Sociology chapters 4-6

Nature vs. Nurture Debate

The discussion on the roles of genetics and socialization in determining individual behaviors and traits.

Socialization

The process of learning values, beliefs, and norms of society.

Self

The individual's consciousness or person's identity.

Id, Ego & Superego (Freud)

Four distinct stages of the development of self between birth and adulthood.

Looking-Glass Self (Cooley)

The concept that the self develops through our perception of others.

Preparatory, Play & Game Stage (Mead)

The first stage in Mead's theory involving imitation and mimicking by children.

Generalized Other

Expectations of a network of others; the stereotype of other groups.

Dramaturgy (Goffman)

The analysis of social life through its similarities to theatrical performances.

Impression Management

The effort to control the impression we make on others.

Backstage

The place where individuals rehearse for a performance.

Frontstage

The place where individuals perform in front of others.

Social Construction

A practice that a group constantly upholds and abides by.

Agents of Socialization

Social groups and institutions that provide structured interactions with others.

Hidden Curriculum

Values or behaviors that students learn indirectly over the course of their schooling.

Resocialization

The process of replacing previous values or norms with new ones.

Status

A person's position or rank within a social hierarchy.

Ascribed Status

A status that is inborn and very difficult to change.

Embodied Status

A status generated by physical characteristics.

Achieved Status

A status earned through individual effort or imposed by others.

Master Status

Something that is always relevant to a person's identity.

Stereotyping

Judging others based on preconceived generalizations.

Role

Set of behaviors expected of someone because of their status.

Role Conflict

When two or more roles contradict each other.

Role Strain

When one role contradicts itself.

Role Exit

Leaving a role we are no longer a part of.

Emotional Labor

The process of managing feelings to create a publicly observable display of emotions.

Agency

The ability of the individual to act freely and independently.

Group

Two or more people who share the same interests or attributes.

Crowd

A temporary gathering of people in a public place.

Primary Groups

People most important to ourselves.

Secondary Groups

Groups that are larger and less intimate.

Category

Individuals sharing the same attributes but different identities.

Social Network

The web of direct and indirect ties connecting an individual to others.

Social Ties

Connections between individuals.

Anomie

Weaker social bonds or normlessness.

Virtual Communities

Social groups whose interactions are online.

Group Dynamics

The patterns of interactions between groups of individuals.

Dyad

A two-person social group.

Triad

A three-person social group.

In-Group

A group that one feels loyalty to or identifies with.

Out-Group

A group that one feels in rivalry with.

Reference Group

A group that provides a standard for comparison.

Group Cohesion

The sense of solidarity or loyalty towards a group.

Groupthink

Demand for unanimous agreement within a group.

Social Influence (Peer Pressure)

The impact of a group on others' decisions.

Asch Experiment

A study on the extent to which individuals conform to group opinions.

Milgram Experiment

An experiment demonstrating obedience to authority figures.

Stanford Prison Experiment

A study where college students acted as prisoners or guards.

Social Loafing

When individuals do the bare minimum in group activities.

Social Identity Theory

A theory about group formation.

Power

The ability to control the actions of others.

Coercive Power

Power backed by threat or force.

Influential Power

Power backed by persuasion.

Authority

The right to wield power.

Bureaucracy

A specific type of secondary group.

McDonaldization

George Ritzer's term describing the process of rationalization in society.

Deviance

Behavior that violates societal norms.

Social Control

Formal and informal ways to enforce norms.

Social Control Theory

A theory that aims to increase conformity and decrease deviance.

Structural Strain Theory

A theory bridging structuralism and functionalism.

Innovators

People who accept society's goals but reject the means of achieving them.

Ritualists

People who give up hope in reaching normal goals but continue to obey the rules.

Retreatists

Individuals who live outside societal norms.

Rebels

Individuals who create and work toward their own goals.

Differential Association Theory

The theory that we learn deviance through interactions with deviant individuals.

Labeling Theory

The theory that deviance results from external judgments.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

The phenomenon where one's expectations influence outcomes.

Stereotype Threat

The fear of performing poorly due to stereotypes.

Stereotype Promise

The phenomenon where positive stereotypes lead to positive performances.

Stigma

A social attribute that devalues a person or group.

Passing

Presenting oneself as a member of a different group.

In-Group Orientation

The perspective of not judging others based solely on appearances.

Outsiders

Individuals labeled as deviant and segregated from 'normal' society.

Deviance Avowal

When an individual self-identifies as deviant.

Crime

A violation of norm codified into law.

Criminology

The scientific study of crime and criminal justice.

Violent Crime

Crime involving violence, such as murder and assault.

Property Crime

Crime that does not involve violence, such as theft.

Cybercrime

Crime committed via the internet.

White Collar Crime

Crime committed by high status individuals in their occupations.

Criminal Justice System

Institutions creating and enforcing laws.

Deterrence

Punishment approach based on the threat of harsh penalties.

Retribution

Punishment emphasizing retaliation for a crime.

Incapacitation

A punishment approach that protects society from criminals.

Rehabilitation

Approach that attempts to reform criminals as part of their penalty.

Capital Punishment

The death penalty.

Positive Deviance

Actions initially seen as deviant but later viewed as appropriate or heroic.