soc101

Sociological Imagination

The ability to link personal experiences to larger societal structures.

Private Troubles

Issues affecting individuals that are often connected to broader societal problems.

Structural Functionalism

The theory that society is a system of interrelated parts working together to maintain stability.

Mechanical Solidarity

Unity based on shared values and beliefs in pre-industrial societies.

Organic Solidarity

Interdependence based on specialized roles in modern societies.

Anomie

A state of normlessness where individuals feel disconnected due to weakened social bonds.

Conflict Theory

The theory that society is shaped by inequality and conflict between social classes.

Class Conflict

Struggles over wealth and power in society.

Alienation

Workers feeling disconnected from the products they create. / have no control over their labor or outcomes

False Consciousness

When workers believe they can succeed in an unequal system.

Class Consciousness

Awareness of one’s social class, leading to collective action.

Symbolic Interactionism

The theory that society is created through everyday interactions and shared symbols.

Looking-Glass Self

We see ourselves based on how we believe others perceive us.

Self-Concept

Development of identity through social roles.

Definition of the Situation

People act based on their interpretation of social situations.

Socialization

The lifelong process through which individuals learn societal norms and values.

Agents of Socialization

Entities that shape individual beliefs and behaviors, such as family, peers, media, and schools.

Formal Social Control

Enforcement of laws and norms by institutions like police and courts.

Informal Social Control

Social pressure that influences behavior through peer pressure and community standards.

Social Stratification

The ranking of individuals into social hierarchies based on resources like wealth and power.

Social Mobility

The ability to move up or down the social hierarchy.

Social Differentiation

Categorizing people by traits such as race, gender, and age.

World Systems Theory

The theory that global economic and political systems create a hierarchy of nations.

Dependency Theory

The theory that less industrialized nations depend on wealthier nations due to historical exploitation.

Intersectionality

The overlap of social identities leading to unique experiences of discrimination.

Meritocracy

The belief that success is based purely on individual effort and talent.

Looking-Glass Self (Cooley)

Identity is developed through social interactions and perceptions.

Mead's ‘I’ and ‘Me’

Concepts describing the spontaneous self versus the socially aware self.

Positive Sanction

Rewards given for following social norms.

Negative Sanction

Punishments for violations of social norms.

Formal Sanction

Officially imposed penalties for rule violations.

Informal Sanction

Social consequences like gossip or exclusion for not conforming.

Groupthink

The tendency for group members to conform to group attitudes, impairing critical thinking.

Class Conflict (Marx)

Social struggle for resources and power between the bourgeoisie and proletariat.

Role Allocation

Assigning societal roles based on merit and qualifications.

Social Integration

Maintaining societal stability through shared beliefs.

Feminism

A social movement aiming for women's rights and gender equality.

First Wave Feminism

Focused on women's suffrage and voting rights.

Second Wave Feminism

Addressed workplace equality and legal rights.

Intersectionality in Feminism

Understanding how various social identities impact experiences of discrimination.

Holocaust (Groupthink)

A historical example of social control through conformity leading to genocide.

Pamela George Case

An example of how intersectionality can impact justice outcomes.

Social Mobility

The ability of individuals or groups to move within a social hierarchy.

Eurocentrism

The practice of viewing European culture as superior.

Imperialism

The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization.

Social Differentiation

The classification of individuals based on attributes like race and gender.

Education as the Great Equalizer

The belief that education can compensate for inequality in society.

Three-Component Theory (Weber)

Class, status, and power as the three dimensions of social stratification.

Anomie (Durkheim)

A state leading to social instability due to breakdown of social norms.

Labeling Theory

The theory that labels assigned to individuals influence their self-identity and behavior.

Social Control

The means by which society regulates individual behavior.

Cultural Traditions and Poverty

The theory that cultural habits in less developed nations contribute to poverty.

Social Networks

A group of people connected through social ties and interactions.