Introduction to Sociology: Key Concepts and Theories

Human Condition

Awareness of societal influences on individuals.

Sociology

Study of human society and behavior.

Positivistic Sociology

Theory focused on observable social phenomena.

Cultural Awareness

Understanding diverse cultural perspectives and practices.

Sociological Perspective

Viewing society to enhance self-understanding.

Sociological Imagination

Connecting personal troubles to public issues.

Social Structure

Framework organizing society's relationships and institutions.

Anthropological Diversity

Variety of human cultures and practices.

Historical Transformation

Changes in society over time.

Social Construction

Ideas agreed upon by a group, maintained over time.

Social Order

Norms internalized through socialization processes.

Agency

Individuals' capacity to act independently.

Social Change

Transformations in societal norms and structures.

Social Facts

Aspects shaping individual actions in society.

Organic Solidarity

Cohesion from society's integrated functioning parts.

Social Constraint

Influence of society on individual behavior.

Division of Labor

Specialization leading to social cohesion.

Capitalism

Economic system characterized by private ownership.

Rationalization

Process of making social life more efficient.

Socialization

Process of developing awareness of social norms.

Life Course

Transitions and stages throughout an individual's life.

Primary Socialization

Socialization during infancy to early childhood.

Secondary Socialization

Socialization from childhood through adulthood.

Significant Other

Key individuals influencing one's socialization.

Generalized Other

Understanding societal values during socialization.

Social Self

Foundation of individual consciousness and identity.

I (reflexive)

Self-concept shaped by personal reflection.

Me (social self)

Self-concept influenced by social interactions.

Agents of socialization

Entities that influence personal social development.

Quantitative Methods

Research using statistical data to analyze trends.

Qualitative Methods

Research based on interviews and personal accounts.

Research Process

Steps to conduct and report research findings.

Ethnography

In-depth study of cultures through immersion.

Surveys

Questionnaires designed to gather data from groups.

Experiments

Controlled studies to test hypotheses and effects.

Subjectivist approach

Focus on individual perspectives and contexts.

Constructivism

Social reality created through interpersonal interactions.

Culture

Systems of symbols guiding understanding and meaning.

Emergent Level

Social life transcends individual actions and interactions.

Situated Knowledge

Knowledge limited by context and time.

Objectivist approach

Focus on measurable social phenomena independent of context.

Positivism

Belief that social life can be objectively measured.

Variable-based Analysis

Examines effects of specific variables on outcomes.

Realism

Social processes defined by clear actions in contexts.

Social Structure

Patterns and institutions shaping societal interactions.

Agency

Ability to act independently within social structures.

Nature vs. Nurture

Debate on genetic vs. environmental influences on behavior.

Instincts

Innate behaviors with genetic origins in species.

Looking-glass self

Self-image shaped by others' perceptions and reactions.

Collective consciousness

Shared beliefs and sentiments uniting a society.

Collective Effervescence

Intense communal energy during shared rituals.

Sacred vs. Profane

Distinction between extraordinary and everyday experiences.

Norms

Rules specifying appropriate behavior in social situations.

Folkways

Norms about customs, traditions, and etiquette.

Mores

Norms reflecting morals and values of a group.

Laws

Codified norms enforced by the State.

Sanction

Reward or punishment reinforcing expected behavior.

Positive Sanction

Reward for conformity to social norms.

Negative Sanction

Punishment for non-conformity to social norms.

Formal Sanction

Applied by specific groups or agencies.

Informal Sanction

Less organized punishment or reward.

Deviance

Actions that violate social norms or values.

Anomie

Loss of social norms' hold on behavior.

Relative Deprivation

Feeling of deprivation by comparison with others.

Labeling Theory

People become deviant through attached labels.

Primary Deviation

Actions causing others to label someone deviant.

Secondary Deviation

Acceptance of deviant label leading to further deviance.

Psychiatric Labels

Enduring labels affecting identity post-discharge.

Sneaky Thrills

Excitement from deviant challenges and provocations.

Industrialization

Segregation of work from private life.

Secularization

Decline of religious influence in society.

Urbanization

Increase in population living in cities.

Deinstitutionalization

Reduction of traditional institutions in modernity.

Cultural Pluralism

Contact between diverse cultures leading to conflict.

Structural Pluralism

Division between public and private spheres in modernity.

Public Sphere

Domains like government and healthcare affecting society.

Private Sphere

Domains like family and religion in personal life.

Community

Low differentiation with shared values and norms.

Society

High differentiation with diverse social structures.

Life-worlds

Personal experiences shaping individual perspectives.

Home-world

Individual's sense of belonging and identity.

Modern Identity

Reflective, differentiated, and individuated self-concept.

Cognitive Structure

Framework enabling understanding of one's universe.

Normative Structure

Guidelines for behavior and societal expectations.

Pluralization

Increase in diverse beliefs and practices.

Corporate Structure

Organizations treated as legal entities, not individuals.

Asymmetry of Power

Unequal influence between corporations and individuals.

Sacred Canopy

Religious framework providing meaning and security.

Identity Crisis

Instability in self-concept due to modernity.

Social Mobility

Ability to change social status or class.

Geographical Mobility

Movement of individuals across locations.

Childhood and Adolescence

Distinct life stages emerging post-modernity.

Deinstitutionalization

Reduction of formal structures in adulthood.

Social Solidarity

Shared norms and values uniting a community.

Religious Nationalism

Combining religious beliefs with national identity.

Secularization

Decline in religious influence in public life.

Fundamentalism

Strict adherence to specific religious beliefs.

Alienation

Feeling disconnected from one's own capabilities.

Symbolic Interactionism

Focus on meanings derived from social interactions.

Phenomenology

Study of structures of consciousness as experienced.