurs as people enter new life stages, prompting new rules and roles.

Kohlberg’s theory of moral development

A stage-based theory of how morality develops; later expanded by Gilligan to include gender differences.

Gilligan’s orientation to morality

Emphasizes gender differences in moral development, expanding Kohlberg’s theory.

Cooley

Sociologist who contributed to understanding the development of the self.

Mead

Sociologist who contributed to the development of the self.

Looking-glass self

Our self-image is formed by how we think others perceive us.

Iron cage

A situation in which an individual is trapped by social institutions and rational systems.

Mechanical solidarity

Social order maintained by collective consciousness and similarity in less complex societies.

Organic solidarity

Social order based on interdependence and acceptance of differences in more complex societies.

Pastoral societies

Societies organized around the domestication of animals.

Hunter-gatherer societies

Societies that rely on hunting wild animals and gathering plants.

Horticultural societies

Societies based on the cultivation of plants.

Agricultural societies

Societies that rely on farming as a way of life.

Industrial societies

Societies characterized by mechanized production and material goods.

Information societies

Societies based on the production of nonmaterial goods and services.

Institutionalization

The act of implanting a convention or norm into society.

Role

Patterns of behavior that are representative of a person’s social status.

Role-set

An array of roles attached to a particular status.

Role conflict

A situation when one or more roles clash.

Role strain

Stress that occurs when too much is required of a single role.

Role performance

The expression of a role.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

An idea that becomes true when acted upon.

Status

The responsibilities and benefits that a person experiences according to rank and role in society.

Ascribed status

A status outside of an individual’s control (e.g., sex or race).

Achieved status

The status a person earns or chooses (e.g., education, income).

Proletariat

The laborers in a society who sell their labor.

Bourgeoisie

The owners of the means of production.

Capitalism

An economy where the means of production are privately owned rather than government-owned.

Class consciousness

Awareness of one’s rank in society.

Collective conscience

The communal beliefs, morals, and attitudes of a society.

False consciousness

Beliefs or ideology not in one's own best interest.

Feudal societies

Societies with a strict hierarchical system based on land ownership and protection.

Habitualization

The idea that society is constructed by us and predecessors and followed like a habit.

Thomas theorem

Subjective reality can drive events to develop in accordance with that reality, even if it is not objectively real.

Preindustrial societies

Societies with limited technology and low production of goods.

Industrial societies (repeated)

Societies with mechanized labor to create material goods.

Information societies (repeated)

Societies based on production of nonmaterial goods and services.

Labeling theory

The ascribing of a deviant behavior to someone by members of society.

Sanctions

Means of enforcing rules.

Positive sanctions

Rewards given for conforming to norms.

Negative sanctions

Punishments for violating norms.

Informal sanctions

Sanctions that occur in face-to-face interactions.

Formal sanctions

Official actions enforced by authorities (not listed in notes but implied by “sanctions”).

Hate crimes

Crimes based on a person’s race, religion, or other characteristics.

Legal codes

Codes that maintain formal social control through laws.

Police

The civil force regulating laws and public order at various levels.

Social control

The regulation and enforcement of norms.

Social disorganization theory

A theory that crime occurs in communities with weak social ties and absence of social control.

Strain theory

Theory addressing the relationship between socially accepted goals and the means to achieve them.

Street crime

Crime committed by average people against others, typically in public spaces.

Victimless crime

Illicit activities that do not result in injury to others.

Violent crimes

Crimes based on the use or threat of force.